Background: Well-being within this thesis is defined as the multidimensional quality of a person’s life, which can be broken down into ‘subjective’ and ‘objective’ forms. Despite persistent study, researchers fail to agree on the meaning of well-being or how it should be studied. Aim: The first half of the thesis aims to examine the meaning, measurement and theory of well-being. The second half of the thesis aims to investigate the factors associated with subjective well-being (SWB), and the influence of attributes of well-being on preferences for the future. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify measures of well-being for use in adults (general population). The dimensions within these measures were organised into a framework using thematic analysis. Further, the theories underpinning these measures were identified and described. Fixed-effect regression models were used to study the factors important for SWB using data from a longitudinal (1996 – 2013) cohort of middle aged-older adults in the United States (n = 2049). Finally, preferences for life in the future were estimated in a sample of young ‘emergent adults’ (n =140) in the United Kingdom, using discrete choice experiments (DCEs). Results: The systematic review identified 99 measures of well-being, which included 196 distinct dimensions. These measures were influenced by a diverse range of theories (n = 98). Mental health, social integration and satisfaction with work had a significant impact on each of the SWB outcome variables (life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect) in the fixed-effects analysis. The DCE indicated that stated preferences for life in the future among emergent adults were particularly driven by the prospect of social support from family and an aversion to experiencing mental health difficulties. Conclusion: This thesis has investigated inconsistencies in how well-being is understood, measured and studied. In response to this, a framework has been developed which organises the many measures available around key themes. Following on from the fixed-effects analysis and the DCE, future empirical research should be undertaken to investigate the interdependence of well-being and mental health.

This thesis is a social psychological study on ideas of well-being in later life by older adults, staff members, and volunteers involved in community support. Social representations theory constitutes the theoretical lens through which social constructions of well-being are examined. This project constitutes an ethnography of how groups represent wellness in later life, and how they evaluate receiving and giving support. Three day centres and a scheme of home visits of a voluntary organisation in the United Kingdom were the main sites of this study. Participant observation and 54 in-depth interviews were the main data sources. The study shows that both clients and practitioners understand wellness in later life as the result of an active, independent, and gainful living. This idea was shared amongst all groups in both settings, indicating the prevalence of a hegemonic view of wellness. This view is present in public understandings and professional discourse on ageing well. Nevertheless, clients and practitioners also challenged this ideology of wellness by representing ageing both as experience of gains (e.g. vitality and autonomy) and limitations (e.g. frailty and social isolation). These views are represented via two binary oppositional themes: activity-passivity and independence dependence. Moreover, clients and practitioners highlight the importance of health, adaptation, and relationships of support to attain well-being in old age. The concept of canonic themata and the evidence of a complex representational field around the theme of ageing constitute important empirical insights with which to understand the sharedness of well-being amongst all groups. Differences were observed in the way in which clients and practitioners position themselves – the first groups as receivers of help, whereas the second one as providers of care. Moreover, clients represent themselves as active and independent despite being recipients of support. In negotiating their views of independence, they preserve a positive sense of identity and accept help from others. Cognitive polyphasia also characterises thinking about well-being: physical, psychological, social, and material elements interact to promote wellness. The study also sheds light on how communities of support make sense of their practices. The concept of representational project offered a rich theoretical insight into how groups represent well-being promotion in the charity. Both clients and practitioners represent well-being promotion as actions to preserve functionality and participation in the community. Therefore, two set of actions were mentioned in both settings: socio-emotive and practical support. Implications for well-being policies and community support were addressed.

This dissertation aims to address the importance of financial literacy within the capability approach framework in the context of microfinance institutions’ clients in Indonesia, by raising four main issues. The first touches on financial capability and specifically focuses on its conceptualisation, predictors, and relationship with quality of life. A participatory method was employed to understand whether financial literacy is viewed as an important element of financial capability. An index of financial capability was built to investigate factors predicting financial capability and the relationship between financial capability and quality of life. The results suggest that socio-demographic discrepancies in financial capability exist, and financial capability is relevant for the improvement of quality of life. The remaining three issues centre on the instrumental value of financial literacy. In the second part, it is proposed that financial literacy is a relevant conversion factor. Within the capability approach literature itself, there is a lack of empirical discussion on conversion factors. It can be concluded that financial literacy is associated positively with conversion rate efficiency. The third research topic examined is the role of financial literacy in household financial decision-making authority. Previous studies have used household decision-making authority as a reflection of agency, which is an important building block of the capability approach. This thesis focuses on financial decision making, which is often perceived as “difficult”, “boring”, and “full of uncertainties”. It is suggested that the relationship between financial literacy and household financial decision-making authority is complex and contingent upon various factors. The role of financial literacy in the relationship between financial decision-making authority and subjective well-being is the last topic investigated in this dissertation. While decision-making authority has been argued as a reflection of human agency and source of power within households, it can also be perceived as a burden. These two interpretations of authority lead to an unclear relationship between household financial decision-making authority and subjective well-being. While a negative relationship between household financial decision-making authority and subjective well-being can be found among those with low levels of financial literacy, a similar correlation is absent among those who score high in financial literacy. This suggests that skills are important for people to value agency.

Contrairement à l'état d'esprit traditionnel (TMS) -la prise de conscience, les processus de mentaux contrôlés, et la manipulation analytique-logique des symboles-un état d'esprit alternatif (AMS) est considéré comme étant un processus mental pré-conscient (c'est-à-dire associatif, imaginatif, intuitif) et la réflexion holistique (Davis-Floyd et Arvidson 1997, Dane et Pratt 2007, Hodgkinson et al 2009). Depuis Platon, l'Occident a considéré le TMS comme la marque de l'intelligence et tout simplement de la cognition. Pourtant, ces dernières décennies, diverses recherches ont exploré des compléments et/ou alternatives aux systèmes de la cognition analytique logique (par exemple, Damasio 1994, Nisbett et al. 2001, Wagner et Sternberg 1985). L'état d'esprit alternatif-un exemple de ces systèmes alternatifs-a été principalement étudié pour ses bienfaits individuels, alors que notre recherche se concentre sur ses bénéfices organisationnels. Pour ce faire, nous avons mis en place une pratique bi-hebdomadaire de méditation pour provoquer une transition vers l'AMS chez les acteurs organisationnels. Nous avons fait l'hypothèse générale que suite au passage de TMS à l'AMS, les acteurs organisationnels bénéficieront d'une production créative et d'un bien-être accrus. Les expériences empiriques ont été réalisées avec 144 participants auto-sélectionnés au sein de deux organisations-une entreprise et une autorité municipale-au Canada, et d'une autre-administration d'une école de commerce-en France. Chacune des trois expériences s'est composée de huit séances bi-hebdomadaires de 20 minutes de méditation guidée pour le groupe expérimental (Fredrickson et al. 2008, Oz et al. 2009, Sears & Kraus 2009); une technique de relaxation a été utilisée pour le groupe témoin (Roausch et al. 2006). / In contrast to the traditional mindset (TMS)-the conscious awareness, controlled mental processes, and analytical-logical manipulation of symbols-an alternative mindset (AMS) is viewed as the pre-conscious mental processes (i.e. associative, imaginative, intuitive) and holistic thinking (Davis- Floyd and Arvidson, 1997; Dane and Pratt, 2007; Hodgkinson et al 2009). Since Plato, the West has considered TMS as the hallmark of intelligence and simply of any cognition. Yet, in recent decades various research explored complementary and/or alternative to analytical-logical cognition mental systems (eg., Damasio, 1994; Nisbett & al., 2001; Wagner & Sternberg, 1985). The alternative mindset-an array of such systems-was primarily explored for its individual benefits, while our research focuses on organizational benefits. To do this, we used a bi-weekly meditative practice to induce an AMS in organizational actors. We hypothesized that following the shift from TMS to AMS, organizational actors will benefit from enhanced creative production and well-being. Empirical experiments were conducted with 144 self- selected participants within two organizations-a business and a municipal government-in Canada (measuring levels of well-being and creativity) and one in France-a business school administration-(measuring levels of well-being), consisting of eight bi-weekly 20 minute sessions of guided meditation (Fredrickson et al. 2008, Oz et al. 2009, Sears & Kraus 2009; for the control group a "placebo" technique of relaxation was used; Rausch et al., 2006).

abstract: ABSTRACT The major hypothesis tested in this research is that the psychological well-being and life satisfaction of elderly adult individuals can be predicted from religiosity (organizational and non-organizational religious beliefs and behaviors). The sample consisted of 142 adults between the ages of 65-90, with the majority in the 65-70 age group (48%) (SD = 1.176). The entire sample resides in the state of Arizona, in both urban and rural communities. Participants were administered a questionnaire which requested demographic information, and three instruments: the Duke University Religion Index (the DUREL), and the Affect Balance Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index - Z (LSIZ). Correlational and Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relation between these adults' psychological well-being, life satisfaction and their religiosity. Independent t-tests were also used to examine possible sex, ethnic and religiosity effects on psychological well-being and life satisfaction. Findings revealed that psychological well-being and life satisfaction are higher when religiosity is higher, regardless of sex or ethnicity. These findings are consistent with those of previous research in this field. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Educational Psychology 2012

What impact do social media have on mental well-being and how can design become a tool for increasing awareness among users? To interact on social media means to find new ways of seeking a sense of belonging, of being part of a society that can validate our existence and attribute value to what we decide to share. But what happens when there is a gap separating the ways in which we create value and sense of selfworth online and offline? How does it impact our mental well-being and the capacity to become a productive element of our society? Like Me is a speculative design project that explores the gap between the virtual and the real, while researching how it impacts our mental well-being and sense of self-worth in society. This Bachelor’s thesis delves into this topic through design methods and visual communication, resulting in a short fictional film about a speculative scenario. The aim of this research is to raise a discussion about embracing what is to come, finding a new sense of awareness to improve our impact on social sustainability. KEYWORD

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Human enhancement continues to be hotly debated by both 'professionals' and academics, and increasingly also by the general public. This is no surprise, given that the idea of making human beings better - individually and collectively - has existed for centuries. Parents appear to be especially receptive to new ways of improving the qualities of their offspring - first and foremost their cognitive abilities - in the hope of giving them the best life possible. At the same time, children as not-yet autonomous persons are vulnerable to the decisions made on their behalf. This dynamic has led to a long-running philosophical debate about the moral permissibility of paediatric enhancement. Unfortunately, this debate has somewhat stalled at the point of disagreement on general permissibility, with both sides strongly relying on the notion of well-being to support their respective positions. Rapid progress in the sciences, including the development of the new CRISPR-Cas9 technique, holds much promise for effective cognitive enhancement in children, and this makes proper ethical assessment an urgent matter. Arguing that enhancement is here to stay and that prohibition is not a feasible option in a globalised world, I suggest that the debate should instead focus on what cognitive enhancement in children is likely to mean for the welfare of children. Addressing the question of whether enhancement of intellectual abilities in children is likely to lead to the creation of 'superhuman' disabled children - that is, children with superior or even yet-unseen cognitive capacities but a disability in some other sense (medical, social or both) - I draw on evidence from various fields, including education, law, disability studies and sociology, to demonstrate that the positive effect of cognitive ability on individual well-being is frequently overestimated and can thus not serve as a moral justification for cognitive enhancement. Furthermore, the current legal environment with regard to children with higher intellectual abilities gives cause for concern about the well-being of future cognitively enhanced children and urges us to address prevailing shortcomings in educational provision before deliberately engaging in the creation of more cognitive potential. Suggesting that any moral judgment about cognitive enhancement should focus strongly on the ends pursued, I argue that the welfare of children is endangered not so much by the new possibilities and methods of enhancement as by the failure to fully appreciate children's need for the provision of appropriate opportunities to match their individual abilities.

No description available.

There is a plethora of research circulating in the academic word related to Indigenous hunters and how industrial development is affecting their traditional lifestyles; of particular concern are the toxic exposures derived from these industrial activities as well as the effects these are having on animal and human health. However, relatively little research exists on the ways in which non-Indigenous hunters are being impacted by and perceive the environmental risks posed by industrial activities (i.e., mining contaminants). The purpose of this study was two-fold: to investigate whether there is a relationship between hunting practices of non-Indigenous hunters and their health status and personal wellbeing as well as examining how the perception of environmental risk associated with mining contaminants might affect the hunting practices, health and wellbeing of non-Indigenous hunters living in northeastern Ontario communities. The study involved survey questionnaires that were distributed in four northeastern Ontario communities (Onaping Falls, Porcupine, Wawa, and Hearst) where a total of 390 hunters, non-hunters, and former hunters voluntarily participated. Findings from this study indicated a few relationships between hunting practice variables (discarding/giving away animals and hunting near mine or tailings sites) and general health, physical health, and physical health readiness variables but no relationships with personal wellbeing. Furthermore, significant associations were found between two hunting practice variables (hunting near mine tailings and discarding/giving away hunted animals) and the two risk perception variables. In addition, worrying about mining contaminants was significantly associated with reduced levels of mental health and personal wellbeing. Despite the significant associations, few hunters took actions as a result of their concern or worry over mining contaminants although it must be noted that only a minority of hunters always or very frequently hunted near mine or tailings sites. Either hunters did not perceive the risks as being high or they merely have a high risk tolerance. Further research is required to delve deeper into the issues explored in this research study.