Quality of Life and Social Change Notes

Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research

  • Edited by Alex C. Michalos

  • Publisher: Springer Reference

Social Caste

  • Contains references from various authors and journals:

    • Poortinga, W. (2006). "Social capital: An individual or collective resource for health?" Social Science & Medicine, 62, 292–302.

    • Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    • Veenstra, G., et al. (2005). "Who you know, where you live: Social capital, neighbourhood and health." Social Science & Medicine, 60, 2799-2818.

Social Change

  • Author: Erin K. Sharpe, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada

Definition of Social Change

  • Social change is defined as the transformation of the cultural and structural elements of society over time. This includes systems, institutions, practices, norms, or values.

  • Changes in society are often driven by technological innovation, environmental pressures, or diffusion of cultural beliefs.

  • Researchers often investigate how such influences affect other aspects of social life, e.g., health status, family patterns, cultural beliefs, quality of life.

Types of Social Change Initiatives

  • Initiatives may arise through:

    • Planned Efforts: Organized by individuals or groups aiming to facilitate change.

    • Governmental Efforts: Seen as social planning when driven by social institutions.

    • Collective Action: Often arises when citizens perceive failures in formal planning processes. Examples include activism or community organizing.

    • Scope & Duration:

      • Vast variance in how organized or spontaneous collective actions can be, lasting from brief protests to prolonged movements.

    • Collective Action Types: Protests, campaigns, strikes, etc.

  • Some collective actions are more localized and short-lived whereas others can be extensive, organized, and have a wide-reaching impact.

Social Movements

  • Historically significant in enacting change and cover issues from material conditions (e.g., wages) to civil rights.

  • Examples of new social movements:

    • Feminist Movement

    • Gay Rights Movement

    • Anti-globalization Movements

  • Transition from early movements' focus on material well-being to post-materialist movements concerning identity politics, civil rights, and inclusion.

Tactics in Social Movements

  • Evolving strategies to express messages, such as:

    • Direct action

    • Lifestyle politics

    • Celebratory or performative methods (e.g., Pride parades, Occupy movement, AIDS Quilt).

Political Implications of Social Change

  • Inherently political efforts aimed at redefining societal norms and values, questioning what is seen as normal or acceptable.

  • Often leads to counter-movements opposing desired changes within society.

Well-Being and Participation in Activism

  • Benefits linked to participation in activism include:

    • Improved psychological well-being

    • Increased perceived control and empowerment in personal lives (Zimmerman & Rappaport, 1988)

    • Example: Individuals with HIV involved in activist associations show better coping strategies and health-related knowledge (Brashers, Haas, Neidig, & Rintamaki, 2002).

Community Quality of Life

  • Many changes aimed at improving community quality of life have resulted from collective action.

  • Critique: Benefits often accrue mainly to middle-class citizens; initiatives may lead to gentrification or have racial implications (Gregory, 1993).

  • Success depends on access to institutional power and capacity to influence community perceptions (Speer & Hughey, 1995).

Quality of Life and Activism

  • Quality of life reflects not only physical health but includes self-esteem, personal control, belongingness, and purpose (Renwick & Brown, 1996).

  • Quality of Life Activism: Focuses on root causes of social issues impacting quality of life rather than merely treatment of symptoms.

  • Current issues addressed: Elder abuse, bullying, homophobia, stigma surrounding mental illness.

Social Changes in Crime

  • Author: Anna Rita Manca, European Institute for Gender Equality, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Definition of Social Cohesion

  • Describes the connectedness and solidarity among societal groups.

  • Two primary dimensions:

    • Community belonging

    • Inter-member relationships

  • Affected by efforts to establish balance, sustain economic dynamism, and create national identity.

  • Aims to reduce inequality and socioeconomic disparities; effectively links individual freedom with social justice, economic efficiency, and effective conflict resolution.

Conceptual Approaches to Social Cohesion

  • Definitions vary with culture, political ideas, and historical context.

  • Durkheim's perspective: A cohesive society exhibits mutual moral support, fostering collective energy rather than isolating individuals (Durkheim, 1893).

References

  • Full citations of studies and publications cited throughout the notes.