The Wheel of Well-being: Impact of a community training programme on individual well-being in Australia.

Abstract

Well-being intervention frameworks may help improve well-being. The Wheel of Well-being (WoW) is designed to empower individuals to understand and use the WoW framework for themselves, their communities and in workplaces. This paper evaluates the well-being impacts on participants of a well-being capacity building programme using WoW, in Australia. The programme collected quantitative data from participants at two time points, once at the beginning of the programme (Time 1) and on the final session (Time 2). Surveys assessed well-being outcomes as well as life satisfaction, knowledge and understanding of well-being and behavioural changes. Results of a total of 162 participants were included in this evaluation of the programme across nine cohorts. Between Time 1 and Time 2 the participants saw a small, but significant increase in well-being scores, with no difference between age groups. The number of participants regarded as having a "High" well-being score increased from 11% to 24%. Increases in knowledge, understanding and the implementation of actions and behaviours to improve well-being were also observed. This evaluation provides evidence that participation in a short, intensive WoW programme can positively impact well-being, behaviour and knowledge and understanding regarding well-being. This suggests WoW may be an effective framework around which individuals can improve their well-being. SO WHAT?: Consideration should be given to the implementation of comprehensive health promotion frameworks, including WoW, to improve the well-being of individuals. Further evaluation is needed to see if improved well-being is maintained over longer time periods.