The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
Media Release: Immediate
Date: 3 March 2009
Research investigates Kiwi’s wellbeing
An international research project is investigating the wellbeing of people in countries around the globe.
Aaron Jarden, the President of the New Zealand Association of Positive Psychology and a lecturer in psychology at the
Open Polytechnic, is leading a team of researchers in The Wellbeing Study, which kicks off this week (1st March) by
inviting Kiwi’s to complete an online survey.
The survey, at www.wellbeingstudy.com, asks participants to answer a number of questions to help the researchers
establish the wellbeing of the respondents and how this changes over time.
The research is timely says Mr Jarden. “Considerable research has been done which measures negative health indicators,
such as depression and disease, and negative economic indicators, such as growth and wealth. However, there is only a
modest amount of research so far measuring positive indicators – such as wellbeing, strengths, engagement, and
happiness.”
“The aim of The Wellbeing Study is to learn more about all aspects of human nature, and how these change. In short, this
approach will help us to unpick some of the most tantalising questions that our society faces today.”
The research team includes Mr Jarden’s colleagues from the Open Polytechnic, as well as researchers from institutions
around New Zealand, the UK and USA.
Anyone who would like to participate in the study is invited to complete the first survey at www.wellbeingstudy.com by
the 8th March.
Once participants have registered to be part of the study and completed the first set of questions, they will then be
asked to complete another four scheduled assessments until the end of March 2010.
Participants will be offered the opportunity to opt-in to free internet based wellbeing orientated courses, draws for
vouchers, and be provided with a report on their wellbeing scores at the end of five assessments.
Ends