Our sense of wellbeing drops
Australians’ sense of wellbeing has dropped for the first time since November 2002. That’s according to a survey by the Australian Unity Wellbeing Index, a joint project by Deakin University’s Centre of Quality of Life and insurance company Australian Unity. The survey of 2000 people also found that the unemployed, those caring for disabled people and middle aged men are likely to have a lower sense of wellbeing. Deakin University’s Professor Bob Cummins, the author of the index, says this sense of a drop in wellbeing is linked to dissatisfaction with personal relationships and a sense of belonging in our community. And does the big bogey man of terrorism come into play with why our sense of wellbeing has dropped? Well yes it does, but perhaps not in the way you might first think. Professor Cummins spoke earlier to Erica Vowles and began by explaining the results of surveys conducted straight after September 11, 2001.