Inner Wellbeing: Concept and Validation of a New Approach to Subjective Perceptions of Wellbeing—India

Abstract

This paper describes the conceptual development of a multi-domain, psychosocial model of ‘Inner Wellbeing’ (IWB) and assesses the construct validity of the scale designed to measure it. IWB expresses what people think and feel they are able to be and do. Drawing together scholarship in wellbeing and international development it is grounded in field research in marginalised, rural communities in the global South. Results from research in India at two points in time (2011 and 2013) are reported. At Time 1 (n = 287), we were unable to confirm an eight-factor, correlated model as distinct yet interrelated domains. However, at Time 2 (n = 335), we were able to confirm a revised, seven-factor correlated model with economic confidence, agency and participation, social connections, close relationships, physical and mental health, competence and self-worth, and values and meaning (five items per domain) as distinct yet interrelated domains. In particular, at Time 2, a seven-factor, correlated model provided a significantly better fit to the data than did a one-factor model.

‘Being Able to Breathe Again’: The Effects of Cash Transfer Programmes on Psychosocial Wellbeing

“…So far a diverse range of methods have been used including brain scans or measuring saliva-cortisol levels, 1 with the most common tools being surveys based on self-report questionnaires and quantitative analytical methods. Moreover, while there are a few exceptions (for example Clark, 2003;Trani, Bakhshi, & Rolland, 2011;White, 2009b;White, Gaines, & Jha, 2014), most of these research tools have been developed in high-income Western countries, and thus the extent to which they are able to capture the experience of people in developing country contexts remains to be seen.…”

“…Amongst others, the ground-breaking work of the Wellbeing in Developing Countries (WeD) research group (See http://www.welldev.org.uk/ for details and studies) and the current related work at the University of Bath (See www.wellbeingpath ways.org; White, 2009b;White et al, 2014) have helped in conceptualising and developing a concrete model to explore and analyse subjective perceptions of wellbeing. It is also useful as a way of framing the findings from our study not least because, like our study, they also focus on people's own experiences and perceptions about their lives, giving them an active voice.…”

“…It is also useful as a way of framing the findings from our study not least because, like our study, they also focus on people's own experiences and perceptions about their lives, giving them an active voice. 2 Bringing together scholarship in psychological wellbeing and international development and based on field research in developing countries, they put forward an approach grounded on psychological literature, but emphasising the importance of the particular context and the relational aspect of wellbeing (White et al, 2014). Developing the concept of Inner Wellbeing that expresses what people think and feel they can be and do, they stress that 'wellbeing is not the property of an individual, it emerges in relationship', and thus any assessment of wellbeing needs to consider how people interact with each other and their wider environment (White, 2013, p. 4).…”

“…Developing the concept of Inner Wellbeing that expresses what people think and feel they can be and do, they stress that 'wellbeing is not the property of an individual, it emerges in relationship', and thus any assessment of wellbeing needs to consider how people interact with each other and their wider environment (White, 2013, p. 4). They also identify seven distinct but closely interrelated domains through which to view wellbeing: economic confidence, agency and participation, social connections, close relationships, physical and mental health, competence and self-worth, and values and meaning (White et al, 2014). As will be seen in the analysis of our findings, while our study did not start with this framing, our instruments covered some of these elements and consequently many of the themes emerging around psychosocial wellbeing can fit into these domains and indeed bring us closer to their concept/approach of Inner Wellbeing.…”

Cultivating Community Wellbeing: Guiding Principles for Research and Practice

“…Yet, scholars have also studied internal states and skills associated with wellbeing, such as inner peace (Brantmeier 2007;Liu et al 2015), inner balance (Kenney 2000) or inner resilience (Lantieri 2008). White et al (2014) developed an inner wellbeing scale including numerous dimensions: economic, local environment, agency and participation, social connections, close/family relationships, physical and mental health, competence and self worth, and values and meaning. Although they acknowledge the significance of external factors, they emphasize that inner dimensions are also important components of wellbeing.…”