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International Wellbeing Study

The latest results from the International Wellbeing Study (www.wellbeingstudy.com) indicate that New Zealandersâ?? level of happiness compares well with other countries.

Age is significant, with indications that the older a person was, the happier they were (although this is already a robust finding in the literature). Younger people report more depressed mood, more rumination and indicate that they are searching for meaning in life more.

Regarded as one of the most in depth wellbeing studies in the world, the IWS involves over 70 researchers globally, has been completed over 10,000 times in more than 100 countries, and is available in 16 languages. The study began in March 2009 and is ongoing taking in new participant every three months. The latest findings are based around the scores of 6,487 participants (with a New Zealand cohort of 1,558 participants) answering the same 208 questions every three months for a year, and then yearly thereafter.

â??By and large New Zealanders reported in the top end of most wellbeing indicator scales, such as for positive emotions like joy, but interestingly did not use their strengths as frequently. Using your strengths is usually a factor strongly associated with higher wellbeing,â?? says Dr. Aaron Jarden, President of the New Zealand Association of Positive Psychology and lecturer in psychology at the Open Polytechnic. â??Countries that are high in strengths use are generally much more productive and have better performing economies.â??

Some of the most interesting findings to come out of the study to date highlight the importance of both living in alignment with personal values and being satisfied with time use, and how these both strongly predict wellbeing.

The IWS is supported and funded by the Open Polytechnic, Victoria University of Wellington, and the New Zealand Association of Positive Psychology.

Results of this study are set to be published in the International Journal of Wellbeing (www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org) towards the end of 2011. The International Wellbeing Study is currently open to new participants until the end of June.