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Fundamental Research: Population
Studies
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Two major initiatives are taking place under this
heading:
• Analysis of existing data from longitudinal population-based
studies
• The development of a comprehensive new set of well-being
indicators for use in future research.
Longitudinal studies
In contrast to most population-based research which focuses
on problems, disease or dysfunction, the aim of our work
is to understand the causes and effects of positive functioning
such as happiness and fulfilment, positive mental health
and positive social relationships. Among the large, longitudinal
studies that we are analysing are the National Study of
Health and Development (NSHD), also known as the 1946 Birth
Cohort Study, and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
(ELSA). Analyses of the 1946 birth cohort are linking childhood
material circumstances and psychosocial characteristics
with mental health and psychological well-being in mid-adult
life. Analysis of data from ELSA addresses questions about
the relationship between subjective well-being, cognitive
performance and physical health. See publications.
Development of national indicators of well-being
The development of a coherent and comprehensive set of well-being
measures will be a great advantage to future research in
this area. Felicia Huppert has headed a consortium which
was tasked to develop a Well-being Module for the European
Social Survey. This module is the most comprehensive of
its kind to date. It is built around a framework which regards
well-being as comprising both how one feels and how well
one functions. Both feelings and functionings (sometimes
referred to as hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of well-being
respectively) are examined in relation to individual characteristics,
as well as inter-personal characteristics, ie the way the
individual relates to those around them and to their society
in general.
Items were selected on the basis of an extensive review
of relevant scales and questionnaires. The final product
is the result of the rigorous testing of questions and response
formats undertaken by the ESS team. See publications.
Instrument development
You may download a PDF of the Well-being Module for the European Social Survey
Fundamental
Research:
Neuroscience | Population
studies | Intervention
Development
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