5 Developing a Biographical Approach to Happiness and Wellbeing
-
Mark Cieslik
Abstract
I became interested in happiness studies in the early years of this century as much of the sociological research I had undertaken up to then had been concerned with the many problems people experience in modern societies – educational failure, unemployment, poverty, drug use and offending. I was keen to develop a more balanced account of everyday life as even the most troubled and disadvantaged subjects I researched spoke of their interests, hobbies and small moments of joy in their lives. Thus began an interest in researching the wellbeing of ordinary people – documenting these challenges of life that sociology traditionally explores but with a greater focus on more positive and nurturing experiences that makes life worth living. Approaching middle age, my friends were struggling with demanding careers, teenage children, health problems, failing marriages and bereavement. We were all curious about the strengths, resources and skills needed to live well during these times. We were intrigued by how much of life seems beyond our control, structured by wider social forces yet wished to understand how best to adapt to, resist and manage these influences. Can sociological research into wellbeing offer us insights into the different ways of managing life’s challenges? Reviewing the research at the time suggested there were few projects that addressed these questions as many studies offered broad surveys of life satisfaction or critiqued the happiness industry and its commodification of wellbeing. I was interested to hear the voices and stories of ordinary people talking about a good life; how their differing relationships, rituals, communities and shared histories informed their wellbeing.
Abstract
I became interested in happiness studies in the early years of this century as much of the sociological research I had undertaken up to then had been concerned with the many problems people experience in modern societies – educational failure, unemployment, poverty, drug use and offending. I was keen to develop a more balanced account of everyday life as even the most troubled and disadvantaged subjects I researched spoke of their interests, hobbies and small moments of joy in their lives. Thus began an interest in researching the wellbeing of ordinary people – documenting these challenges of life that sociology traditionally explores but with a greater focus on more positive and nurturing experiences that makes life worth living. Approaching middle age, my friends were struggling with demanding careers, teenage children, health problems, failing marriages and bereavement. We were all curious about the strengths, resources and skills needed to live well during these times. We were intrigued by how much of life seems beyond our control, structured by wider social forces yet wished to understand how best to adapt to, resist and manage these influences. Can sociological research into wellbeing offer us insights into the different ways of managing life’s challenges? Reviewing the research at the time suggested there were few projects that addressed these questions as many studies offered broad surveys of life satisfaction or critiqued the happiness industry and its commodification of wellbeing. I was interested to hear the voices and stories of ordinary people talking about a good life; how their differing relationships, rituals, communities and shared histories informed their wellbeing.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables v
- Notes on Authors vi
- Introduction: Developing Qualitative Research into Happiness and Wellbeing 1
-
Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Theories, Debates and Issues
- Living Well Together: On Happiness, Social Goods and Genuinely Progressive Sociology 21
- Happiness as an Affective Practice: Self, Suffering and Biography 47
- Personal Happiness, Social Unhappiness: Understanding the Complexity of Individual Happiness Accounts 69
-
Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Communities, Biographies and Identities
- Developing a Biographical Approach to Happiness and Wellbeing 93
- Considering the Body in Happiness Research 113
- How Cultural Heritage can Contribute to Community Development and Wellbeing 133
- On Post-traumatic Growth and ‘Choosing’ to be Happy: Stories of Positive Change from African Refugees and Asylum Seekers 155
- Using Social Wellbeing to Inform Regeneration Strategies in a Former Colliery Town in Northern England 175
-
Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Methodological Innovations
- A Board Game Approach to Studying the Multidimensionality of Life Satisfaction 199
- ‘Show Me What Makes You Happy at Work’: Visualizing Happiness in the Workplace 219
- Index 241
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables v
- Notes on Authors vi
- Introduction: Developing Qualitative Research into Happiness and Wellbeing 1
-
Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Theories, Debates and Issues
- Living Well Together: On Happiness, Social Goods and Genuinely Progressive Sociology 21
- Happiness as an Affective Practice: Self, Suffering and Biography 47
- Personal Happiness, Social Unhappiness: Understanding the Complexity of Individual Happiness Accounts 69
-
Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Communities, Biographies and Identities
- Developing a Biographical Approach to Happiness and Wellbeing 93
- Considering the Body in Happiness Research 113
- How Cultural Heritage can Contribute to Community Development and Wellbeing 133
- On Post-traumatic Growth and ‘Choosing’ to be Happy: Stories of Positive Change from African Refugees and Asylum Seekers 155
- Using Social Wellbeing to Inform Regeneration Strategies in a Former Colliery Town in Northern England 175
-
Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Methodological Innovations
- A Board Game Approach to Studying the Multidimensionality of Life Satisfaction 199
- ‘Show Me What Makes You Happy at Work’: Visualizing Happiness in the Workplace 219
- Index 241
