Civic Engagement and Wellbeing

A recent Gallup survey found that, worldwide, people who self-identified as having a higher personal wellbeing are more likely to be civically engaged than other residents:

People are identified as “thriving, “struggling,” or “suffering” in the surveys based on how they self-rate their current and future lives. Thriving people are twice as likely to give significantly back to a community, versus those who are suffering.

Those with thriving wellbeing also tend to make more money, but controlling for income shows this alone doesn’t explain their greater likelihood to give back, Gallup says. While it’s difficult to discern whether higher wellbeing promotes higher civic engagement or the other way around, Gallup research shows that people get an emotional boost from doing kind things for other people.

Adults who say religion is an important part of their daily life are more likely to be civically engaged than those who say it is not, the surveys show.

Of course the survey leaves open the question of causation, but its interesting nonetheless.  You can read more here.

Posted in Civil Society, Research.

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