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Well-Being on Prince Edward Island, Canada: a Statistical Case-Study of Well-Being Related Community Factors

June 2022
International Journal of Community Well-Being 5(3):617-655

DOI:10.1007/s42413-022-00169-3

Authors:

Connolly Aziz

PEI Alliance For Mental Well-Being

Tim Lomas

Harvard University

This research continues the advances in applied positive psychology by measuring and exploring the factors which contribute to the happiness among people living in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. This research provides a province-wide account of subjective well-being (SWB), which is defined as a person’s cognitive and affective evaluation of his or her life, by answering the questions: What is the measurable level of well-being of individuals in PEI? What are the relationships between community factors and components of well-being in PEI? Which quality of life factors most influence individual’s emotions and life satisfaction in PEI? Participation was voluntary, anonymous, and included just over 1% of the adult population of residents (n = 1381). Data was collected online between October and November 2020. Demographic variables were collected and analyzed using variance of mean scores from three self-reported well-being measures, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive and Negative Effect Schedule, and the World Health Organization’s (brief) Quality of Life Scale. Regression analysis was used to investigate contributions to well-being. Findings uncovered inequity in well-being among minority populations including, LGBT, gender diverse, Indigenous, disabled, and those living under the poverty line. This study provides a deeper understanding that Islanders view psychological health and healthy environment as important aspects of quality of life influencing their well-being. Results build on existing theories on the influence of income, age, and education have on well-being. Finally, the research provides a starting point and methodology for the continuous measurement and tracking of both the affective and cognitive accounts of well-being on PEI, or in other communities, provinces, or islands. This research provides insight into happiness as an indicator of how our society is performing and adds momentum towards the adoption of sustainable development goals, such as national happiness.

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International Journal of Community Well-Being (2022) 5:617–655

https://doi.org/10.1007/s42413-022-00169-3

1 3

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Well‑Being onPrince Edward Island, Canada: aStatistical

Case‑Study ofWell‑Being Related Community Factors

ConnollyAziz1 · TimLomas1 · ScarletteMattoli1

Received: 21 September 2021 / Accepted: 5 May 2022 / Published online: 15 June 2022

Abstract

This research continues the advances in applied positive psychology by measuring

and exploring the factors which contribute to the happiness among people living

in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. This research provides a province-wide

account of subjective well-being (SWB), which is deﬁned as a person’s cognitive

and aﬀective evaluation of his or her life, by answering the questions: What is the

measurable level of well-being of individuals in PEI? What are the relationships

between community factors and components of well-being in PEI? Which quality of

life factors most inﬂuence individual’s emotions and life satisfaction in PEI? Partici-

pation was voluntary, anonymous, and included just over 1% of the adult population

of residents (n = 1381). Data was collected online between October and November

2020. Demographic variables were collected and analyzed using variance of mean

scores from three self-reported well-being measures, Satisfaction with Life Scale,

Positive and Negative Eﬀect Schedule, and the World Health Organization’s (brief)

Quality of Life Scale. Regression analysis was used to investigate contributions to

well-being. Findings uncovered inequity in well-being among minority populations

including, LGBT, gender diverse, Indigenous, disabled, and those living under the

poverty line. This study provides a deeper understanding that Islanders view psy-

chological health and healthy environment as important aspects of quality of life

inﬂuencing their well-being. Results build on existing theories on the inﬂuence of

income, age, and education have on well-being. Finally, the research provides a

starting point and methodology for the continuous measurement and tracking of

both the aﬀective and cognitive accounts of well-being on PEI, or in other commu-

nities, provinces, or islands. This research provides insight into happiness as an indi-

cator of how our society is performing and adds momentum towards the adoption of

sustainable development goals, such as national happiness.

Keywords Applied positive psychology· Subjective well-being· Quality of life·

Account of well-being· Prince Edward Island· Canada

* Connolly Aziz

Connolly@AllianceForMentalWellBeing.com

Extended author information available on the last page of the article

Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.

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