scholarly journals Do Changes in Welfare and Health Policy Affect Life Satisfaction of Older Citizens in Europe?

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marinela Olaroiu ◽  
Ioana Dana Alexa ◽  
Wim J. A. van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
European Countries ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Older Citizens

Objectives. Ageing of societies causes serious political concerns on well-being of old citizens and care for the (frail) old. These concerns increased with the economic crisis of 2008. In European countries policy measures were taken to deal with the consequences of this crisis. This study explores the possible effects of these measures on life satisfaction of older citizens. Methods. Life satisfaction was assessed through international surveys in 2007 and 2013 and changes in societal conditions, using eight indicators on demography, welfare, and health, are assessed in 31 European countries in 2006 and in 2014. Data are standardised and based on official, national surveys and statistics. Results. The former found that U-shape relationship between age and life satisfaction disappeared after the crisis. Negative changes in social protection and care arrangements, taken after the economic crisis, are related to low life satisfaction in old citizens. Conclusions. Various societal conditions deteriorated in 2014 as compared to 2006. Policy measures, taken due to the 2008 economic crisis, have changed societal conditions and affected life satisfaction of older citizens negatively. In countries with a rudimentary structure of health and welfare provisions old citizens could not cope with the imposed policy measures.

scholarly journals Life satisfaction of older people in six European countries: findings from the European Study on Adult Well-Being

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Ferring ◽  
Cristian Balducci ◽  
Vanessa Burholt ◽  
Clare Wenger ◽  
F. Thissen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
European Countries ◽  
European Study

scholarly journals Happiness and the role of social protection: how types of social spending affected individuals’ life satisfaction in OECD countries, 1980–2012

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Oda Nordheim ◽  
Pål E. Martinussen
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Social Spending ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Social Expenditure ◽  
Individual Determinants ◽  
Negative Impacts

ABSTRACTThe growing literature on individual determinants of subjective well-being has given little attention to political factors. This paper considers the welfare state, and how social expenditure affects individuals’ self-reported life satisfaction. The statistical analysis uses indicators of subjective well-being, reflecting individuals from OECD-countries between 1980 and 2012, with data gathered from the Eurobarometer and the World Values Survey - which are analysed in comparison. The results suggest that social spending should be studied in terms of underlying branches when addressing its implications. The results find social spending to be uncorrelated with levels of subjective well-being when considered in terms of total levels. When considered as types of spending however, a majority of the elements are found to have significant impacts. The findings show mixed results among the two data sets; however, important similarities are found in the way social spending related to health care and poverty are having positive impacts, and spending associated with unemployment and labour market programmes have negative impacts. As the correlations of the underlying elements affect life satisfaction in different directions, total social spending appears to be uncorrelated with subjective well-being, although the true impact depends on which socialpolicies are being promoted through such spending.

scholarly journals The Resilience of EU Member States to the Financial and Economic Crisis

2019 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 569-598
Author(s):  
Lucia Alessi ◽  
Peter Benczur ◽  
Francesca Campolongo ◽  
Jessica Cariboni ◽  
Anna Rita Manca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Member States ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Country Characteristics

AbstractBased on the JRC conceptual framework for resilience (Manca et al. in Building a Scientific Narrative Towards a More Resilient EU Society, JRC Science for Policy Report, JRC28548, 2017), this study presents an empirical analysis of the resilience of EU Member States to the recent financial and economic crisis. We address two main research questions: (1) Which countries had a resilient outcome, in terms of both shock absorption during the crisis and recovery in its aftermath? (2) Are there pre-determined country characteristics that help to explain resilient performance? To address these questions, we first select 34 key indicators of economic performance and societal well-being, going well beyond the merely economic growth perspective. Resilience is then measured by the properties of the joint dynamic response of these variables to the crisis shock at different time horizons. Our results demonstrate substantial differences between countries in each of the resilience capacities considered. Regression analysis also reveals that certain predetermined characteristics—such as government expenditures on social protection, political stability or a favourable business environment—are strongly associated with resilient outcomes. Our methodology and findings offer lessons for monitoring resilience and for entry points for effective policy interventions in the future.

scholarly journals Ecology and Happiness: how Air Pollution influences Happiness of the Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-69
Author(s):  
D. O. Solonina ◽  
K. E. Oshmarina ◽  
I. O. Karev
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
The Government

Recent decades have seen accelerating interest in key factors of happiness driven by patterns of modern life. While more and more often global communities appeal to wider audiences, highlighting the need to commit to achievement of major goals of sustainable development, elimination of negative footprint and raising the bar of living standards, people are paying more attention to the living conditions they find themselves in. The government is focused on life satisfaction to identify major areas for improvement and to develop effective policy measures. This paper aims to estimate how and to which extent unfavorable ecological situation, primarily low air quality, impact population well-being and happiness. Recent studies point out that environmental conditions considerably influence subjective life satisfaction of an individual. On these pages, we test the relation between air pollution and people’s happiness at country level. Our findings show significantly negative impact, which signals the need to reduce emissions and propose solutions to lower the level of air pollution.

Socio-demographic change, policy impacts and outcomes in social Europe

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Hantrais
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Change ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Demographic Trends ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Demographic Challenges ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Policy Measures

The period since the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957 has been marked by important socio-demographic changes. The population of the European Union has been ageing, family size has declined, and the family unit has become less institutionalized, placing strains on intergenerational relationships. The combination of economic, political and socio-demographic change has posed threats for social protection systems, economic performance and individual well-being, while also offering opportunities for policymakers in EU member states to review policy options, the efficacy of existing policies and the need for reform. This article examines how socio-demographic change and the social problems associated with it are experienced and perceived in different national contexts, and analyses the policy responses of governments. The outcomes of policy measures formulated and implemented by national governments are reviewed in terms of their possible impact on socio-demographic trends. The article argues that socio-demographic change would appear to have an influence on policy measures, but convincing and consistent evidence is difficult to find in support of claims that policy has a determining effect on socio-demographic trends. In conclusion, the potential for further development of social policy at EU level is considered, both in response to socio-demographic challenges and as a means of managing change. Résumé Depuis l'établissement de la Communauté économique européenne en 1957, d'impor-tants changements socio-économiques ont eu lieu. La population de l'Union européenne a vieilli, la taille des familles s'est réduite et la famille en tant qu'unité est devenue moins institutionnalisée exerçant ainsi des pressions sur les relations intergénérationnelles. La combinaison de changements économiques, politiques et démographiques constitue une menace pour les systèmes de protection sociale, les performances économiques et le bien-étre individuel. Toutefois, cela offre également la possibilité pour les décideurs politiques dans l'Union européenne de réex-aminer leur options politiques, l'efficacité des politiques menées et la nécessité de réformes. Cet article examine comment les change-ments socio-démographiques et les problèmes sociaux qui leurs sont associés, sont perçus dans différents contextes nationaux. Il analyse également les réponses politiques que les gouvernements leur ont données. Les résultats des mesures politiques élaborées et mises en place par les gouverne-ments nationaux sont passés en revue en fonction de leur impact possible sur les ten-dances socio-démographiques. Cet article défend l'hypothèse que les changements socio-démographiques semblent avoir eu une influence sur les mesures politiques, alors qu'il est difficile de trouver des preuves convain-cantes et consistantes que la politique ait eu un effet déterminant sur les tendances socio-démographiques. en conclusion, l'éventualité de développements ultérieurs de la politique sociale européenne est envisagée, du point de vue de la réponse aux défis socio-économiques et en tant que moyen de gérer le changement.

scholarly journals Ethics, health policy-making and the economic crisis: a qualitative interview study with European policy-makers

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Brall ◽  
Peter Schröder-Bäck ◽  
Rouven Porz ◽  
Farhang Tahzib ◽  
Helmut Brand
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Moral Concern ◽  
European Policy ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Decision Taking

Abstract Background The economic crisis posed various challenges to policy-makers who had to decide on which health policy measures to focus on and on which to refrain from. The aim of this research was to assess the relevance of ethics and to highlight ethical dimensions in decision-taking by policy-makers with regard to policy and priority-setting in health systems posed by the economic crisis. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with eight European policy-makers from six countries. Results All interviewees recalled difficult and strenuous situations where they had to prioritise between distinct areas to focus on and invest in, for example around choices between prioritising medications, health professional staffing, care specific equipment, or urgent infrastructure issues. Values could be identified which they deemed as important within the policy-making process, such as trust and responsibility. They explicitly expressed the need for ethical tools and assistance in terms of policy advice for reaching morally sustainable decisions in health policy matters. Conclusions The study showed that ethical concepts and values frequently come into play in health policy-making, and that ethics is highly relevant in policy-makers’ daily decision-taking, yet that they lack ethical guidance on what to base their decisions. The study is of relevance since it can provide future decisions on austerity-related issues with an ethical underpinning and could identify areas of moral concern.

Social work in the web of social protection: Contexts and alternatives

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cláudia Priscila C dos Santos ◽  
Tatiane Valduga ◽  
Jorge Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Social Responses ◽  
The Social ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Web

In the context of research in the field of social work, we have carried out an analysis on the relationship between two social policy measures intended to promote the social well-being of its beneficiaries in Portugal. Through a deductive methodology, the results show the impact of the adopted measures aimed at reducing spending on social policies. Conclusions highlight that social workers can collaborate with alternative social responses in an evidence-based manner, enhancing practice, namely, regarding competencies for the realisation of social diagnosis within the context of peoples’ living conditions in order to promote access of citizens to social support.

scholarly journals Family Climate and Life Satisfaction in 12-Year-Old Adolescents in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 5902
Author(s):  
Diego Gomez-Baya ◽  
Alicia Muñoz-Silva ◽  
Francisco Jose Garcia-Moro
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Good Time ◽  
Family Climate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Climate Indicators ◽  
Second Wave

This research aimed to examine the association between life satisfaction and family climate indicators in 12-year-old European adolescents. Cross-sectional data from the second wave of the Children’s Worlds project—an international survey of children’s lives and well-being—were examined. Specifically, data from participating European countries were analyzed: i.e., Estonia, Spain, Germany, England, Romania, Norway, Poland, and Malta. This sample of 9281 adolescents (50.3% girls) filled in self-report measures of life satisfaction and some indicators of family climate. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were performed by country. Furthermore, a confirmatory model was tested to examine the association between family climate and life satisfaction. The results pointed out that having a good time together with family and being treated fairly by parents/carers were the indicators with the greatest positive effects on life satisfaction. In general, a more positive family climate was associated with higher life satisfaction among 12-year-old adolescents in the participating eight European countries.

scholarly journals National Child and Adolescent Health Policies as Indicators of Adolescent Mental Health: A Multilevel Analysis of 30 European Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M. Hendriks ◽  
Meike Bartels ◽  
Gonneke W. J. M. Stevens ◽  
Sophie D. Walsh ◽  
Torbjørn Torsheim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
National Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽  
Using Data

There is little evidence on the association between child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) policies and adolescent mental health. This study examined this association using data on indicators of adolescent mental health—aggressive behavior, life satisfaction, and psychosomatic symptoms—in 172,829 eleven- to fifteen-year-olds from 30 European countries in the 2013-2014 Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study. Individual records were linked to national-level policies for CAMH, controlling for national-level adult violence, adult well-being, and income inequality. Multilevel analyses revealed lower adolescent aggressive behavior in countries with more CAMH policies, even after controlling for other national-level indicators. Adolescent life satisfaction and psychosomatic symptoms were not associated with CAMH policies. Results may inform policy recommendations regarding investments in adolescent mental health.

Equivalent Income and the Well-Being Burden of Disease

2020 ◽  
pp. 107-125
Author(s):  
Erik Schokkaert
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Optimal Size ◽  
Equivalent Income ◽  
Health Budget ◽  
Income Measure ◽  
Definition Of

Economic evaluation of health policy has to go beyond health to focus on a broader concept of individual well-being if it aims at contributing to the debate about the optimal size of the health budget while taking into account economic inequality. The definition of well-being for policy purposes is neither a psychological nor a metaphysical issue, but a normative one. Happiness or subjective satisfaction are not attractive for this purpose, and this chapter proposes an alternative, the so-called equivalent income measure. Equivalent income does respect individual considered opinions about what is a good life. The author shows that the concept can be made operational through an analysis of the well-being burden of disease in various European countries.

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