Wellbeing Literacy: A Capability Model for Wellbeing Science and Practice

Lindsay G. Oades, Aaron Jarden, Hanchao Hou, Corina Ozturk, Paige Williams, Gavin R. Slemp and Lanxi Huang
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Lindsay G. Oades: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Aaron Jarden: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Hanchao Hou: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Corina Ozturk: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Paige Williams: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Gavin R. Slemp: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Lanxi Huang: Centre for Positive Psychology, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: Wellbeing science is the scientific investigation of wellbeing, its’ antecedents and consequences. Alongside growth of wellbeing science is significant interest in wellbeing interventions at individual, organizational and population levels, including measurement of national accounts of wellbeing. In this concept paper, we propose the capability model of wellbeing literacy as a new model for wellbeing science and practice. Wellbeing literacy is defined as a capability to comprehend and compose wellbeing language, across contexts, with the intention of using such language to maintain or improve the wellbeing of oneself, others or the world. Wellbeing literacy is underpinned by a capability model (i.e., what someone is able to be and do), and is based on constructivist (i.e., language shapes reality) and contextualist (i.e., words have different meanings in different contexts) epistemologies. The proposed capability model of wellbeing literacy adds to wellbeing science by providing a tangible way to assess mechanisms learned from wellbeing interventions. Moreover, it provides a framework for practitioners to understand and plan wellbeing communications. Workplaces and families as examples are discussed as relevant contexts for application of wellbeing literacy, and future directions for wellbeing literacy research are outlined.

Keywords: wellbeing; literacy; wellbeing literacy; capability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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