Theory Of Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis Research Articles

Children with homeostatically maintained and homeostatically defeated subjective well-being in Indonesia

The aims of this study are twofold. First, to explore the characteristics of children with homeostatically maintained and homeostatically defeated (as defined by Cummins 2003; Tomyn et al., 2015) subjective well-being (SWB) in Indonesia, including sociodemographic variables. Second, to investigate variables contributing to the subjective well-being (SWB) each of these two groups of Indonesian children. Homeostatically defeated children were identified based on their SWB scores are 50 or below 50 on a 0-100 scale, following Cummins’ theory of SWB homeostasis, while homeostatically maintained children were identified based on their SWB scores above 50. Participants of this study (N = 14,576; 50.64% girls and 49.36% boys; 96.15% were homeostatically maintained children and 3.85% were homeostatically defeated children) were children 10 and 12-year-olds. A representative sample of the Children’s Worlds survey in West Java Province, Indonesia, collected in October 2017 was used for the analysis here presented. The five items version of the Children’s Worlds Subjective Well-Being Scale (CW-SWBS5) was used as SWB indicator, together with several items to evaluate other SWB aspects (family, friends, school climate, living area, bullying, material deprivation, family economic status, and satisfaction with several other life domains). Cummins’ theory of SWB homeostasis was used to discuss the results. Results showed different contribution of some of the variables on the SWB of children depending if it appeared to be homeostatically maintained or homeostatically defeated. However, satisfaction with safety showed positive contribution to SWB of both homeostatically maintained and homeostatically defeated children. Implication for parents, teachers, government, and policy makers are discussed to assist these children to improve their SWB.

Subjective Well-Being and Material Deprivation During COVID-19 pandemic: A study in children and adolescents in Indonesia

This study aimed to investigate the contribution of material deprivation on the subjective well-being (SWB) of children and adolescents aged 10-18 years old during COVID-19 in Indonesia. Participants (N = 3,094; 54.3% girls; 53.2% high school students) were children and adolescents from 33 provinces in Indonesia with mean age = 15.39. Convenience sampling was used in this study, of which data were collected using internet-based questionnaires. SWB was measured using three SWB scales: Children’s Worlds Subjective Well-Being Scale (CW-SWBS), Overall Life Satisfaction (OLS), and one item measures subjective material well-being. Material deprivation was measured by participants’ reports on their accessibility to necessities they need in life. Participants were further asked whether they were worried about their family’s money and access to have food to eat each day. Data were analyzed using linear regression, and descriptive statistics using crosstabs, Chi-Square and ANOVA. Linear regression analysis results showed that material deprivation significantly contributed to lowering SWB scores, lack of access to have food to eat each day, and worrying about family’s money. Participants who experienced material deprivation reported lower SWB scores than those who experienced non-material deprivation. Girls reported lower SWB scores than boys, while older participants reported lower SWB scores than younger ones. Results are discussed using Cummins’ theory of SWB homeostasis. It is suggested that parents play a role as a buffer to assist children and adolescents in adapting to the adverse situation during pandemic COVID-19.

Mindfulness Practice Is Associated With Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis Resilience in People With Crohn's Disease but Not Ulcerative Colitis.

ObjectivesPeople with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease: IBD), commonly experience high levels of depressive symptoms and stress and low levels of subjective wellbeing (SWB). Mindfulness is increasingly considered an adjuvant IBD treatment. The relationships between depression, disease symptoms and mindfulness have not previously been considered within the theory of SWB homeostasis. This theory states that SWB is normally maintained by a homeostatic system around a setpoint range but can fail when psychological challenges dominate consciousness. This study explored the relationship among SWB and patient-reported psychological and IBD symptoms and investigated whether mindfulness practice is independently associated with SWB homeostatic resilience.DesignThis cross-sectional study recruited participants through online IBD support groups.MethodsParticipants (n = 739; 62% Crohn's disease) detailed symptoms of depression and stress, patient-reported disease symptoms, and regularity of mindfulness practice.ResultsThe sample had significantly lower SWB (hedges g = −0.98) than normative data. A logistic regression found mindfulness practice doubled the Crohn's disease participants' odds of reporting SWB within the normal homeostatic range, after controlling for psychological, physical, and demographic variables (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.66). A one-point increase of patient-reported bowel symptoms reduced the participant's odds of reporting SWB in the normal homeostatic range by about a third (OR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.85). However, the influence of mindfulness or disease symptoms on SWB was not observed for people with ulcerative colitis.ConclusionThese findings provide initial evidence for an association between mindfulness and SWB homeostatic resilience in a clinical population.

Capabilities, Subjective Wellbeing and Public Policy: A Response to Austin (2016)

It has recently been claimed that Sen’s capabilities approach can be used to advise the formation of public policy related to human wellbeing. It has also been proposed that measures of subjective wellbeing are inadequate for this purpose. These ideas are examined in relation to capabilities, using the same reference material as the proposing author. The theory of subjective wellbeing homeostasis is used as the alternative framework by which to understand the potential of subjective wellbeing for policy advice. This examination reveals an almost complete lack of evidence that capability measurement could fulfill the suggested role. While subjective wellbeing has more potential for this purpose, caveats to its employment for policy advice are also evident.

Confirmation of Subjective Wellbeing Set-Points: Foundational for Subjective Social Indicators

The usefulness of subjective wellbeing (SWB) as a social indicator rests on understanding what controls its level when measured through self-report data. While the theory of SWB homeostasis provides a cogent explanatory framework for the control processes, this theory relies on set-points, and direct evidence for their existence rests on a single study. Cummins et al. (J Happiness Stud 15:183–206, 2014. doi: 10.1007/s10902-013-9444-9) demonstrated a normal range of set-points between 71 and 90 points on a 0–100 scale, using data on global life satisfaction (GLS). These findings are consistent with homeostasis theory, which proposes that set-points account for the normal positivity of SWB while its stability is accounted for by homeostatic processes. The current paper extends the first report in two ways. First, by replicating the range of set-points using a different data set. Second, by extending the findings to homeostatically protected mood (HPMood), which is proposed to be the basic psychological molecule that homeostasis seeks to protect. Participants completed between 5 and 10 surveys. Data preparation involved the iterative elimination of scores based on significant deviation from their over-time mean score. It is confirmed that GLS and HPMood set-points are both normally distributed between 75 and 90 points. These results offer further support for the usefulness of SWB as a social indicator.

Subjective Wellbeing as a Social Indicator

My essay contributes to the 50-year celebration of Bauer’s ‘Social Indicators’ by examining the progress of subjective social indicators. It begins with a description of how the three contributors to this volume, Bauer, Biderman and Gross, viewed subjective indicators, and then examines developments to the present. Of special interest is subjective wellbeing, most particularly as it is understood through the theory of subjective wellbeing homeostasis. The theory is described and the potential use of subjective wellbeing as an indicator, relevant to the development of public policy, is described. I conclude that it is timely for national statistical agencies to consider the adoption of a scale to measure subjective wellbeing.

The subjective well-being of individuals diagnosed with comorbid intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders

The present study's aim was to empirically explore subjective well-being (SWB) and its correlates among adults diagnosed with comorbid intellectual disability (ID) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This exploration was guided by the Theory of SWB Homeostasis as a conceptual framework for examining determinants and processes underlying the SWB of this understudied population. A total of 246 adults receiving residential support completed questionnaires measuring their SWB, ADHD symptomatology, functional limitations, and individual internal (self-determination) and external (financial resources, and social support) resources. The participants' SWB was found to be within the normative range. ADHD symptomatology directly predicted reductions in SWB; however, according to the theory, this effect was fully mediated by the individual's internal and external resources. The main findings support the applicability of the SWB Homeostasis theory for understanding the SWB of individuals with comorbid ID and ADHD. The study findings shed light on the psychosocial determinants of SWB and highlight the importance of psychosocial resources as buffers of the effect of health and environmental conditions.

A Demonstration of Set-Points for Subjective Wellbeing

This paper presents evidence for the existence of ‘set-points’ for subjective wellbeing. Our results derive from a 10-year longitudinal study in which subjective wellbeing has been measured using a single question of general life satisfaction. The process of data analysis is driven by logic based on the theory of subjective wellbeing homeostasis. This analysis involves the iterative elimination of raw data, from 7,356 individual respondents, based on confidence limits. All results are projected onto a 0–100 point scale. We demonstrate evidence for the existence of set-points lying between 71 and 90 points, with an average set-point-range of 18–20 points for each person. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.