Toward an Integrated Science of Wellbeing
by Elizabeth Rieger, Robert Costanza, Ida Kubiszewski, Paul Dugdale
There has always been interest in understanding what constitutes the good life and the basis for creating it. Much has been written about health and wellbeing at multiple scales, from the physical and psychological through to the societal and environmental. Wellbeing has been studied from the perspectives of psychology, medicine, economics, social science, ecology, and political science. However, the interconnections between these scales and perspectives havereceived far less attention, even though understanding these interdependencies is critical to the comprehensive understanding of wellbeing and how to improve it.In Toward an IntegratedScience of Wellbeing, the contributing authors connect these diverse scales and perspectives to better guide wellbeing research and public policy. The book is divided into four sections representing each domain of wellbeing research--psychological, human biological, societal, and environmental--but the authors extend their work to consider the interconnections between these domains, seeking integration across all scales throughout. Individual chapters explore topics such as indigenousperspectives and wellbeing, wellbeing in higher education, positive ageing, inequality and wellbeing, health and climate change, and greenspaces and wellbeing.This integrated approachoffers a first step toward a more complete understanding of wellbeing that can propel wellbeing research and initiatives in novel and fruitful directions.
Hardcover
Brand New
Author Biography
Elizabeth Rieger, PhD, is an academic and clinical psychologist in the School of Medicine and Psychology at the Australian National University.Robert Costanza, PhD, is a professor at the Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London.Ida Kubiszewski, PhD, is Associate Professor at the Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London.Paul Dugdale, PhD, is Honorary Professor of Public Health in the School of Medicine and Psychology at the Australian National University and Principal Medical Advisor for Aspen Medical.
Table of Contents
ForewordJigme Y. ThinleyPrefaceElizabeth Rieger, Robert Costanza, Ida Kubiszewski, and Paul DugdaleIntroduction: Toward an Integrated Science of WellbeingElizabeth Rieger, Robert Costanza, Ida Kubiszewski, and Paul DugdaleA. An integrated approach includes psychological wellbeing1. The Integrative Science of Eudaimonic Wellbeing: Past Progress and the Road AheadCarol D. Ryff2. Understanding the Role of Positive Emotions in Wellbeing Through Psychological, Biological, Sociocultural, and Environmental LensesChristian Waugh3. Subjective Wellbeing and Resilience at the Individual Level: A Synthesis Through HomeostasisRobert A. Cummins4. Evolution, Compassion, and WellbeingPaul Gilbert5. Perceived Partner Responsiveness and WellbeingHarry Reis and Jenny Le6. Life Satisfaction, Marital Status, and Partnership Quality: Modelling from AustraliaBruce Chapman and Nabeeh Zakariyya7. Indigenous Australian Understandings of Holistic Health and Social and Emotional WellbeingHelen Milroy, Kate Derry, Shraddha Kashyap, Monique Platell, Joanna Alexi, Ee Pin Chang, and Pat Dudgeon8. Wellbeing in Higher Education: Evidence- and Policy-Based Strategies to Enhance the Wellbeing of People, Place and PlanetBruce K. Christensen and Rebecca E. KennedyB. AND physical health and wellbeing9. Integrating Across Diverse Perspectives to Improve Health and Wellbeing: Obesity as an Illustrative CasePaul Dugdale, Elizabeth Rieger, and Robert Dyball10. Wellbeing and Personal Safety: Lessons from Population-Based Strategies to Reduce the Burden of InjuryRussell L. Gruen, Amit Gupta, and Nobhojit Roy11. An Integrative Perspective on Positive Ageing in Later LifeKane Solly and Nancy Pachana12. Systems of Care and Experience for Dying WellMichael Chapman, Jennifer Philip, and Paul KomesaroffC. AND societal wellbeing13. Wellbeing Frameworks: Emerging Practice, Challenges, and OpportunitiesJacki Schirmer, Robert Tanton, and John Goss14. Weaving Wellbeing into the Fabric of the Economy: Lessons from Bhutan's Journey Towards Gross National HappinessJulia C. Kim, Julie A. Richardson, and Tsoki Tenzin15. America's Crisis of Despair: The Case for a Wellbeing Based Recovery, With Lessons From and for Other CountriesCarol Graham16. Inequality and the Transition from GDP to WellbeingRichard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett17. An Economy Centred on Human and Ecological WellbeingLorenzo Fioramonti and Luca CosciemeD. AND the wellbeing of the built and natural environment18. Natural Capital, Ecosystem Services, and Subjective Wellbeing: A Systematic ReviewDiane Jarvis, Phil Lignier, Ida Kubiszewski, and Robert Costanza19. An Integrated Approach to Health and Wellbeing in Response to Climate ChangeSotiris Vardoulakis and Hilary Bambrick20. Wellbeing and the Built Environment: A Case Study in the Application of Broad-Based Participatory DesignMargarette Leite, Sergio Palleroni, and Barbara Sestak21. Sustainable Wellbeing and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Robert Costanza, Ida Kubiszewski, and Lorenzo Fioramonti
Review
For too long, various dimensions of a rich and multidimensional understanding of wellbeing have, in practice, been researched and discussed in isolation. Bringing together their interconnections offers a more useful and relevant appreciation of how the world works, but also a more hopeful way of envisaging and building a better future." * Dr. Katherine Trebeck, Wellbeing Economy Alliance *
An integrated science of wellbeing taking its cue more from the inclusive vision of Alfred Russell Wallace than from his narrower but more famous co-discoverer of natural selection, Charles Darwin, provides an enlightening and constructive change of perspective. Highly recommended." * Herman Daly, Emeritus Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland *
As the world seeks to build forward better from the devastating socio-economic effects of COVID-19 and advance progress across the Sustainable Development Goals, it is vital to find better ways to measure progress * with the health and wellbeing of people and planet at its core. This publication by Rieger, Costanza, Kubiszewski and Dugdale is a significant addition to this critical debate by arguing for an integrated, scientific approach to wellbeing. Toward an Integrated Science of Wellbeing typifies the acute need for countries and communities to leverage the immense power of science, rigorous analysis, and original thinking to drive the profound change we now need as we work together to achieve a greener, more inclusive, and more sustainable future for all."Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) *
This volume offers a compelling overview of the most recent and relevant developments of the emerging Science of Well-Being. By bringing together findings and frameworks from various disciplines and fields of research and by connecting the economic, social, environmental, relational and personal dimensions of well-being, the book advances the understanding of the topic in a fundamental way. It also provides numerous insights for policy and opens avenues for future research. A must read for all scholars, practitioners and decision-makers committed to improving people's well-being in a sustainable manner." * Romina Boarini, OECD *
Toward an Integrated Science of Wellbeing provides a fascinating and internationalist tour of how wellbeing is being conceptualised and operationalised at the psychological, health and wellbeing, societal and environmental levels. Importantly it integrates interactions across levels and gives readers a vision for societal redesign that provides hope for the future." * Gerry McCartney, Professor of Wellbeing Economy, University of Glasgow *
Highly topical and timely. This systemic approach to well-being, encompassing the personal, the social and the environmental dimensions of a good life, is much needed for tackling the complex threats of our times." * Orsolya Lelkes, PhD *
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