Addressing the Social Determinants of Subjective Wellbeing

The Latest Challenge for Social Policy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2115509
AutoresChristopher Deeming (0000-0002-4825-1373, University of Bristol, autor correspondente)
Ano2013
Volume42
Fascículo3
Páginas541-565
Data de publicação2013-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0047-2794 • E-ISSN: 1469-7823
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0047279413000202
PMID23710101
PMCIDPMC3663082
OpenAlexW1967733928
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas44
Referências citadas44

The idea that the happiness and wellbeing of individuals should shape government policy has been around since the enlightenment; today such thinking has growing practical policy relevance as governments around the world survey their populations in an effort to design social policies that promote wellbeing. In this article, we consider the social determinants of subjective wellbeing in the UK and draw lessons for social policy. Survey data are taken from the 'Measuring National Wellbeing Programme' launched by the UK's Office for National Statistics in 2010. For the empirical strategy, we develop bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, as well as testing for interaction effects in the data. The findings show that wellbeing is not evenly distributed within the UK. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, employment, household composition and tenure all matter, as does health status. Influencing population wellbeing is inherently complex, though, that said, there is a clear need to place greater emphasis on thesocial, given the direction of current policy

Bivariate analysis · Demographic economics · Economic growth · Economics · Ethnic group · General Social Survey · Government (linguistics) · Happiness · Political science · Relevance (law) · Social policy · Sociology · Survey data collection · Employment and Welfare Studies · Health disparities and outcomes · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology