Advancing Quality of Life in a Turbulent World


Book Description

Economically advanced nations have made significant progress toward meeting the basic needs of their populations; the majority of developing countries have not. The thirteen papers in this volume explore a broad range of factors that impact on quality of life worldwide: globalization, regionalization, recently regained political autonomy, migration, health and illness, food and agriculture, the family, and the contribution of faith and spirituality in advancing personal and collective well-being in a turbulent world.




Global Handbook of Quality of Life


Book Description

This handbook provides a comprehensive historical account of the field of Quality of Life. It brings together theoretical insights and empirical findings and presents the main items of global quality of life and wellbeing research. Worldwide in its scope of topics, the handbook examines discussions of demographic and health development, the spread of democracy, global economic accounting, multi-item measurement of perceived satisfaction and expert-assessed quality of life and the well-being of children, women and poor people. It looks at well-being in specific regions, including North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, South America and Eastern and Western Europe. In addition to contributions by leading and younger authors, the handbook includes contributions from International Organizations about their own work with respect to social reporting.




Action Research for Sustainable Development in a Turbulent World


Book Description

Presents and celebrates Action Learning and Action Research (ALAR) through stories, experiences, reflections and specific works of key proponents and participants in ALAR World Congresses. This title argues for the benefits of action research for sustainable development and problem solving in a turbulent world in the 21st century.




Quality of Life and the Millennium Challenge


Book Description

The new millennium is widely considered to be the age of globalisation, democratisation, and human rights. We live in a knowledge society and in a time of risk and uncertainty. World society is rapidly urbanising and ageing and exhausting its natural resources. It is the interplay of such key trends of the era that calls for a fresh approach to measuring quality of life. This collection of papers presents an innovative approach to evaluating living standards and wellbeing under the new circumstances facing individuals and societies in twenty-first century. Contributions cover a wide range of issues that impact positively and negatively on wellbeing in our age. While stability, trust, equal access to resources and the social integration of disadvantaged members of society enhance well-being, poverty, social exclusion, congestion in cities, HIV/AIDS and global warming pose threats to both modern and traditional lifestyles. Methodological refinements of conventional measurement tools are presented that take into consideration the rich diversity of lifestyles and values among different populations and regions of the world. This book will be essential reading for social scientists and ordinary citizens who are concerned about the future of human well-being on our planet.




Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion


Book Description

This volume includes a section on spirituality and hope that brings together theoreticists and practitioners who present original research on this important topic. Alongside this section are papers presenting studies on civic participation, suffering with God and spirituality.




The Human Pursuit of Well-Being


Book Description

This book brings together the latest research on positive psychology from an international cast of researchers and particularly from the growing body of European researchers. The chapters describe research and practice from diverse fields of positive psychology, covering topics such as happiness and well-being, motivation and goals, personality, academic performance and coping, measurement and interventions. The book emphasizes a cultural approach to the human pursuit of well-being. It is unique in that it presents research from a range of cultures, such as Russia, Croatia, and Egypt, in addition to ten different Western cultures. This approach helps broaden our understanding of those aspects of human experience that make life worth living in diverse cultural conditions. The book includes well-known and new authors from the field and contains selected papers that were presented at the 4th European Conference of Positive Psychology held in 2008 in Croatia.




The Power of Hope


Book Description

The must-read inspirational book of the year designed to combat a global "hope shortage." Following in the footsteps of successful inspirational books like The Power of Positive Thinking and The Purpose Driven Life comes the definitive guide for understanding, developing, and strengthening our most important emotion: Hope. The timing couldn't be better. In this engaging self-help "tour de force" authors Anthony Scioli, Ph.D., and Henry Biller, Ph.D., two renowned clinical psychologists, offer thought-provoking insights, compelling case studies, and practical "hope" exercises rooted in spirituality, religion, psychology, and philosophy, as well as their own personal stories of resilience. The result: a deeper assimilation of hope in daily life. In The Power of Hope, readers will encounter: Strategies for overcoming nine kinds of hopelessness as well as for combating depression and suicide Advice on utilizing hope to manage the "day-to-day"—from work and relationships to serious illness, grief, or loss Ways in which hope can impact overall health, exercise, and diet Hope self-assessments, including a hope provider and spiritual intelligence scale Whether one is dealing with a serious health issue, a traumatic past, or just trying to thrive in a time of political and economic unrest, hope is the key to fostering success, love, and survival. The Power of Hope will inspire readers with renewed faith and possibility. "This book is a must read for anyone dealing with adversity and a resource that every healthcare professional should own."—Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and Help Me to Heal




Work, Vacation and Well-being


Book Description

Based on a twenty-year research study, Work, Vacation and Well-being delves into the ubiquitous yet often-underestimated issues surrounding vacation and respite. Providing an original outlook on how breaks from work can be beneficial for the well-being of employees, this book also addresses the potential negative impacts of vacation. Taking into account factors concerning the nature of the break and the person taking it, Etzion delves into the benefits and drawbacks of workplace breaks, from annual leave to maternity leave and sabbaticals. Work, Vacation and Well-being looks at breaks from work through various social and cultural lenses, to present a balanced and well-researched perspective on all angles of taking a break. Perfect for students of Organizational and Health Psychology, Work, Vacation and Well-being also widely appeals to those studying Social Policy, Management Studies, Occupational Health and Research Methods.




Health Inequality and Development


Book Description

This book investigates issues related to health inequality with a particular interest on developing countries. It provides rigorous empirical work on both trends and causal factors behind health inequality, analyzes the implications of health deprivations on poverty traps and suggests practical policies which can be implemented.




Expanding the Boundaries of Work-Family Research


Book Description

With contributions from thirty authors from fifteen countries, this is a 'white book' for international work-family research and practice. The authors offer a bold look at the future and provide guidelines for future research, focusing on applied, international work-family research.