Lucy Hone, Human Potential Centre, AUT NZAPP Conference June 9th 2013

Human Potential Centre, AUT

Lucy Hone, Human Potential Centre, AUTNZAPP Conference June 9th 2013


“filled with positive emotion and to be functioning well psychologically and socially” (Keyes, 2002)

“to live within an optimal range of human functioning, one that connotes goodness, generativity, growth and resilience” (Fredrickson & Losada, 2005)

“the experience of life going well… a combination of feeling good and functioning effectively” (Huppert & So, 2009)

“upper ranges of positive emotion, engagement, meaning, positive relationships, and positive accomplishment” (Seligman, 2011)


Why should we measure flourishing?• If we only measure GDP we have no idea how

society is functioning/feeling as a whole• If we only measure mental illness we’ll never

know about flourishing• Single item measures of Life Satisfaction miss so

much detail on wellbeing• Guide public policy for targeted intervention• Allow changes in wellbeing to be tracked over

time• Allows for international comparisons


Why should we measure flourishing?

• Learning• Productivity• Creativity• Relationships• Pro-social behaviour• Health• Life expectancy

(Diener et al., 2010; Huppert 2009)


Keyes 2002 (2005; 2009; 2010)• Languishers TWO TIMES more likely to have

depression as moderate mentally healthy• Languishers SIX TIMES as likely to have had

depression as flourishers• Languishers reported significantly more severe

limitations on daily activities (vacuuming, lifting, bathing) compared to flourishers

• Languishers FOUR TIMES as likely to have missed ≥ 6 days of work than moderate mentally healthy.



The Flourishing Scale: Diener et al (2009)1. I lead a purposeful & meaningful life2. My social relationships are supportive & rewarding3. I am engaged & interested in my daily activities4. I actively contribute to the happiness & wellbeing of

others5. I am competent & capable in the activities that are

important to me6. I am a good person & lead a good life7. I am optimistic about my future8. People respect me


Who’s flourishing in NZ (using the Flourishing Scale)?

• Older, female and wealthier NZers on average showed higher levels of flourishing (FS)

• Only very small differences in levels of flourishing between ethnic groups and regions

Sovereign Wellbeing Index (2013)


• Mean = 43.38, SD = 8.65 (n = 9,858)• Min = 8, Max = 56• Skewness = -1.1• Percentiles = 39.00 (25th)

46.00 (50th)49.00 (75th)

• 25% scored ≥50

NZ data (SWI): Flourishing Scale






















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Lucy Hone, Human Potential Centre, AUT NZAPP Conference June 9th 2013