Policy Press

Researching Happiness

Qualitative, Biographical and Critical Perspectives

Edited by Mark Cieslik

Published

May 25, 2021

Page count

258 pages

ISBN

978-1529206135

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

May 25, 2021

Page count

258 pages

ISBN

978-1529206128

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

May 25, 2021

Page count

258 pages

ISBN

978-1529206166

Dimensions

Imprint

Bristol University Press

Published

May 25, 2021

Page count

258 pages

ISBN

978-1529206166

Dimensions

Imprint

Bristol University Press
Researching Happiness

In the past, happiness studies has been dominated by the work of philosophers, economists and psychologists, but more recently there has been a growing interest from social scientist into the natures of happiness and wellbeing.

This original collection draws on the latest empirical research to explore the practical challenges facing happiness researchers today, such as how to conduct happiness research in different cultural contexts, how to theorise wellbeing or how to operationalise definitions of happiness in qualitative and biographical research.

By uniquely combining the critical approach of sociology with techniques from other disciplines, the contributors illuminate new approaches to the study of happiness and well-being.

Mark Cieslik is a sociologist in the Department of Social Sciences at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Chapter 1. Introduction: Developing Qualitative Research into Happiness and Wellbeing - Mark Cieslik, Northumbria University

Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Theories, Debates and Issues

Chapter 2. Living Well Together: On Happiness, Social Goods and Genuinely Progressive Sociology - Neil Thin

Chapter 3. Happiness as an Affective Practice: Self, Suffering and Biography - Nicholas Hill

Chapter 4. Personal Happiness, Social Unhappiness: Understanding the Tomplexity of Individual Happiness Accounts - David Tross

Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Communities, Biographies and Identities

Chapter 5. Developing a Biographical Approach to Happiness and Wellbeing - Mark Cieslik

Chapter 6. Considering the Body in Happiness Research - Richard Gibbons

Chapter 7. How can Cultural Heritage Contribute to Community Development and Wellbeing - Claire Wallace and David Beel

Chapter 8. On Post-Traumatic Growth and ‘Choosing’ to be Happy: Stories of Positive Change from African Refugees and Asylum Seekers -Brianne Wenning

Chapter 9. Using Social Wellbeing to Inform Regeneration Strategies in a Former Colliery Town in Northern England - Kelly Johnson and Sarah Coulthard

Qualitative Research into Happiness/Wellbeing: Methodological Innovations

Chapter 10. A Board Game Approach to Studying the Multi-dimensionality of Life Satisfaction - Barbara Holthus and Wolfram Manzenreiter

Chapter 11. Show Me What Makes you Happy at Work’? Visualising Happiness in the Workplace - Ilona Suojanen