Позитивные изменения. Том 3, № 4 (2023). Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 4(2023). Редакция журнала «Позитивные изменения»
known as WALY – life years adjusted based on the subjective level of well-being.
“Potential” comprises the following characteristics:
1) Access to employment opportunities that enable income and professional growth.
2) Extensive opportunities for receiving quality education for both children and adults.
3) Convenient transportation within the city and the ability to travel beyond its borders.
4) Effective governance and protection of civil rights.
“We consistently emphasize: this is not a ranking; it’s a diagnostic tool. It is crucial for us to identify areas where we may be falling short and to understand why. It is essential to examine the results in a comparative context. Why is this important? If our employees and their families move from one plant to another, we want to assess how their quality of life might change,” explains Irina Bakhtina.
Based on the results of 2022, regional centers such as Volgograd, Krasnoyarsk, Sayanogorsk, Novokuznetsk, along with the Sharypovsky district of the Krasnoyarsk Krai and Kandalaksha in the Murmansk region, took the lead in the index rankings. Conversely, the territories of the Irkutsk region lagged behind. For instance, Taishet, a city in the Irkutsk region with a population of 34,000, occupied the 21st position out of 21 in terms of socio-economic well-being. Respondents provided a low subjective rating of urban improvement quality, highlighted inadequate street lighting, noted low participation of children in extracurricular activities, reported low scores in the Unified State Exam (USE), mentioned a scarcity of events and cultural institutions in the city, pointed out a high accident rate, and cited limited affordability of housing.
Understanding the landscape of these issues serves as a crucial reference point for making decisions regarding social investments. In this regard, the company hopes that by addressing significant problems in Taishet and other cities and regions, it will witness improvements reflected in the index in the years to come.
The Child Well-Being Index serves as a data source to gauge the quality of life for children. Such indices are employed in numerous countries across the world. For instance, there is a report from Ireland’s Department of Children’s Affairs on the state of the child sector in the country, the Child Poverty and Hardship Index in the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Cohort Study and School Health Surveys in Finland, and Kazakhstan’s Child Wellbeing Index.
In Russia, the Child Well-Being Index[24] was developed with contributions by the Timchenko Foundation, the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, National Research University Higher School of Economics, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, and the Russian Ministry of Education.
This instrument consists of two indices: the Statistical Index of Child Well-Being, calculated based on 27 indicators published by Rosstat, and the Subjective Index of Child Well-Being, derived from 18 indicators obtained through surveys of children and their parents.
The Statistical Index encompasses four domains: health, development, material well-being, and security. Meanwhile, the Subjective Index includes six domains: health, material well-being, safety, education, social relationships, and self-actualization. The data collection system for the Subjective Index is designed to allow measurement not only at a regional level but also at the level of specific schools. Within each domain, responses to three questions are analyzed. For example, in the “Material Well-Being” domain, these questions pertain to assessing the family’s financial situation, whether the child has personal belongings and whether the child has been on vacation.
The creators of the index emphasize the importance of separately measuring the statistical and subjective indices of child well-being, with special attention given to situations where children’s assessments fall below the statistical figures.
“Of course, for us, the priority is not just the numbers that compile the ranking. As a foundation, our primary concern is the well-being of the child. In other words, how the data from such a comprehensive study influences management decision-making based on an evidence-based approach,” explains Elina Illarionova, Head of the Analytical Service at the Timchenko Foundation.
It is important to separate measuring the statistical and subjective index of child well-being, with attention given to situations where children’s assessments fall below the statistical figures.
According to the Russian Child Well-Being Index for 2022, families with children are facing financial challenges, with only 50 % of surveyed children rating their family’s financial situation positively. Additionally, there is room for improvement in children’s access to leisure activities, as 55 % of surveyed children had not traveled anywhere in the past year. Children’s self-esteem is relatively low, with only 45 % of them reporting achievements and successes they take pride in. Furthermore, there is potential to enhance children’s motivation and interest in learning, as 70 % of the surveyed children expressed liking school, and 65 % found their lessons interesting.
These findings can serve as the foundation for practical initiatives. For example, in Altai Krai, day care groups were established for children from families facing financial difficulties, allowing parents the freedom to work or pursue further education, thereby increasing the family’s income. In Nizhnevartovsk, libraries have created spaces for children and teenagers to explore their interests. In Langepas, summer camps and evening leisure activities were organized, enabling children to discover new talents and interests. In the Tambov region, efforts are being made to boost children’s interest in learning through the expansion of Olympiad programs and the introduction of new supplementary education programs in various fields: arts, natural science, technology, tourism and local lore, social science and pedagogy, physical education and sports.
According to Elina Illarionova, the developers of the index collaborate with regional analytical groups, often based at universities, which can provide practical recommendations to specialized agencies. Both the Subjective and Statistical Indices of Child Well-Being are publicly accessible and can benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including regional and federal authorities, NGOs, social investors, the expert and scientific community, as well as parents and children.
“We strive to ensure that the index data is integrated into regulatory frameworks to lay the groundwork for child welfare programs. On top of that, we believe that presenting the research results should involve the active participation of children, and that the data should not only inform management decisions but also justify the need for child-centric policies,” emphasizes Elina Illarionova.
How does an individual’s perception of happiness and well-being relate to themselves? Are external circumstances in which a person lives influencing this perception? Why is it essential to incorporate subjective and psychological well-being into our evaluations? Answers to these questions can be found by delving into the realm of positive psychology.
When we mention “positive psychology,” most often, it conjures associations with affirmations, a positive mindset, and optimistic thinking. In other words, “think positively, and everything will be fine.” However, this is not the complete picture. Positive psychology, as a distinct branch of psychological knowledge and practice, explores the resources within individuals, their satisfaction, values, talents, and their connection to happiness. These discussions were also part of the Wellbeing-Focused Evaluation track.
The concept of subjective well-being emerged in psychology during the 1970s when the age-old philosophical question of happiness became a focal point for empirical investigation within this field, as explained by Anna Hegai, a graduate student and teacher at the Higher School of Economics, and a psychologist-methodologist at the Victoria Charitable Children’s Foundation.
Researchers identify three approaches to measuring well-being:
1. Subjective well-being (E. Diener) – how closely a person believes their life aligns with the most desirable state.
2. Psychological
The Timchenko Foundation. (2022). About the Child Well-Being Index. Retrieved from: https://cwb-index.timchenkofoundation.org/about/. (accessed: 11.12.2023).