Wellbeing as a multidimensional and needs-based construct

It has been argued that due to the predominance of economic thinking even the Brundtland Report (WCED, 1987) failed to adequately address the multidimensionality of needs and included therefore primarily references to the fulfilment of material ones (e.g. Helne, 2019, p. 230). However, researchers nowadays widely agree wellbeing is a multidimensional construct. Hence, in the past decades there have been various attempts to develop ‘theorisation and lists of basic needs, functionings, and related concepts’ in relation to human wellbeing (Gough, McGregor & Camfield, 2007, p. 13). Gough et al., (2007) for instance see wellbeing both as a relational and dynamic concept, dependent on and influenced by our social, political, economic and cultural surroundings; hence, wellbeing is not just an outcome, but also a process. In relation to identifying what constitutes sustainable wellbeing, Gough (2017) has characterised (at least) six theoretical features of universal human needs: needs are objective, plural, non-substitutable (cannot be traded off against others), satiable (in a sense that thresholds can be achieved in certain spheres), cross-generational, and they can be defined in universal terms across time and space. In addition, (present and future) needs always trump consumer preferences and the universal needs furthermore ‘imply ethical obligations on

6 The data was collected in 2008-2009 at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and the variables were based on different UN, EU-wide and national sustainable development strategies (Salonen & Åhlberg, 2012, p. 16).

22 individuals and claims of justice – universal rights and obligations – on social institutions’. (Gough, 2017, pp 45-47.)

On their part, Hirvilammi & Helne (2014) approach wellbeing from the assumption that is it something recognised and aspired by all species; for humans, it is a process of self-actualisation, of well-becoming. In their approach, they refer to the idea of self-realisation by Arne Naess (1995) that the joy and meaning of life is enhanced by fulfilling inherent potentials and by increased self-realisation. They furthermore refer to Abraham Maslow’s theory of human needs (2011; original 1962), in which self-actualisation is placed high. As such, Hirvilammi & Helne (2014) note that rather than focusing on wellbeing deprivation, the Maslowian conception places emphasis on the positive potential of human beings and how their potentials and capacities can be fulfilled.

For Maslow (2011), the terms of being, becoming and self-actualisation are then synonyms in a sense that they refer to a continuous betterment and growth towards the complete functioning of human capacities, a wholeness of self and completion of one’s mission in life (see Helne, 2019, p. 236).

Along the lines of other need theorists, Hirvilammi & Helne (2014, p. 2165) thus argue that

‘wellbeing depends on the possibilities people have to adequately actualize their fundamental needs of both kinds’, meaning both deficiency as well as growth needs (self-actualisation): whereas the deficiency or deprivation needs are alleviated with the help of certain goods, ways of acting or through different institutional structures, fulfilment of growth needs can be regarded as a process in which one’s capacities and potentials can be enhanced without specific limits.

In their approach for a relational and multidimensional, needs-based model of sustainable wellbeing, Hirvilammi & Helne (2014) refer to the contributions of sociologist Erik Allardt. In the 1970s, Allardt developed a needs-based, tripartite conceptualisation of wellbeing in which he defines ‘the central necessary conditions of human development and existence’ in three words: Having, Loving and Being (1993, p. 89). For Allardt (1976), needs were socially defined and therefore they were also value-bound; hence, he defined the basic needs of human according to the needs related to material and impersonal resources (Having), needs related to love, companionship and solidarity (Loving) and needs denoting self-actualisation and the opposing of alienation (Being). Allardt (1990, pp. 16-17;

1993) additionally advanced the notion that when studying the degree of human wellbeing it is crucial to examine the relations of our biological and physical environment and furthermore our material level of living.

23 Hirvilammi & Helne (2014) have lately modified and extended the original conceptualisation into four dimensions, the Having, Doing, Loving and Being -model (HDLB). In short, the dimension of Having consists of a decent and fair standard of living and therefore implies the fulfilment of material and impersonal needs. It furthermore alludes to the awareness of the limits of the planet and the optimal level of need fulfilment and thus ‘moderate’ use of natural resources. Contrary to Allardt’s conceptualisation, Doing is not a part of Being, but its own entity due to its centrality for human and environmental wellbeing (see Hirvilammi & Helne, 2014; Helne & Hirvilammi, 2015). The dimension of Doing then encompasses purposeful and responsible activities as the daily activities humans engage in differ in their environmental impacts. For its part, the dimension of Loving then includes connective and compassionate relations to others, including the natural environment and other species. It furthermore encompasses the local and global and the present and future perspectives.

Finally, the dimension of Being involves alert presence, including the need for self-actualisation and personal growth, and aspects of mental and physical health. (Allardt & Uusitalo, 1972). (Hirvilammi

& Helne, 2014.) The aspects of ‘being’ thus bring about a shift from negativity and deprivation towards ‘positivity and plenitude’ (Helne, 2019, p. 237). The HDLB-model is depicted in the table below and it exhibits the four thematic dimensions and the indicators for different thematic needs.

Table 1. The HDLB-model: dimensions and indicators (Hirvilammi & Helne, 2014, p. 2169)

Having - a decent and fair standard of living The needs of Having are met through material

resources, such as:

- Natural resources: water, food, materials for clothing, construction, etc.

- Economic resources: income and wealth - Shelter

- Energy

- Basic consumption items Doing - purposeful and responsible activities The needs of Doing can be actualized by many

different kinds of activities a person is engaged in, such as:

- Meaningful paid work - Social and political activities - Housekeeping

- Education and learning - Leisure-time activities

- Nature activities (gardening, hiking, etc.) Loving - connective and compassionate relations to others

The needs of Loving can be fulfilled by belonging to or caring for:

- Family and kin - Friends

- Local communities and society

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- Global community and the future generations - Other species and nature

Being - alert presence The needs of Being can be fulfilled, for

example, when a person:

- Is in good physical and mental health - Can fulfill his/her inherent potential - Feels a sense of autonomy

- Is creative

- Is striving toward serenity, goodness and unselfishness

- Has experiences of wholeness, aliveness and self-sufficiency

In the relational and multidimensional HDLB-model, relationality implies two things: human wellbeing is placed in the context of ecosystems, meaning that we depend on and influence the resources and services of our surroundings, producing thus environmental impacts; in addition, human wellbeing is understood multidimensionally, consisting of interdependent categories of needs.

Hence, nature plays a vital role in ensuring human wellbeing and the fulfilment of needs. (Helne &

Hirvilammi, 2015.) Furthermore, as the four dimensions overlap, many activities and practices support the fulfilment of needs simultaneously (Helne, 2019). The relational and multidimensional view of wellbeing is illustrated below in Figure 1.

Figure 1. The relational and multidimensional view of wellbeing (Helne & Hirvilammi, 2015, p. 71)

25 The HDLB-model thus pertains to the Aristotelian conceptualisation of wellbeing and the eudaimonic tradition, therefore bringing attention to the role and development of human potentials and capacities in the pursuit of the ‘full realisation of humanness’ and the respect of all life forms (Helne, 2019, p.

236). The multidimensional and relational needs-based model of wellbeing therefore provides the theoretical and analytical framework in this thesis, through which I approach the empirical part of the thesis and analyse how the participants in this study perceive wellbeing.

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