The academic study of well-being has developed rapidly in recent years. Although there is no universally agreed definition for well-being, there are a number of evidence-based and widely accepted models that we can turn to for support in nurturing well-being in our own lives and of those around us.

Societal Well-being

The study of well-being is increasingly informing policymaking and enabling collective measures of well-being. For instance, some countries are now exploring measurement of Gross National Happiness, and ways to integrate well-being measurement with more typical economic indicators such as GDP. Keep an eye on the articles section to find out more about progress here, and to explore what might be done to improve community well-being in Hong Kong and globally.

Personal Well-being

Measures of personal wellbeing are growing more sophisticated, and some are widely used and validated. There are also a number of sub-scales for aspects of well-being, such as optimism and gratitude. Studies indicate that people who regularly show gratitude tend to have higher well-being. To find out how you’re doing with gratitude, you can try answering the following statements. It should take you no longer than 5 minutes to complete.

Answer the following 6 questions by indicating how much you agree with it :

I have so much in life to be thankful for.

If I had to list everything that I felt grateful for, it would be a very long list.

When I look at the world, I don’t see much to be grateful for.

I am grateful to a wide variety of people.

As I get older I find myself more able to appreciate the people, events, and situations that have been part of my life history.

Long amounts of time can go by before I feel grateful to something or someone.

The survey uses the 6-point The Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6). Please note that it is not a diagnostic tool, and that you should consult with a medical specialist for any health concerns. To find out about other models of well-being, click here. And for some well-being guidance, please click here.