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Well-being and Social Policy 29 th June 2005 Social Policy Association Conference, University of Bath Nic Marks he

Well-being and Social Policy 29 th June 2005 Social Policy Association Conference, University of Bath Nic Marks head of well-being research new economics foundation. What do we mean by well-being? How is it measured? nef ’s well-being manifesto

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Well-being and Social Policy 29 th June 2005 Social Policy Association Conference, University of Bath Nic Marks he

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  1. Well-being and Social Policy 29th June 2005 Social Policy Association Conference, University of Bath Nic Marks head of well-being research new economics foundation

  2. What do we mean by well-being? How is it measured? nef’swell-being manifesto Some data to support the policy ideas What is happening politically in the UK about well-being What other projects nef are up to Well-being and Social Policy

  3. What do we mean by “well-being”? Well-being = People’s experience of their quality of life WHO definition of health as: “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity”: 1946

  4. GDP and Life Satisfaction A Challenge to the Economic Status Quo

  5. Well-being data Most data is limited to Life Satisfaction, but it is pretty robust and useful. Converges with other measures Predicts people’s behaviour consistently Many predictors are malleable to policy But note averages ‘hide’ a lot of variance. Micro-data illuminates this as well as challenging set-point theory & adaptation.

  6. Micro data: Widowhood and Well-being Year of Widowhood

  7. Micro data: Divorce and Well-being Year of Divorce

  8. Micro data: Marriages and Well-being

  9. Micro data: Widowhood and Well-being Data from GSOP – German Panel Data – Rich Lucas Lucas, R. E., Clark, A. E., Georgellis, Y., & Diener, E. (2003). Re-examining adaptation and the setpoint model of happiness: Reactions to changes in marital status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 527-539. Lucas, R. E. (in press). Time does not heal all wounds. A longitudinal study of reaction and adaptation to divorce. Psychological Science.

  10. A theory of personal well-being Sonja Lyubomirsky – The Architecture of Happiness

  11. Why is well-being important for politics - right now? Health Impacts: Happy people live up to 7 years longer Enterprise Impacts: 2nd Dimension of Development and Curiosity => Entrepreneurship & Creativity Citizenship Impacts: Happy people are more generous, altruistic and sociable BUT beware of some independence!

  12. Why is well-being important for Sustainable Development? Material goods little positive impact on people’s well-being. Materialistic values appear to undermine people’s well-being. De-materialize and be happy? Possible WIN – WIN situation.

  13. Well-being and Policy nef’swell-being manifesto: launched Sept 2004 covered eight areas of policy strategy was ‘to start a debate’ designed to be ‘contagious’ Downloadable from: www.neweconomics.org

  14. nef’s well-being manifesto Measure what matters Create a well-being economy Reclaim our time Flourishing schools Complete health for the nation Invest in the very early years Authentic advertising (and discourage materialism) Community contribution

  15. 1. Measure what matters Well-being matters, so we’d better measure it. National well-being accounts. Local Government well-being audits. Regional Development Agencies – well-being economies. Targeted academic and social research.

  16. 1. Will Measurement Matter? Personal Impacts: Informational – increasing awareness and personal choice. Social Impacts: Encourage shifts in Cultural values. Inform Policy changes Environmental Impacts: Strategic and Longer Term

  17. 2: Well-being Economy & Good Jobs Source: “Good Jobs”; Nic Marks; CIPD report on “Employee well-being” June 2005; www.cipd.co.uk

  18. 2: Well-being economy & Unemployment Source: Winkelmann & Winkelmann: Why are the unemployed so unhappy?: Economica, 65, 1-15

  19. 3: Effect of Long Hours Source: “Good Jobs”; Nic Marks; CIPD report on “Employee well-being” June 2005; www.cipd.co.uk

  20. 4: Changing Schools? Source: Power & potential of well-being indicators, Nic Marks; nef 2004

  21. 5: Health and Well-being “Complete Health” for the Nation NHS to re-focus on its true purpose “complete physical, mental and social well-being” – WHO 1948. Interconnection between mental health and prevention NHS should become a “National Health System” involving patients looking after their own well-being.

  22. 5: Health and Well-being Longevity and Happiness Happy people live up to 7 years longer, which is a larger positive effect than body mass, smoking and physical exercise are negative. The Unhappy-Well Unhappy people have a lower ‘pain threshold’ and are more likely to consider themselves ill. Also happier people absorb more health information. Increased Risks Risk of cardiovascular disease is estimated as twice as high for people with depression, and 50% higher for the generally unhappy.

  23. Health warning nef Health Warning Being HAPPY is seriously good for you and others around you. Happy and fulfilled people live up to seven years longer, have stronger social networks and are engaged in their communities.

  24. 6: Children and Well-being Invest in the very early years Babies need a lot of individual attention Parenthood is stressful Too much nursery care can have negative well-being effects on child. Specific Policy Recommendations: Shared parental leave for first 2 years Supportive home visits for new parents Reduce ratio of nursery staff:babies to 1:2 from current policy of 1:3

  25. 7: Effect of Materialism? Source: “High Price of Materialism”; Tim Kasser; 2002; Bradford Books, MIT Press, USA

  26. 8: Social Well-being Measuring Social well-being Belongingness Trusting others and feeling others care for you Pro-social behaviour / Contribution Feelings about Societal development Understanding or making sense of Societal Change Following Corey Keyes

  27. Social Well-being

  28. Sustainable Development Strategy – “Securing the future” Scottish Executive Mental Health Agenda Children and Commercialisation Well-being & UK politics

  29. Health, Needs and Happiness - Dumfries and Galloway Sustainable Well-being – WWF and nef European Social Survey – 2006/7 – with Felicia Huppert, University of Cambridge nef and well-being indicators

  30. What do we mean by well-being? How is it measured? Eight policy ideas Some data to support them! What is happening politically in the UK about well-being What other projects nef are up to Well-being and Social Policy

  31. What can you do? Measure what matters. Assess the well-being effects of current and potential policies. Consider the well-being implications of all social policy. Don’t forget future generations! Well-being and Social Policy

  32. Contact Details: Nic Marks www.neweconomics.org nic.marks@neweconomics.org

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