scholarly journals Recomposing consumption: defining necessities for sustainable and equitable well-being

2017 ◽  
Vol 375 (2095) ◽  
pp. 20160379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Gough
Keyword(s):  
Final Section ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Consumer Preference ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Demand Reduction ◽  
Dual Strategy ◽  
Argument Proceeds ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Basic Level

This paper focuses on consumption in the affluent world and the resulting level, composition and distribution of consumption-based emissions. It argues that public policy should foster the recomposition of consumption, while not disadvantaging poorer groups in the population. To combine these two imperatives entails making a distinction between goods and services that are necessary for a basic level of well-being, and those that are surplus to this requirement. The argument proceeds in six stages. First, the paper outlines a theory of universal need, as an alternative conception of well-being to consumer preference satisfaction. Second, it proposes a dual strategy methodology for identifying need satisfiers or necessities in a given social context. Then, it applies this methodology to identify a minimum bundle of necessary consumption items in the UK and speculates how it might be used to identify a maximum bundle for sustainable consumption. The next part looks at corporate barriers and structural obstacles in the path of sustainable consumption. The following part reveals a further problem: mitigation policies can result in perverse distributional outcomes when operating in contexts of great inequality. The final section suggests four ecosocial public policies that would simultaneously advance sustainable and equitable consumption in rich nations. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Material demand reduction’.

scholarly journals METHODICAL APPROACH TO THE ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT OF THE TOURIST MARKET OF THE REGIONS OF UKRAINE

2020 ◽  
pp. 209-215
Author(s):  
Khrystyna Meleshko
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
International Tourism ◽  
Travel Agents ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Slow Development ◽  
Methodical Approach ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Travel Abroad

Introduction. The tourism industry is one of the most promising sectors of the economy, as international revenues consist of the costs of incoming tourists, including payments to carriers for transport, the cost of temporary accommodation, prepayment for goods and services in the host country. The development of the tourism industry encourages the improvement of its own infrastructure, the creation of new jobs. In the world's leading tourist centers, revenues from international tourism are one of the most important components in the country's economy. For example, in Spain, Italy, Turkey in 2018, revenues from international tourism amounted to 12% of GDP, in the UK - 11%, in Egypt - 15%, in Greece - 20% of GDP. At the same time, Ukraine's direct contribution of tourism to the country's GDP was only 1.5%, which suggests that tourism is an undervalued asset. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to develop a methodological approach to assessing the level of management of the tourism market of the regions of Ukraine. Method (methodology). The methodological basis of the article consisted of general scientific methods - the method of generalization, comparison and description, methods of data systematization, statistical analysis of data. Results. The conducted diagnostics of the processes of formation and management of the tourist market of the regions of Ukraine gives grounds to assert that powerful tourist centers have been formed in Ukraine, the quantitative indicators of which do not depend on the forms of ownership; the efficiency of the tourism industry in the region largely depends on the number of travel agents, tour operators, their income, the number of sold tourist vouchers, the total number of tourists and the number of tourists served; in all regions of Ukraine, tour operators and travel agents are mainly focused on providing services to citizens of Ukraine for travel abroad, this fact is a consequence of too slow development of domestic tourism; the share of foreign tourists in the tourist flow of Ukraine is constantly decreasing, despite the obvious positive changes in the development of infrastructure, level of service, image factors. The explanation for this is the gradual increase in the number of Ukrainian citizens who choose and can afford to travel abroad due to the introduction of a visa-free regime with a number of countries and the growth of financial well-being of the average household.

scholarly journals Limited, considered and sustainable consumption: The (non)consumption practices of UK minimalists

2021 ◽  
pp. 146954052110396
Author(s):  
Amber Martin-Woodhead
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ethical Consumption ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Consumption Practices ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Bare Minimum

Minimalism is an increasingly popular lifestyle movement in western economies (predominantly in the USA, Japan and Europe) that involves voluntarily reducing consumption and limiting one’s possessions to a bare minimum. This is with the intention of making space for the ‘important’ (potentially immaterial) things that are seen to add meaning and value to one’s life. Drawing on interviews with minimalists in the UK, this article reveals that minimalists practice sustainable (non)consumption via limiting their consumption. This is achieved by actively buying less, using up and maintaining what is owned, and, when objects are acquired, only practising highly intentional, considered and (sometimes) ethical consumption. For some, such practices are predominantly based on strong ethical and environmental motivations or are seen as a positive ‘by-product’ of their minimalist lifestyles. Whilst for others, their motivations are primarily aligned to personal well-being. The article subsequently argues that the limited and considered practices of minimalist consumption can be seen as sustainable practices in outcome, if not always in intent.

A positive psychology study and intervention on the well-being of French PhD students in biology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Marais ◽  
Rebecca Shankland ◽  
Pascale Haag ◽  
Robin Fiault ◽  
Bridget Juniper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Human Costs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Control ◽  
Health And Well Being

In France, little data are available on mental health and well-being in academia, and nothing has been published about PhD students. From studies abroad, we know that doing a PhD is a difficult experience resulting in high attrition rates with significant financial and human costs. Here we focused on PhD students in biology at university Lyon 1. A first study aimed at measuring the mental health and well-being of PhD students using several generalist and PhD-specific tools. Our results on 136 participants showed that a large fraction of the PhD students experience abnormal levels of stress, depression and anxiety, and their mean well-being score is significantly lower than that of a British reference sample. French PhD student well-being is specifically affected by career uncertainty, perceived lack of progress in the PhD and perceived lack of competence, which points towards possible cultural differences of experiencing a PhD in France and the UK. In a second study, we carried out a positive psychology intervention. Comparing the scores of the test and control groups showed a clear effect of the intervention on reducing anxiety. We discuss our results and the possible future steps to improve French PhD students’ well-being.

Social Protection, Adolescent Well-Being, and Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suman Verma
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Social Protection Systems ◽  
Cycle Of Poverty ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Effective social protection policies are crucial to realizing adolescents’ rights, ensuring their well-being, breaking the cycle of poverty and vulnerability, and helping them realize their full developmental potential. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have extended social security coverage to ensure basic protections—while continuing to develop social protection systems. Social protection for LMIC adolescents in the context of gross violations of their basic rights is examined. Prevalence, consequences of protection rights violations, and the role and impact of social protection programs in ensuring enhanced opportunities for development and well-being among young people are discussed. Results demonstrate direct impacts (e.g., increased income, consumption, goods and services access; greater social inclusion; reduced household stress). LMICs need integrated social protection policy and program expansion if the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to be realized. With adolescent-centered policies and investments, governments can help adolescents realize their rights to a fulfilling and productive life.

GA: Armani’s Giorgio Armani

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Brooker ◽  
Margaret Hayward
Keyword(s):  
Final Section ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Shop ◽  
The Third ◽  
Haute Couture ◽  
Fashion Designer ◽  
The Body Shop ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Career Woman

The Armani high-fashion example illustrates the importance of adaptive rational methods in his founding and developing of an iconic high-fashion firm. Armani adapted stylistically to fashion’s new times in the 1970–80s by creating a new style catering for the career woman. His stylistic adaptation is compared with that of another famous Italian fashion designer, Versace, who instead modernized haute couture fashion and created a succession of glamourous styles. Both leaders exploited the same opportunity but in different ways. The third section compares these leaders’ legacies in the 1990s–2000s and assesses from a long-term perspective how capably they had used adaptive rational methods. The final section shifts the focus from fashion to the cosmetics industry and from Italy to the UK. Anita Roddick used adaptive rational methods to establish The Body Shop corporation in the 1970s–80s. However, she then abandoned rational methods with dire results for her corporation in the 1990s.

scholarly journals Medical Students’ Experience of Mindfulness Training in the UK: Well-Being, Coping Reserve, and Professional Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Malpass ◽  
Kate Binnie ◽  
Lauren Robson
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
General Medical Council ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
The Body ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
The Uk

Medical school can be a stressful experience for students, resulting in stress-related mental health problems. Policy recommendations from the General Medical Council (GMC), the body responsible for improving medical education in the UK, recommend the use of mindfulness training to increase well-being and resilience to stress. Students participating in an eight-week mindfulness training between Autumn 2011 and Spring 2015 were invited to complete a free text survey at the end of their mindfulness course. In addition, six qualitative interviews were conducted lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Interviews used a topic guide and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used the framework approach to analyse the data. Students reported a new relationship to their thoughts and feelings which gave a greater sense of control and resiliency, an ability to manage their workload better, and more acceptance of their limitations as learners. The small group context was important. Students described improved empathy and communication skills through building inner awareness of thoughts and feelings, noticing judgments, and developing attentive observation. The findings show how resiliency and coping reserve can be developed within medical education and the role of mindfulness in this process. We present a conceptual model of a learnt cycle of specific vulnerability and describe how MBCT intercepts at various junctures in this self-reinforcing cycle through the development of new coping strategies that embrace an “allowed vulnerability.”

scholarly journals Psychosocial impact on frontline health and social care professionals in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e047353
Author(s):  
Henry Aughterson ◽  
Alison R McKinlay ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Personal Growth ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Communication Challenges ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesTo explore the psychosocial well-being of health and social care professionals working during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignThis was a qualitative study deploying in-depth, individual interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used for coding.ParticipantsThis study involved 25 participants from a range of frontline professions in health and social care.SettingInterviews were conducted over the phone or video call, depending on participant preference.ResultsFrom the analysis, we identified 5 overarching themes: communication challenges, work-related stressors, support structures, personal growth and individual resilience. The participants expressed difficulties such as communication challenges and changing work conditions, but also positive factors such as increased team unity at work, and a greater reflection on what matters in life.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence on the support needs of health and social care professionals amid continued and future disruptions caused by the pandemic. It also elucidates some of the successful strategies (such as mindfulness, hobbies, restricting news intake, virtual socialising activities) deployed by health and social care professionals that can support their resilience and well-being and be used to guide future interventions.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Training, Morale and Well-Being Among the UK Renal Workforce

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Beckwith ◽  
Ailish Nimmo ◽  
Manuela Savino ◽  
Haresh Selvaskandan ◽  
Matthew Graham-Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals “At Least until the Second Wave Comes…”: A Twitter Analysis of the NHS and COVID-19 between March and June 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3943
Author(s):  
Kathy McKay ◽  
Sarah Wayland ◽  
David Ferguson ◽  
Jane Petty ◽  
Eilis Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Profound Impact ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Twitter Analysis ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Media Narratives ◽  
Second Wave

In the UK, tweets around COVID-19 and health care have primarily focused on the NHS. Recent research has identified that the psychological well-being of NHS staff has been adversely impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate narratives relating to the NHS and COVID-19 during the first lockdown (26 March–4 July 2020). A total of 123,880 tweets were collated and downloaded bound to the time period of the first lockdown in order to analyse the real-time discourse around COVID-19 and the NHS. Content analysis was undertaken and tweets were coded to positive and negative sentiments. Five main themes were identified: (1) the dichotomies of ‘clap for carers’; (2) problems with PPE and testing; (3) peaks of anger; (4) issues around hero worship; and (5) hints of a normality. Further research exploring and documenting social media narratives around COVID-19 and the NHS, in this and subsequent lockdowns, should help in tailoring suitable support for staff in the future and acknowledging the profound impact that the pandemic has had.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document