Psychological and Subjective Wellbeing: A Proposal for Internationally Comparable Indicators

Emma Samman
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Sabina Alkire

OPHI Working Papers from Queen Elizabeth House, University of Oxford

Abstract: This paper sets out a proposal to measure psychological and subjective states of wellbeing in individual and household surveys. In particular, it proposes a short list of seven indicators, and a module containing the relevant questions needed to construct them. The indicators address both eudaemonic and hedonic criteria, and cover four aspects of wellbeing: 1) meaning in life; 2) the three 'basic psychological needs' of autonomy, competence and relatedness, following self-determination theory; 3) domain-specific and overall life satisfaction; and 4) happiness. The article recommends that further research should explore the connections between these indicators, as well as their relationship with objective measures of disadvantage. While re-affirming that perceptual staters should not be treated as aims of government policy, it is argued that they may provide a richer understanding of peoples' values and behaviour - and therefore that further research on the subject could deepen our understanding of capability poverty. Number 5

Date: 2007-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hap
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Journal Article: Psychological and Subjective Well-being: A Proposal for Internationally Comparable Indicators (2007)
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