What is Wellbeing?

There are various efforts to define wellbeing, which has resulted in the creation of a number of metrics. The PERMA theory of wellbeing states there are five building blocks to flourishing- Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Deiner’s flourishing scale is an 8-item measure of self-perceived success in areas including relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism. Gallup’s wellbeing index names five elements that make up wellbeing: career wellbeing, social wellbeing, financial wellbeing, physical wellbeing and community wellbeing. Harvard’s Flourishing consists of five domains: happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, and close social relationships. The Coalition embraces all of these efforts to better understand wellbeing in all its forms.

A growing body of research shows that specific higher education experiences – including experiential learning and emotionally supportive mentorship – are linked to long-term wellbeing. These transformational experiences are the vehicles through which students’ sense of identity, agency, purpose, belonging and dedication to the common good are cultivated. Coalition projects are experimenting with varying combinations of these elements, with the common goal of improving lifelong student wellbeing.

Identity

In developing a sense of identity, college students are discovering who they are, what they believe in and value, and how they view their place in the world. Emotionally supportive mentor relationships have been shown to increase students’ self-esteem, confidence in their own abilities and in their chosen field of study, positive feelings about their career and work experience and a strong sense of the professional self.

Agency

College students with a sense of agency feel a sense of control over their own life circumstances and futures, which is critically important as young people navigate their lives post-graduation. With agency, students take a proactive, intentional role in their own life trajectories, rather than a passive one.

Purpose

Engaging students in discussion of their purpose in life, aligning who they are with what they do is critical to a transformational education. Developing a sense of purpose necessarily involves creating and working towards goals that are personally meaningful. Research shows that purpose is directly linked to long-term wellbeing, grit and resilience in the face of stressors. Deriving a sense of purpose in their work is very important to younger generations, though many struggle to find it.

BELONGING

The need for a sense of belonging is widely considered a fundamental human motivation. A robust body of research shows that belonging, or feeling part of a community, is a powerful driver of overall well being, academic achievement, and life satisfaction. Additionally, research shows that having a stable sense of belonging during college improves career satisfaction, wellbeing and community involvement after graduation, an effect that is especially strong for historically marginalized groups.