Mental Capital and Wellbeing

This major new reference presents The Foresight Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project (a UK Government project in the Government Office for Science). It offers a comprehensive exploration of how mental capital and wellbeing operate over the lifespan; how experiences in the family, in school, at work and following retirement augment or reduce mental capital and wellbeing, and the impact that this has for the individual and for the welfare and economic progress of the nation. Mental Capital and Wellbeingcomprises a series of scientific reviews written by leading international scientists and social scientists in the field. The reviews undertake systematic analyses of the evidence base surrounding five key themes, on which they propose future policies will have to be based. An internationally renowned team of Editors introduce each theme and draw together conclusions in terms of both policy and practice. Section 1 (Mental Capital and Wellbeing Through Life) Mental capital refers to the totality of an individual s cognitive and emotional resources, including their cognitive capability, flexibility and efficiency of learning, emotional intelligence and resilience in the face of stress. The extent of an individual s resources reflects his or her basic endowment (e.g. genes and early biological programming), motivation and experiences (e.g. education) which take place throughout the life course. This section presents the very latest on the science of mental capital throughout life. Section 2 (Learning Through Life) provides a coherent overview of a fast-moving and complex field of policy and practice. Educational attainment has a considerable impact on physical and mental wellbeing, both directly and indirectly, by enabling people better to achieve their goals. The ability to continue learning throughout the lifespan is critical to a successful and rewarding life in contemporary societies. Section 3 (Mental Health and Ill-Health) draws together the most recent evidence about positive mental health as well as a range of mental disorders to consider their importance to the population and economy in terms of prevalence and disability and the wider burden on society. Section 4 (Wellbeing and Work) It is estimated that 13 million working days are lost through stress each year, costing the economy over 3.7 billion per annum. This theme explores those drivers that influence the nature and structure of work and the impact this has on employee wellbeing. Section 5 (Learning Difficulties) This theme provides a cutting-edge picture of how recent insights from genetics, cognitive and neuroscience improve our understanding of learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Reviews focus on how current research can contribute to early diagnosis and improved intervention.

This major new reference presents The Foresight MentalCapital and Wellbeing Project (a UK Government project in theGovernment Office for Science). It offers a comprehensiveexploration of how mental capital and wellbeing operate over thelifespan; how experiences in the family, in school, at work andfollowing retirement augment or reduce mental capital andwellbeing, and the impact that this has for the individual and forthe welfare and economic progress of the nation.Mental Capital and Wellbeingcomprises a series ofscientific reviews written by leading international scientists andsocial scientists in the field. The reviews undertake systematicanalyses of the evidence base surrounding five key themes, on whichthey propose future policies will have to be based. Aninternationally renowned team of Editors introduce each theme anddraw together conclusions in terms of both policy andpractice.Section 1 (Mental Capital and Wellbeing Through Life) Mental capital refers to the totality of anindividual's cognitive and emotional resources, includingtheir cognitive capability, flexibility and efficiency of learningemotional intelligence and resilience in the face of stress. Theextent of an individual's resources reflects his or her basicendowment (e.g. genes and early biological programming), motivationand experiences (e.g. education) which take place throughout thelife course. This section presents the very latest on the scienceof mental capital throughout life.Section 2 (Learning Through Life) provides a coherentoverview of a fast-moving and complex field of policy and practice.Educational attainment has a considerable impact on physical andmental wellbeing, both directly and indirectly, by enabling peoplebetter to achieve their goals. The ability to continue learningthroughout the lifespan is critical to a successful and rewardinglife in contemporary societies.Section 3 (Mental Health and Ill-Health) draws together themost recent evidence about positive mental health as well as arange of mental disorders to consider their importance to thepopulation and economy in terms of prevalence and disability andthe wider burden on society.Section 4 (Wellbeing and Work) - It is estimated that13 million working days are lost through stress each year, costingthe economy over £3.7 billion per annum. This theme exploresthose drivers that influence the nature and structure of work andthe impact this has on employee wellbeing.Section 5 (Learning Difficulties) - This theme providesa cutting-edge picture of how recent insights from geneticscognitive and neuroscience improve our understanding of learningdifficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia andattention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Reviews focus on howcurrent research can contribute to early diagnosis and improvedintervention.