Broadening the Scope of Wellbeing Science : Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Human Flourishing and Wellbeing

This book brings together leading researchers on wellbeing science to provide a multidisciplinary approach to psychological wellbeing with implications for the interconnected societal challenges we face today, including loneliness, neoliberalism, inequality and anthropogenic climate change. Its authors present new and innovative models for understanding, building and improving our understanding of the complex construct of wellbeing. The capacity for individual positive change is explored, as well as the scope for such change to impact on the communities and environments within which we live. Further, the book places individual wellbeing within a broader context that also addresses societal needs and challenges. In doing so, it provides a novel synthesis of individual, societal and environmental perspectives on wellbeing and human flourishing. In the face of an urgent need to build stronger, sustainable and more resilient communities, this book demonstrates how wellbeing science can link the individual with the community through appropriate health and wellbeing policies and offers a guide to a new way for individuals to connect with the world. It will appeal to researchers and professionals working across the fields of psychology, environmental science, public health and public policy. Foreword: From Positive Psychology to a Wellbeing Science: Past Successes and Future Promise Positive Psychology Critiques We Cannot Reduce Positive Psychology to Hedonism Positive Psychology Is Sensitive to Context Positive Psychology Does Not Ignore Negative Experience Positive Psychology Offers Something New The Next Steps in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Science Dynamic Linking of Positive and Negative Evidence-Based Processes Instead of Packages Process and Dimensions at Multiple Levels of Scale Conclusion Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Complex Construct of Wellbeing, Societal Challenges and Potential Solutions Societal Challenges to Wellbeing Emerging Solutions to Societal Challenges References Chapter 2: Shifting the Paradigm of Positive Psychology: Toward an Existential Positive Psychology of Wellbeing Introduction The Universality of Suffering New Developments in Wellbeing Research Within Psychology Contrasting Two Different Approaches to Wellbeing The Thread of Self-Transcendence Implications for Research and Practice Conclusion References Chapter 3: Beyond Us: Building Collective Wellbeing Post-COVID-19: Looking to Context Egalitarianism: Supporting Social Wellbeing Climate Action: Wellbeing Demands It Conclusion References Chapter 4: Towards a Culture of Care for Societal Wellbeing: A Perspective from the Healthcare Sector Reflecting on the Challenges Facing Healthcare Building More Holistic Models of Healthcare Systems-Informed Promotion of Wellbeing A Concrete Example of System Transformation Discussion and Conclusion References Chapter 5: ACTing for Society: The Promotion and Nurturance of Prosocial Behavior at Scale A Solution Based on Intrinsic Values Identification and Prosocial Behavior Conclusion References Chapter 6: The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Human and Planetary Wellbeing: Implications for Promoting Wellbeing, Tackling Anthropogenic Climate Change and Overcoming Biodiversity Loss Introduction Nature Connectedness Extinction of Experience Nature Re-connection A Nature Connected Society So What? Next Steps References Chapter 7: A Modern Framework of Wellbeing from the Perspective of Positive Environments Introduction Wellbeing Positive Environments Elements of a Positive Environment Environmental Resources Wellbeing-Resources Relationship Pro-environmental Enablers Environmental Challenges Sustainable Behaviors Wellbeing as Balance Between Elements of the Positive Environment Future Directions References Chapter 8: A Public Health Perspective on Wellbeing Introduction About Public Health and Health Promotion Wellbeing in Public Health and Health Promotion Health (and Wellbeing) in All Policies Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment (MWIA) Expanding the Role of the HIA and MWIA in Addressing Complex Societal Challenges Conclusion References Chapter 9: The Economics of Individual Wellbeing and the Transformation of Society Introduction Other-Regarding or Self-Interest? There Is an Alternative Social Ties in the Evidence Base Are We Moving in the Right Direction? Recommendations and Conclusions References Chapter 10: Social and Material Foundations of Wellbeing: Beyond the Neoliberal Model of Development Introduction Alienation and Wellbeing Transcending the Precarity of Neoliberal Globalisation: Creating Alternative Material and Social Foundations for Planetary Wellbeing Descent Towards the Abyss Emerging from the Wreckage: So What ... Is To Be Done Concluding Comments: “So What” References Chapter 11: Discussion: Broadening the Scope of Wellbeing Science Shifting the Landscape of Wellbeing Science Applying Psychological Interventions at Higher Levels of Scale Reflecting on the Role of Nature for the Construct of Wellbeing Reflecting on Systems and Their Transformation to Promote Societal Wellbeing References Correction to: Beyond Us: Building Collective Wellbeing Index