Broadening the Scope of Wellbeing Science: Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Human Flourishing and Wellbeing

by Andrew H. Kemp (Editor), Darren J. Edwards (Editor)

Overview

This book brings together leading researchers on wellbeing science to provide a multidisciplinary approach to psychological wellbeing with implications for the interconnected societal challenges we face today, including loneliness, neoliberalism, inequality and anthropogenic climate change. Its authors present new and innovative models for understanding, building and improving our understanding of the complex construct of wellbeing. The capacity for individual positive change is explored, as well as the scope for such change to impact on the communities and environments within which we live. Further, the book places individual wellbeing within a broader context that also addresses societal needs and challenges. In doing so, it provides a novel synthesis of individual, societal and environmental perspectives on wellbeing and human flourishing.

In the face of an urgent need to build stronger, sustainable and more resilient communities, this book demonstrates how wellbeing science can link the individual with the community through appropriate health and wellbeing policies and offers a guide to a new way for individuals to connect with the world. It will appeal to researchers and professionals working across the fields of psychology, environmental science, public health and public policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031183287
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	11/11/2022
Edition description:	1st ed. 2022
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Andrew H. Kemp is Professor of Psychology and Personal Chair at Swansea University, Wales. Dr Kemp's research are broad in scope, spanning affective neuroscience through to epidemiology and public health. His current research interests relate to existential positive psychology, wellbeing science and climate psychology. He has received awards and fellowships from the British Psychological Society (2019) and the Association for Psychological Science (2017), and a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Melbourne (2019) in recognition of academic leadership, creative scholarship and innovative contributions to the field.

Darren J. Edwards is a BPS Chartered Health Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in The Department of Public Health at Swansea University, Wales. Dr Edwards has considerable experience both as a researcher and trainer of ACT. His published work includes several policy briefs for the Welsh Government and The Textbook of Health and Social Care (Co-edited with Stephanie Best 2020).

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to the Complex Construct of Wellbeing, Societal Challenges and Potential Solutions.- 2. Shifting the Paradigm of Positive Psychology: Toward an Existential Positive Psychology of Wellbeing.- 3. Beyond Us: Building Collective Wellbeing.- 4. Towards a Culture of Care for Societal Wellbeing: A Perspective from the Healthcare Sector.- 5. ACTing for Society: The Promotion and Nurturance of Prosocial Behaviour at Scale.- 6. The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Human and Planetary Wellbeing: Implications for Promoting Wellbeing, Tackling Anthropogenic Climate Change and Overcoming Biodiversity Loss.- 7. A Modern Framework of Wellbeing from the Perspective of Positive Environments.- 8. A Public Health Perspective on Wellbeing.- 9. The Economics of Individual Wellbeing and the Transformation of Society.- 10. Social and Material Foundations of Wellbeing: Beyond the Neoliberal Model of Development.- 11. Discussion: Broadening the Scope of Wellbeing Science.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“In Broadening the Scope of Wellbeing Science, the editors capture the richness of the emerging discipline of wellbeing science. Through the perspectives of experts across several disparate disciplines, the volume provides the basis for a rich integrative science of wellbeing that expands the original focus of positive psychology from the individual to a collective experience that is independent of cultural and geographical diversity.” (Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D, Distinguished University Scientist, Kinsey Institute Indiana University and Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, USA. Author of Polyvagal Safety (Norton, 2021))

“How long can humans be well if planetary boundaries are kept being crossed? From an ecological point of view, all wellbeing science needs to take into account ‘planetary wellbeing’. In this insightful volume edited by Drs Kemp and Edwards, experts chart such an agenda including a multifaceted exploration of eco-psycho-social wellbeing. Highly recommended.” (Dr. Panu Pihkala, Adjunct Professor of of Environmental Theology, University of Helsinki, Finland.)

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Jill N. Littrell, BA, MA, MA (Northeastern Illinois University)
Description: This book discusses various factors professionals need to consider as they strive to foster client well-being. Each trained professional comes to their position from a unique sphere of influence and training. Yet, patients do not live in isolation and many forces may affect their well-being, which professionals must consider. The book features several researchers who provide unique perspectives on well-being, expanding professionals' capacity for understanding and treating their clients.
Purpose: The purpose of this book is to introduce new perspectives of well-being according to the authors' unique areas of expertise. The book describes the impact of various factors on clients' personal well-being. The fast-paced changes in our society bring personal challenges that have yet to be addressed in the therapeutic environment. Each chapter introduces new views on well-being that professionals may not have considered previously.
Audience: This book provides a basis for new conversations among professionals from varying fields of expertise. This collection of perspectives can easily be used for workshops or seminars to spark conversation on well-being in professional spheres. The editors have selected knowledgeable, passionate contributing authors who provided subject matter expertise on the concept of human well-being.
Features: Experienced in psychology and research in Wales, the editors begin with an introduction defining what is and what is not human "well-being." In the next nine chapters, the authors provide new information in their respective fields. The book ends with a chapter that brings all the authors' perspectives into focus. References at the end of each chapter allow for more exploration, as does the extensive index at the end of the book.
Assessment: While the book is thoughtfully written, the abstract at the beginning of each chapter and the conclusion at the end help readers find the information they seek. This book may serve as a reference and has value both in the individual chapters and in its entirety. It can certainly be a tool for discussion groups, with the only drawback being the applicability of some chapters to a given country, as it is written by professionals based in Wales. The chapters include figures as well as extensive references to allow for further study.

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