Work and well-being in an ethnoculturally pluralistic society: Conceptual and methodological issues.

1994 ◽  
pp. 147-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Marsella
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Pluralistic Society

Labor Law and the Capabilities Approach

2019 ◽  
pp. 62-81
Author(s):  
Martha C. Nussbaum
Keyword(s):  
Informal Economy ◽  
Political Liberalism ◽  
Labor Law ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Capabilities Approach ◽  
The Political ◽  
Respect For Persons ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
Equal Respect ◽  
Constitutional Right

Labor law scholars often discuss the “Capability Approach” as if it were a single thing with clearly defined content. However, it is best seen as a family of approaches. This paper first clarifies what the different versions of the approach have in common: a commitment to replacing measurement of well-being by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita by a focus on a group of substantial freedoms or opportunities for choice. It then goes on to clarify some deep differences between Amartya Sen’s version of the approach and that used by Nussbaum. Nussbaum’s version is intended to supply a basis for political principles in a pluralistic society, and thus, eschews on grounds of equal respect for persons any commitment to a comprehensive doctrine of freedom or autonomy, given that in a pluralistic society citizens, religious and secular, differ about these values. It also avoids, in consequence, a commitment to maximizing freedom. Even though Sen distinguishes maximizing from optimizing and allows for plural conceptions of the good, he goes further than Nussbaum in prioritizing autonomy and reason-based conceptions. And because he does not endorse a list his maximizing exercise seems fully general; by contrast, Nussbaum’s the political goal is understood to be to secure to all citizens, by constitutional right, an ample threshold amount of (only) ten central opportunities or capabilities as a partial conception. She defends this approach, in terms of Rawlsian “political liberalism,” as more consonant with equal respect for persons. In further clarifying these ideas, the paper also discusses the role of feminist economics in developing the approach, and recommends a focus on the informal economy and the political assignment of financial value to women’s unpaid domestic work.

scholarly journals Cortisol as a Biomarker of Stress in Term Human Labor

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca D. Benfield ◽  
Edward R. Newton ◽  
Charles J. Tanner ◽  
Margaret M. Heitkemper
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Clinical Interventions ◽  
Complex Plasma ◽  
Delivery Outcomes ◽  
Psychophysiological Stress ◽  
Human Labor ◽  
Repeated Measures Designs

Literature on the use of plasma cortisol to quantify psychophysiological stress in humans is extensive. However, in parturition at term gestation, the use of cortisol as a biomarker of stress is particularly complex. Plasma cortisol levels increase as labor progresses. This increase seems to be important for maintenance of maternal/fetal well-being and facilitation of normal labor progress. Unique physiological and methodological issues involved in the use of cortisol as a biomarker of stress in labor present challenges for researchers. This review examines these issues, suggests mixed methods and within-subject repeated measures designs, and offers recommendations for assay procedures for parturient sampling. Documentation of clinical interventions and delivery outcomes may elucidate relationships among psychophysiological stressors, cortisol, and normal labor progress. With attention to these methodological issues, analysis of plasma cortisol may lead to clinical interventions that support normal labor physiology.

scholarly journals Universal, school-based interventions to promote mental and emotional well-being: what is being done in the UK and does it work? A systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e022560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Mackenzie ◽  
Christopher Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Study Quality ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
School Based ◽  
School Based Interventions ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesThe present review aimed to assess the quality, content and evidence of efficacy of universally delivered (to all pupils aged 5–16 years), school-based, mental health interventions designed to promote mental health/well-being and resilience, using a validated outcome measure and provided within the UK in order to inform UK schools-based well-being implementation.DesignA systematic review of published literature set within UK mainstream school settings.Data sourcesEmbase, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PsychArticles, ASSIA and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences published between 2000 and April 2016.Eligibility criteriaPublished in English; universal interventions that aimed to improve mental health/emotional well-being in a mainstream school environment; school pupils were the direct recipients of the intervention; pre-post design utilised allowing comparison using a validated outcome measure.Data extraction and synthesis12 studies were identified including RCTs and non-controlled pre-post designs (5 primary school based, 7 secondary school based). A narrative synthesis was applied with study quality check.1ResultsEffectiveness of school-based universal interventions was found to be neutral or small with more positive effects found for poorer quality studies and those based in primary schools (pupils aged 9–12 years). Studies varied widely in their use of measures and study design. Only four studies were rated ‘excellent’ quality. Methodological issues such as small sample size, varying course fidelity and lack of randomisation reduced overall study quality. Where there were several positive outcomes, effect sizes were small, and methodological issues rendered many results to be interpreted with caution. Overall, results suggested a trend whereby higher quality studies reported less positive effects. The only study that conducted a health economic analysis suggested the intervention was not cost-effective.ConclusionsThe current evidence suggests there are neutral to small effects of universal, school-based interventions in the UK that aim to promote emotional or mental well-being or the prevention of mental health difficulties. Robust, long-term methodologies need to be pursued ensuring adequate recording of fidelity, the use of validated measures sensitive to mechanisms of change, reporting of those lost to follow-up and any adverse effects. Further high-quality and large-scale research is required across the UK in order to robustly test any long-term benefits for pupils or on the wider educational or health system.

Whither the Third Quarter Phenomenon?

2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (8) ◽  
pp. 689-691
Author(s):  
Nick Kanas ◽  
Vadim Gushin ◽  
Anna Yusupova
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demand Characteristic ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
The Third ◽  
Individual Personality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Simulation Environments

INTRODUCTION: In 1991, Bechtel and Berning proposed that a decrement in morale and well-being affects people working in isolated and confined environments during the third quarter of their mission. Studies conducted during such conditions have suggested that whereas some people may experience such a phenomenon, it is not a typical occurrence in space or space simulation environments. Possible reasons for varying outcomes include demand characteristic bias, individual personality traits, training omissions, experimental methodological issues, and the impact of mission events on crewmember well-being. Research related to a future Mars expedition needs to investigate the impact of these factors.Kanas N, Gushin V, Yusupova A. Whither the third quarter phenomenon? Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(8):689691.

Non-religion, atheism, and mental health

2021 ◽  
pp. 259-276
Author(s):  
Miguel Farias ◽  
Thomas J. Coleman III
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Religious Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
The World ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Health And Well Being

Based on the well-established link between religiosity and positive mental health outcomes, it has been argued that non-religiosity is a health liability. However, most of this research suffers from methodological problems that limit their generalizability to non-religious populations, such as atheists and agnostics. In this chapter, we draw attention to these methodological issues, and argue in favour of a richer conceptualization of non-religion than has been theorized in previous literature. We further review recent work from various countries around the world, which challenges the notion that non-religiosity presents a health risk, finding instead that the non-religious experience similar levels of health and well-being benefits as the religious. We end by briefly discussing the limitations and recent backlash at this literature, while suggesting that the study of the non-religious may transform how we understand the interaction between beliefs, rituals, and health.

scholarly journals SCALES FOR MEASURING AGEISM AS EXPERIENCED BY OLDER ADULTS: LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGICAL CRITIQUE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S245-S245
Author(s):  
Hyun Kang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Rigorous Analysis ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
People’S Attitudes

Abstract A growing body of research shows that ageism negatively affects older adults’ psychological well-being and even physical functioning. However, the tools to measure ageism as experienced by older adults are not well developed. This study reviewed the literature on ageism scale with an emphasis on the methodological issues. Most standardized ageism scales have focused on younger people’s attitudes and beliefs toward older adults. We found only one standardized scale that examined how older adults felt and thought about their experiences being treated as a stereotype. However, the scale is incomplete because it does not fully measure ageism and it has received far less rigorous analysis. Many studies have adopted and revised ageism scales that were developed specifically to measure younger people’s attitudes toward older adults, meaning that the scales’ validity has been problematic when administered to older adults. Furthermore, many studies that discussed older adults’ experience of ageism used uni-dimensional or simple measures. Although significant efforts have been made to outline ageism’s various dimensions and constructs, these efforts have not led to a common consensus on ageism and its characteristics. Lack of consensus, in turn, makes it harder to develop a standardized scale. Finally, existing scales are more suitable for Western societies. Socio-cultural uniqueness has not been considered when developing scales, nor has the scales’ cross-cultural reliability and validity been tested. Our findings suggest that a new scale that applies only to measuring ageism as perceived by older adults and corresponds to the significant dimensions of ageism must be developed.

scholarly journals al-Wasatiyyah in the practice of religious tolerance among the families of new Muslims in sustaining a well-being society

Humanomics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadijah Mohd Khambali@Hambali ◽  
Suraya Sintang ◽  
Azarudin Awang ◽  
Khairul Nizam Mat Karim ◽  
Nur Farhana Abdul Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Main Element ◽  
Religious Tolerance ◽  
Pluralistic Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Data Accumulation ◽  
East Malaysia ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The main value in a culture of tolerance is wasatiyyah. The fragility of relationships and misunderstanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities occurs when attention to values of tolerance which need more attention on moderation was not practiced especially in the life of a new Muslim convert community. Thus, the practice of moderation is one mechanism proposed by the government to ensure a harmonious continuation of life in a religious community can be achieved. For that, a qualitative study design was used to describe the current status of a phenomenon that occurs among new Muslim converts. The purposive sampling method is used to determine the applications of wasatiyyah in new Muslims’ life tolerance at Kota Kinabalu (East Malaysia) and Kuala Terengganu (West Malaysia). Although the study was conducted at two different locations, there is a relationship between religious phenomena that occur in the new Muslims community in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to see the practical concept of moderation in the life of new Muslims and their relation with Muslims and non-Muslims. The results showed that the value of moderation was applied in the aspect of tolerance. The application of Wasatiyyah in practice of tolerance had helped non-Muslims family members to change their attitudes and perception towards Islam. This study suggests the values of wasatiyyah in the life of religious tolerance, need to be nourished especially in multiethnic society when sharing a living places, education and employment for better social development as well as a well-being pluralistic society. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted through descriptive data qualitative methods. Purposive sampling was used which refers to a group that has the characteristics of samples required by researchers (Mohd Najib Abdul Ghafar 2003). This study applies the method of in-depth interview with the selected new Muslims around Kota Kinabalu (representing East Malaysia) and around Kuala Terengganu (representing Peninsular Malaysia/West Malaysia). Thus, data accumulation involves new Muslims (new Converts) from various ethnics (Sabahan and Sarawakian) which comprise Kadazandusun, Murut, Rungus, Sino and Iban. Secondly, those are from the Peninsular Malaysia which includes Chinese and Indian. Whereas in Kuala Terengganu, data accumulation involves new Muslims from various ethnics (Chinese, Indian, Sarawakian and others). The result of the interview is shown through descriptive narratives which display the practice of tolerance in the form of supportive interaction from the non-Muslim families towards the new Muslims in Islamic lifestyle. Findings The concept of wasatiyyah has nurturing tolerance among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim as well as fostering harmony among the diverse ethnics in Malaysia. Based on the discussion, it was observed that the concept of wasatiyyah had a great influence on the relationship among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim, as it had a strong link with the value of akhlaq that have been embedded in the Muslim community. The wasatiyyah is the main element that shapes the relationship, and it is the results of interaction with social norms, for it has bred certain social values that include tolerance, compromise, modesty, respect and cooperation as transpired when they (Muslim and newly Muslim) interact among themselves or with other communities. Furthermore, the main goal for the concept is to maintain peace and built well-being in the society as well as bracing racial ties in Malaysia, especially among Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim. Originality/value Tolerance is a culture that founded the co-existence of pluralistic society in Malaysia. The culture of tolerance can only be built if ethnic tolerance and religious tolerance is accepted as a common practice – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The description of wasatiyyah in the practice of religious tolerance among the families of new Muslims is the platform towards the acculturation of tolerance in the societal life from different faith and ethnics. It can be said that the higher the tolerance of ethnic, the higher is the religious tolerance, which is manifested through the application of wasatiyyah between people from different religions. This situation is highlighted in the relations of Muslim, newly Muslim and non-Muslim in Sabah and Terengganu where the culture of tolerance is apparent in the life together. Extensive interaction through encounters, acquaintance and co-existence that shape the friendship, brotherhood and kinship is the best formula in nurturing the culture of tolerance in the pluralistic society of Malaysia. Perhaps, the concept of wasatiyyah may be implemented in the whole aspect of life in the context of Malaysia. It is because the term wasatiyyah has the main sources of Islamic epistemology as well as sustaining the well-being pluralistic society without destroying the differences.

scholarly journals SOME CONCEPTUAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES ON HAPPINESS: LESSONS FROM EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (04) ◽  
pp. 1540001 ◽  
Author(s):  
YEW-KWANG NG
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Scientific Study ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Methodological Problems ◽  
Fitness Maximization ◽  
Happiness Measurement

Despite recent intense interest, happiness studies have been impeded by some conceptual and methodological problems, including viewing happiness (well-being/welfare) as different over different persons, as relative, multi-dimensional, non-cardinally measurable, interpersonally non-comparable and using non-cardinal and interpersonally non-comparable methods of happiness measurement. Using the evolutionary biology of happiness, this paper argues that happiness is absolute, universal, and uni-dimensional and is also cardinally measurable and interpersonally comparable. This is needed to make choices motivated by reward (pleasure) and punishment (pain) consistent with fitness maximization. However, happiness indices obtained by virtually all existing methods of happiness measurement are largely non-cardinal and non-comparable, making the use of averaging in group happiness indices of dubious philosophical validity. A method of measuring happiness to give cardinal and interpersonally comparable indices is discussed. These may contribute towards the more scientific study of happiness that is based on sounder methodological grounds as well as yielding more useful results.

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