The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index: 2004 Update Robert A Cummins (Deakin University) Richard Eckersley (Australian National University) Erik Okerstrom (Australian Unity) Sing Kai Lo (University of Sydney) Melanie Davern (Deakin University) Bruce Hunter (Deakin University) Jacqui Woerner (Deakin University NB. Please view via ‘Notes page’. You can then progress through the document using your mouse wheel, Page Down key, or the double- headed arrow to the right of this frame.

Objective Conditions e.g. Medical Health Subjective Perceptions e.g. Satisfaction with health Quality of Life Objective vs subjective: r = N.S.

What is Subjective Wellbeing? A positive state of mind that involves the whole life experience

“How satisfied are you with your life as a whole?” ( Personal Wellbeing Index ) Standard of living Health Achieving Relationships Safety Community connectedness Future security Life Domains

How satisfied are you with your ----? Completely Dissatisfied Completely Satisfied Mixed [Jones and Thurstone,1955] 11-point, end-defined scale

‘Percentage of Scale Maximum’ Standardized values Original values %SM Converts Likert scale data to a standardized range from

Frequency distribution for subjective QOL Frequency

75 ± 2.5%SM Range: 70–80%SM Gold Standard for Subjective Wellbeing

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index A new systematic measure of subjective wellbeing An alternative to objective indicators – eg. GDP

The Australian Surveys Geographically representative sample N = 2,000 Telephone interview #1:April 2001 #2:September 2001 (immediately following September 11) #12:August 2004

So, what has been happening to the subjective wellbeing of Australians over the past 3.5 years?

Wellbeing in Australia Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date

Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date September 11Bali Bombing

Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date September 11Bali Scores above this line are significantly higher than S1 >S2, S4, S5

Standard of living Health Productivity Relationships Safety Community connectedness Future security Satisfaction with---- Personal Wellbeing Index

Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date September 11BaliPre-Post-Iraq Scores above this line are significantly higher than S1 >S2, S4, S5

Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date September 11BaliPre-Post-Iraq Scores above this line are significantly higher than S1 >S2, S4, S5

Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date September 11BaliPre-Post-OlympicsIraq Scores above this line are significantly higher than S1 >S2, S4, S5

Strength of satisfaction Major Events Preceding Survey Date September 11BaliPre-Post-OlympicsIraq Scores above this line are significantly higher than S1 >S2, S4, S5 >S11

Subjective wellbeing Homeostasis How is subjective wellbeing held so constant?

Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis Like the internal management of body temperature and blood pressure Our sense of satisfaction with our lives is also internally managed and held constant

Homeostasis can be defeated by:  Chronic pain (arthritis)  Chronic stress (carers)  Lack of intimacy  Living conditions (street-kids)  Incarceration (prisoners)  Poverty

The Relationship Between Stress and SWB Very Weak Very Strong Stress SWB High Low ?

The Relationship Between Stress and SWB Dominant Source of SWB Control SWB Stress High Low Threshold DISTRESS Homeostasis No stressHigh stress 75 Level of environmental challenge

Principle 1 Subjective wellbeing is managed by a homeostatic system. This why its measurement is so reliable. Therefore, there will be a non-linear relationship between any source of stress (ill health or physical incapacity) with how people feel about the overall quality of their life

Degree of Stress: PWI satisfaction

Pain x Personal Wellbeing Index N

SevereModerateMild ObeseOverweightNormalUnderweight Body Mass Index

Specific Health Conditions x Personal Wellbeing Index

Principle 2 It CAN NOT be assumed that people who have a chronic medical condition have low subjective wellbeing Even self-reported medical symptoms are extremely poor indicators of how people feel about their lives generally

Homeostatic control is all about the balance between the degree of challenge and the level of personal resources Examples of External Resources Money Relationships

Income and the Personal Wellbeing Index (combined surveys) Percentage Point Increment

Significant Increments in PWI The cost of each increment Points Gained $ per Point Ratio of $ per point <$15→$15-30:$15,0002.0$7,500 $15-30→$61-90:$30,0002.5$12, $61-90→$200:$60,0003.5$30, Projected (previous ratio 2 )6.25 Household Income

The cost of purchasing a percentage point of personal wellbeing 200,000 1,250,000

The Relative Influence of Household Income on the Personal Domains

Age Specific- Normative range Income x Age (combined data)

Age Specific- Normative range Income x Age (combined data)

Age Specific- Normative range Income x Age (combined data)

Income x Age (combined data) Age Specific- Normative range

Income x Age x Gender (combined data) Age Specific- Normative range

Income x Household Structure: Personal Wellbeing Index (combined Surveys 9-12)

Income x Relationship Status

Income x Work Status (combined data)

Conclusion Personal wellbeing is very stable Most sources of threat do not diminish wellbeing Both money and relationships are effective buffers against homeostatic defeat Household income of <$60,000 places many people at risk of homeostatic defeat If you are sad and rich, earning an extra percentage point of SWB requires a lot of money