Measuring happiness in the social sciences: An overview

2021 ◽  
pp. 144078332199165
Author(s):  
Gabriela Delsignore ◽  
Alejandra Aguilar-Latorre ◽  
Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Sociology Of Emotions ◽  
Quantitative Metrics ◽  
Human Happiness ◽  
The Social ◽  
Eudaimonic Happiness

Social needs are universal and their fulfilment is considered to be a prerequisite for happiness and well-being. Currently, the assertion that income or revenue alone are insufficient to explain inequality of well-being and happiness in the evaluation of social policies is becoming ever more widespread in the social sciences. Therefore, numerous quantitative metrics mostly based on univariable scales have been created over the last sixty years to measure well-being, quality of life, or happiness. Based on a systematic review, this article compiles several measurement instruments of happiness and human well-being, and reflects that all of them measure and concentrate more on hedonic than eudaimonic happiness. Finally, it contemplates the need to develop a multidimensional model based on the sociology of emotions that includes social relationships and the complexity of human happiness, focusing more on eudaimonic rather than hedonic happiness.

scholarly journals Technologies for an Aging Society: A Systematic Review of “Smart Home” Applications

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (01) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. K. Hensel ◽  
G. Demiris
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Smart Home ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Smart Homes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
Aging Society ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Related

Summary Objectives A “smart home” is a residence wired with technology features that monitor the well-being and activities of their residents to improve overall quality of life, increase independence and prevent emergencies. This type of informatics applications targeting older adults, people with disabilities or the general population is increasingly becoming the focus of research worldwide. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of health related smart home projects and discuss human factors and other challenges. MethodsTo cover not only the medical but also the social sciences and electronics literature, we conducted extensive searches across disciplines (e.g., Medline , Embase , CINAHL, PsycINFO, Electronics and Communications Abstracts, Web of Science etc.). In order to be inclusive of all new initiatives and efforts in this area given the innovativeness of the concept, we manually searched for relevant references in the retrieved articles as well as published books on smart homes and gerontechnology Results A total of 114 publications (including papers, abstracts and web pages) were identified and reviewed to identify the overarching projects. Twenty one smart home projects were identified (71% of the projects include technologies for functional monitoring, 67% for safety monitoring, 47% for physiological monitoring, 43% for cognitive support or sensory aids, 19% for monitoring security and 19% to increase social interaction). Evidence for their impact on clinical outcomes is lacking. Conclusions The field of smart homes is a growing informatics domain. Several challenges including not only technical but also ethical ones need to be addressed.

scholarly journals Correlation between subjective well-being and quality of life in elderly

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-135
Author(s):  
Nataša Egeljić-Mihailović ◽  
Jelena Pavlović ◽  
Duška Jović ◽  
Darija Knežević
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Financial Status ◽  
The Social ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Life Scale

Introduction. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between subjective well-being and quality of life of the elderly in relation to their demographic characteristics, health, social and financial status. Methods. The study sample was comprised of 159 subjects of both sexes and of older age. The respondents underwent research in Banja Luka in the premises of the Association of Pensioners of the Republic of Srpska, senior citizens' clubs when coming to some of financial institutions to get help, to open bank accounts etc., as well as in the premises where pensioners gather to socialize and communicate. The survey questionnaire developed for the purpose of the paper and adapted to this population was used in the study. The survey questionnaire consisted of the following elements: sociodemographic data, self-assessment concerning the quality of life and Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly. Results. The study included a total of 159 subjects, 56.6% males and 43.4% females, of whom the majority were 65-75 years old (67.3%). The average health status (M = 2.17; SD = 0.68) was higher than the expected value, while the social status (M = 1.93; SD = 0.60) and the social needs (M = 1.91; SD = 0.72) were slightly lower compared to theoretical mean. Furthermore, the financial status had an average value (M = 2.08; SD = 0.59). The distribution of social needs was unsatisfactory. The obtained value of the Self-Perceived Quality of Life Scale was within the range of the theoretical mean values (M = 5.54, SD = 2.47), indicating that the distribution of the obtained quality of life values was symmetrical. Conclusion. Financial status significantly affects the quality of life of the elderly. The distribution of social needs is unsatisfactory. The level of education significantly affects the quality of life: highly educated respondents have a better health, social and financial status compared to the elderly with a lower level of education.

scholarly journals Η επίδραση της πνευματικότητας στην ποιότητα ζωής ασθενών με χρόνια νεφρική νόσο και η συσχέτισή της με την ψυχική υγεία και τις γνωσιακές τους αντιλήψεις

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ευάγγελος Φραδέλος
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Illness Perception Questionnaire ◽  
Chronic Illness Therapy ◽  
The Social ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Quality Of Life Index

Εισαγωγή: Οι ασθενείς με Χρόνια Νεφρική Νόσο (ΧΝΝ) μπορεί να παρουσιάσουν ένα ευρύ φάσμα σωματικών και ψυχολογικών συμπτωμάτων, καθώς και να βιώσουν αλλαγές στον τρόπο ζωής και κατά συνέπεια, να αντιμετωπίσουν προκλήσεις σχετικές με την αυτοδιαχείριση της νόσου, οι οποίες είναι απαραίτητες για τη βελτίωση της κατάστασης της υγείας τους. Η πνευματικότητα, αλλά και η θρησκεία αποτελούν για αρκετά άτομα σημαντικές διαστάσεις της ύπαρξής τους, καθώς είναι πηγή υποστήριξης που συμβάλει στην ευεξία και την αντιμετώπιση των καθημερινών δυσκολιών της ζωής τους. Για πολλούς ασθενείς η ενσωμάτωση των πνευματικών τους πιστεύω στη θεραπευτική διαδικασία είναι ζωτικής σημασίας και έχει βρεθεί να συσχετίζεται με θετικές εκβάσεις για την ψυχική υγεία. Σκοπός της μελέτης ήταν να αξιολογηθεί το επίπεδο πνευματικότητας των ασθενών με ΧΝΝ και η σχέση της με την ποιότητα ζωής και την ψυχική υγεία αυτών των ασθενών.Μεθοδολογία: Διεξήχθη συγχρονική μελέτη, στην οποία συμμετείχαν 367 ασθενείς Τελικού Σταδίου Χρόνιας Νεφρικής Νόσου που υποβάλλονταν σε αιμοκάθαρση. Τα δεδομένα συλλέχθηκαν με τη χρήση αυτοσυμπληρούμενων ερωτηματολογίων. Για την αξιολόγηση της πνευματικότητας χρησιμοποιήθηκε η κλίμακα Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp-12), για την αξιολόγηση της ψυχικής υγείας η κλίμακα SCL 90 – R, για τη μέτρηση του επιπέδου ποιότητας ζωής η κλίμακα Missoula Vitas Quality of Life Index-15 και για την αξιολόγηση των αντιλήψεων για την ασθένεια η κλίμακα Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief Version), αφού εξασφαλίσθηκαν οι σχετικές άδειες των συγγραφέων. Η στατιστική επεξεργασία του εμπειρικού υλικού της έρευνας πραγματοποιήθηκε με το λογισμικό πρόγραμμα Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, 20.0 (S.P.S.S. Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), χρησιμοποιώντας τις μεθόδους της Περιγραφικής (Descriptive) και της Επαγωγικής (Inferential) Στατιστικής. Επίσης εφαρμόστηκε πολυμεταβλητή ανάλυση χρησιμοποιώντας το στατιστικό υπόδειγμα της πολλαπλής γραμμικής παλινδρόμησης (multiple linear regression) και ως μέτρο σχέσης τον συντελεστή παλινδρόμησης β. To επίπεδο στατιστικής σημαντικότητας τέθηκε στο 0,05.Αποτελέσματα: Το 62,1% των ασθενών του δείγματος ήταν άνδρες και το 37,9% γυναίκες. Η ηλικία τους κυμαίνονταν από 18 έως 92 ετών με μέση τιμή τα 61,80 έτη (ΤΑ=15,11). Το συνολικό σκορ της Κλίμακας Πνευματικότητας «FACIT – Sp12 Scale» κυμαίνονταν από 3 έως 47 με μέση τιμή 30,55 (ΤΑ=8,22) και διάμεσο τιμή 31,00, γεγονός που δείχνει ότι η πλειονότητα των ασθενών εμφάνιζε σχετικά υψηλές τιμές Συνολικής Πνευματικότητας. Η μέση τιμή των επιμέρους διαστάσεων της Κλίμακας ήταν για το «Νόημα» 11,99 (ΤΑ=3,27), τη «Γαλήνη» 9,26 (ΤΑ=3,38) και την «Πίστη» 9,30 (ΤΑ=3,95). Το συνολικό σκορ της Κλίμακας Ποιότητας Ζωής «MVQOLI – 15R» (Συνολική Ποιότητα Ζωής) είχε μέση τιμή 17,22 (ΤΑ=3,85), γεγονός που δείχνει ότι η πλειονότητα των ασθενών εμφάνιζε ικανοποιητικές τιμές Συνολικής Ποιότητας Ζωής. Το συνολικό σκορ της Κλίμακας Ψυχιατρικής Συμπτωματολογίας «SCL – 90R» είχε μέση τιμή 0,89 (ΤΑ=0,63). Το συνολικό σκορ της Κλίμακας Αντιλήψεων για τη Νόσο «BIPQ» (Συνολική Αντίληψη για τη Νόσο) είχε μέση τιμή 42,70 (ΤΑ=13,41), γεγονός που δείχνει ότι η πλειονότητα των ασθενών εμφάνιζε σχετικά υψηλές τιμές Συνολικής Αντίληψης για τη Νόσο, δηλαδή απειλητική άποψη για τη νόσο. Η συνολική Πνευματικότητα όσο και οι διαστάσεις της, δηλαδή «Νόημα» και «Γαλήνη» βρέθηκε να επιδρούν σημαντικά τόσο στη ποιότητα ζωής όσο και στη ψυχική υγεία και στις αντιλήψεις για τη νόσο. Από την άλλη η διάσταση «Πίστη» της πνευματικότητας παρουσίαζε λιγότερες και ασθενέστερες συσχετίσεις με τη ποιότητα ζωής, ψυχική υγεία και τις αντιλήψεις για τη νόσο.Συμπεράσματα: Η πνευματικότητα επιδρά σημαντικά στην ΠΖ, την ψυχική υγεία και τις αντιλήψεις για τη νόσο των ασθενών με ΧΝΝ και αναδεικνύεται η συμβολή που μπορεί να έχει στην ατομική ευημερία, σε μια περίοδο μάλιστα τόσο κρίσιμη όπως αυτή της ασθένειας. Αυτή η επίδραση περιλαμβάνει την εύρεση νοήματος στην υγεία και τη νόσο, στο βίωμα ενός σκοπού στη ζωή και στην αίσθηση εσωτερικής αρμονίας.

A Consumer Behavior-Influenced Multidisciplinary Transcendent Model of Motivation for Music Making

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie L. Vaccaro
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Music Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Music Making ◽  
Self Actualization ◽  
Psychic Energy ◽  
Self Transcendence

This chapter reviews multidisciplinary research from the fields of consumer behavior, humanistic and positive psychology, music education, and other areas to develop a new Transcendent Model of Motivation for Music Making. One’s “extended self” identity can be defined partly by possessions and mastery over objects, and objects can “complete” the self. Music making involves a person’s investment of “psychic energy,” including attention, time, learning, and efforts, and is a creative path which can lead to peak experiences and flow. Music making can help satisfy social needs, achieve self-actualization, experience self-transcendence, enhance well-being, strengthen spirituality, and improve the quality of life.

scholarly journals The Longitudinal Link between Organizational Citizenship Behaviors and Three Different Models of Happiness

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6387
Author(s):  
Wenceslao Unanue ◽  
Eduardo Barros ◽  
Marcos Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Citizenship ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Organizational Citizenship Behaviors ◽  
Citizenship Behaviors ◽  
Broad Perspective ◽  
Typical Sample ◽  
Eudaimonic Happiness ◽  
Over Time

A growing body of research conducted in general life settings has found positive associations between happiness and prosocial behavior. Unfortunately, equivalent studies in the workplace are lacking. Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), the prosocial behaviors at work, have not been properly studied in relation to happiness, despite the positive consequences of both constructs for workers and companies. In response, our research aims to better understand this relationship from several angles. First, using a three-wave longitudinal design, we explored how OCBs and happiness are related to each other over time. Second, happiness was measured from a broad perspective, and three conceptualizations were adopted: the hedonic (e.g., positive affect and life satisfaction), the eudaimonic (e.g., relatedness and autonomy), and the flourishing (e.g., meaning and engagement) approaches. Thus, not only the prospective link between OCBs and happiness was tested, but it was also explored using the three models of happiness previously mentioned. Third, we conducted this longitudinal design in a less typical sample than previous research (i.e., Chile). We found results that supported our main hypotheses: (1) OCBs are prospective positive predictors of hedonic happiness, eudaimonic happiness, and flourishing; (2) the three models of happiness also prospectively predict OCBs. Our findings suggest that OCBs foster a broad range of happiness facets, which in turn fosters back the emergence of more OCBs, leading to a virtuous circle of prosociality and well-being in the workplace. This positive spiral benefits not only workers’ quality of life, but also organizations’ profitability and sustainability. Theoretical and applied implications for the field of Positive Organizational Psychology are discussed.

scholarly journals Music to My Ears: A Material-semiotic Analysis of Fetal Heart Sounds in Midwifery Prenatal Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 016224392110051
Author(s):  
Annekatrin Skeide
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Fetal Heart ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
Semiotic Analysis ◽  
Parental Love ◽  
The Social ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Aesthetic

Unlike sonographic examinations, sonic fetal heartbeat monitoring has received relatively little attention from scholars in the social sciences. Using the case of fetal heartbeat monitoring as part of midwifery prenatal care in Germany, this contribution introduces music as an analytical tool for exploring the aesthetic dimensions of obstetrical surveillance practices. Based on ethnographic stories, three orchestrations are compared in which three different instruments help audiences to listen to what becomes fetal heartbeat music and to qualify fetal and pregnant lives in relation to each other. In the Doppler-based orchestration, audible heartbeat music is taken as a sign of a child in need of parental love and care cultivated to listen. The Pinard horn makes esoteric fetal music that can be appreciated by the midwife as a skilled instrumentalist alone and helps to enact a child hidden in the belly. The cardiotocograph brings about soothing music and a reassuring relationship with a child but also durable scripts of juridical beauty. This material-semiotic analysis amplifies how well-being is shaped in midwifery prenatal care practices.

Rolling out a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for parents of children with ADHD: a feasibility study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
R. Rice ◽  
A. Ni Bhearra ◽  
K. Kilbride ◽  
C. Lynch ◽  
F. McNicholas
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Social ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
Frequent Reason

Background: Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the single most frequent reason for attendance at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Ireland. Research has suggested that parents of children with ADHD experience more parenting stress than parents of non-clinical controls, yet routine treatment for ADHD rarely addresses parental well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been found to result in a reduction in parental stress. Method: An adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention was delivered to parents (n = 23) of children with ADHD recruited from CAMHS and ADHD Ireland. Results: Following the intervention a significant improvement was documented within the social relationships domain of quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and a significant reduction on the child hyperactivity scale of the Strengths and Difficulties (SDQ) questionnaire. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that an MBSR intervention is both feasible and effective for parents whose children have ADHD. Larger scale studies need to be conducted before inclusion in routine CAMHS.

Improving the Perception of Patient-Centered Wellness in a Virtual Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. JDNP-D-20-00078
Author(s):  
Sybilla Myers ◽  
Christopher Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
The Social

BackgroundPerceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is fundamental to well-being and is a meaningful way to measure physical and mental health.Local ProblemNo standard method exists for measuring perceived HRQOL during the COVID-19 pandemic in participants as they attempt to improve their self-determined wellness goals. An implementation plan that considers the social distancing limitations imposed can be used to predict an individual’s likelihood of long-term success.MethodsDuring the four, 2-week plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, the Social Cognitive Theory model informed the implementation of the four core interventions. To guide iterative changes, the data was analyzed through Excel and run charts.InterventionsThe four core interventions were the shared decision-making tool (SDMT), health mobile app tool (HMAT), wellness tracker tool (WTT), and the team engagement plan.ResultsAmong 28 participants, perceived quality of life increased by 70%, engagement in shared decision-making increased to 82%, app use and confidence increased to 85%, and goal attainment reached 81%.ConclusionsThe SDMT, health app, and wellness tracker created a methodical plan of accountability for increasing participant wellness. The contextual barrier of the COVID-19 pandemic added a negative wellness burden which was mitigated by creating a patient-centered culture of wellness.

Improving The Effectiveness Of Teaching Social Innovation Through Social Learning Model Inquri In Class Vi Sdn 12 Jurai Limes Tower District Iv Academic Year 2013/2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-42
Author(s):  
Jafni Rianson
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
The Social ◽  
Classroom Action Research ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Year 2013

From the scope according to the teaching function of the Social Sciences seems clear concept (Expanding Communnity Approach)  which starts from the things nearest to the students (families) to the further (global). The fact that the case is still much do teachers in the field, a learning process that dominates without regard to the basic ability of students, (Teacher Contered) without involving students actively in it . In general problem in this research is the extent to which the effectiveness of the inquiry model of ' social' can improve learning outcomes of students in the Social Sciences in the sixth grade at SDN 12 Jurai Limes Tower District IV District, the South Coast, in the academic year 2013/2014? This type of research is classroom action research (classroom action research), which has the ultimate objective is to improve the quality of learning in schools, educational relevance, quality of the education, education management efficiency. The research location is in the sixth grade at SDN 12 Limes Tower District IV Jurai, South Coastal District , the school year 2013/2014 . research subjects are students of class VI SDN 12 Limes Tower , Genab the semester, academic year 2013/2014. The final goal of teaching social studies is the formation of the learner as an intelligent social actors (Socially Intelligent Actor) which is formed from a touch of pedagogy . Based on the research showed an increase in the quality of students in the sixth grade value SDN No. 12 Limes Tower, in the academic year 2013/2014, the graph continues to rise, excellent 61%, good 9.5% and quite 23% and increased sense of solidarity between friends, group shows real changes that have an impact on everyday life including relationships with people such as interviews and visits. Of the overall activities carried out can be concluded that the model of the inquiry socially very suitable to be applied to examine the social phenomena that arise in the community, a fact primary school age children third grade had been able to carry out the stages of the inquiry by the hypothesis as the direction in problem solving and uses the fact as a hypothesis.    

scholarly journals Social representations of low-income diabetic women according to the health-disease process

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Siqueira Péres ◽  
Laércio Joel Franco ◽  
Manoel Antônio dos Santos ◽  
Maria Lúcia Zanetti
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Social Representations ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Diet Plan ◽  
The Social ◽  
Negative Feelings ◽  
Representations Of Women

The purpose of this article is to identify the social representations of low-income diabetic women according to the health-disease process. This is a descriptive, exploratory study. Eight participants, all of them patients at a basic health unit in Ribeirão Preto, were interviewed in 2003. The data were organized according to thematic content analysis and analyzed according to theory of social representations. Diabetes is related to negative feelings, such as shock, anger and sadness; the diet plan is linked to the loss of pleasure, and also to health risks. The diabetic women showed an ambivalent relation to medication, perceived it as both tiring and as a resource that promotes well-being and improvements in quality of life. The negative representation of health services seems to interfere with the behavior of adherence to pharmacological treatment. Understanding the representations of women with diabetes contributes to integral healthcare for diabetic patients.

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