The Personal Well-being Index (PWI) has been a crucial tool for measuring subjective well-being across various life domains. Developed by the International Wellbeing Group, the PWI traditionally includes seven domains: standard of living, health, achieving in life, relationships, safety, community-connectedness, and future security. These domains collectively provide a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s well-being, informing policies and programs aimed at enhancing quality of life.
Proposal for a New Domain: Spirituality and Religiosity
In the study “Spirituality and Subjective Well-Being: Evidence for a New Domain in the Personal Well-Being Index,” Eduardo Wills proposed an additional domain: “Spirituality and Religiosity.” This domain focuses on satisfaction with an individual’s spiritual and religious beliefs and practices. The study, conducted in Bogota, Colombia, found that spirituality and religiosity significantly predicted overall life satisfaction. It highlighted the eudaimonic perspective, emphasising the actualisation of human potential and virtuous living, contrasting with the hedonic focus on pleasure and pain avoidance.
Why the PWI Has Not Been Updated
Despite the compelling findings, the PWI has not been officially updated to include spirituality and religiosity. Several reasons account for this omission:
- Need for Further Research: The initial study, though significant, might not provide enough evidence for immediate inclusion. More extensive research across diverse cultural contexts is required to validate this new domain universally.
- Cultural Variability: The importance of spirituality and religiosity varies across cultures. The strong impact observed in Colombia might not be as pronounced in less religious societies, necessitating extensive validation across different settings.
- Complexity of Measurement: Spirituality and religiosity are complex and multifaceted, posing challenges for accurate measurement. Clear, consistent definitions and disentangling these constructs are essential before inclusion.
- Overlap with Existing Domains: Potential overlap with domains such as community-connectedness and life purpose requires careful analysis to ensure the new domain adds unique value.
- Institutional and Practical Considerations: Updating widely-used tools involves significant logistical challenges, including consensus among researchers, funding, and time for revision and implementation.
- Ongoing Academic Debate: Divergent views and the need for robust, consensual support among the academic community might slow the update process.
Impacts of Omitting Spirituality and Religiosity on Well-Being Programmes
The omission of spirituality and religiosity from the PWI could have notable impacts on the effectiveness of well-being programmes. Gallup studies have consistently shown the significant role of spirituality and religiosity in enhancing well-being. Here are some potential impacts:
- Incomplete Assessment: Without this domain, well-being assessments may overlook a critical aspect of life satisfaction, particularly in cultures where spirituality and religiosity are integral to daily life.
- Programme Effectiveness: Well-being programmes based on incomplete assessments might fail to address key factors that contribute to overall happiness and fulfillment, reducing their effectiveness.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Programmes lacking consideration of spirituality and religiosity might not resonate well in highly religious cultures, leading to lower engagement and impact.
- Policy Implications: Policymakers might miss essential insights into the well-being of their populations, leading to less effective or misdirected interventions.
Conclusion
The evolution of the Personal Well-being Index (PWI) has significantly contributed to understanding and enhancing subjective well-being. However, the omission of spirituality and religiosity, despite evidence of their importance, presents challenges for creating comprehensive and effective well-being programmes. Incorporating these dimensions could lead to more accurate assessments and impactful interventions, ultimately fostering a more holistic approach to well-being that aligns with diverse cultural values and individual needs. As the academic debate continues and further research is conducted, there is potential for the PWI to evolve and integrate these critical aspects of human life.
For further empirical evidence on the connection between Spirituality and Wellbeing check out: Spirituality and Subjective Well-Being: Evidences for a New Domain in the Personal Well-Being Index.
Academy of Life Planning 