I have just started exploring the Global Flourishing Study, led by Tyler J. VanderWeele, with results set to be published in April of this year. The Global Flourishing Study is a five-year annual survey of over 200,000 participants from 22 countries. Looking at six different areas of life that contribute to a multidimensional state of well-being: happiness, physical/mental health, meaning/purpose, character/virtue, close social relationships and financial/material stability.
The question of the study is simple, “What makes a person of any culture feel that their life is resonating as they know it should?” Put simply, what helps to make life feel good?
Across the 22 countries studied, results imply that younger adults today face growing mental health challenges, financial insecurity and a loss of meaning. Something we all know, but this study confirms that the world our youth are growing into is daunting and steals some of the joy from our children. The study showed that a person’s early years shape their later life. However, it also demonstrated that despite life starting with significant challenges and hardships, some people still found meaning and purpose later in life as adults. The countries that scored highest in flourishing in the study were Indonesia first, Mexico second and the Philippines third. (The USA was 15th and Australia was 19th!)
Being married was a strong feature in linking support and meaning in life. Interestingly, being widowed scored higher than being single and separated. Another strong, flourishing feature was observed in individuals who attend religious services at least once a week. They reported higher scores in all areas of flourishing, happiness, meaning and relationships. This finding was true in almost every country because connecting to a faith community linked challenged youth and adults to community and a sense of meaning.
Studies like this help focus Kennedy Baptist College as a community that positively contributes to the flourishing of our young people and all College members. In 2024, Kennedy students participated in a landmark study on student flourishing, conducted by Christian Schools Australia in collaboration with researchers from Harvard. Over 22,000 students from Christian schools across Australia took part, making this one of the most extensive studies of its kind. The insights from this research will help us better understand how schools can support students to thrive, and we look forward to sharing the findings with you soon.
You can read more about the Global Flourishing Study here.
Peter Chase
College Chaplain • Pastoral Care
