Overview
WEMWBS was developed by researchers at the University of Warwick and the University of Edinburgh, aiming to provide a comprehensive measure of mental wellbeing. Based on extensive research, this tool captures the positive aspects of mental health, allowing organisations to gain valuable insights into the wellbeing of their populations.
With a focus on practical application, WEMWBS has been validated in various settings, ensuring its reliability and relevance. This page delves into the origins of WEMWBS, the research underpinning its development, and its significance in promoting mental health initiatives.
HISTORY
In 2005 NHS Health Scotland provided funding to develop the WEMWBS tools in order to support the Scottish Executive's National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing in Scotland. This involved a review of concepts of mental wellbeing and existing scales as well as a discussion with a panel of experts.
The Affectometer 2 had been identified as the most promising measure of mental wellbeing from a review of literature relating to concepts and measures of wellbeing, but the scale proved to be unsuitable for a range of reasons. Taking the scale as a starting point, new items were developed, discussed and iterated until the 14 question scale was resolved for testing.
WEMWBS was tested with students in England and Scotland and with a large representative sample of the general population in Scotland.
The development of this new measure was led by Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown and supported by Professor Stephen Platt from the University of Edinburgh. Dr Ruth Tennant played an important role in the original study.
DEVELOPERS OF WEMWBS SCALE IN 2007
- Sarah Stewart-Brown, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Stephen Platt, School of Clinical Sciences & Community Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Jane Parkinson, NHS Health Scotland, Glasgow, UK
- Stephen Joseph, Dept of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Scott Weich, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Jenny Secker, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK & South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
- Stephen Stansfield, Centre for Psychiatry at Barts and the London, Queen Mary University of London, UK
- Glyn Lewis, Academic Unit of Psychiatry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
WEMWBS captures a comprehensive view of mental wellbeing, going beyond just the absence of illness to reflect a state of both feeling good and functioning well.
The scales have been expertly designed to encompass:
Eudemonic and Hedonic Wellbeing
Drawing from ancient philosophical perspectives, WEMWBS recognises both the sense of purpose and meaning in life (eudemonic) and the experience of pleasure and satisfaction (hedonic). This balance reflects a deeper, more holistic view of wellbeing.
A Continuum of Mental Health
Mental well-being exists on a spectrum, from optimal health to mental health challenges or disorders. WEMWBS captures this full range, highlighting that wellbeing is more than the absence of illness. Even individuals with diagnosed conditions can experience well-being when their symptoms don't negatively impact their feelings or functioning.
A Holistic Connection to Overall Wellbeing
WEMWBS acknowledges the interconnectedness of mental, physical, social, and, where relevant, spiritual aspects of wellbeing. The relational dimensions—how individuals interact with others and their environment—are inherently embedded within the scale's structure, providing a more complete picture of mental health.
Psychological Functioning and Subjective Wellbeing
Grounded in modern psychology and social science research, WEMWBS integrates both how individuals function psychologically (resilience, self-esteem, autonomy) and their subjective experiences (happiness, life satisfaction, emotional stability).
By incorporating these diverse elements, WEMWBS offers a holistic and nuanced measure of mental wellbeing, reflecting a person’s entire lived experience and providing valuable insights for both individuals and organisations.
FURTHER READING
''Back in the 1990s, it became clear to me that if we were going to give mental health the attention it warranted in public health practice, promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental illness as we do for physical health, we needed a scale that captured mental wellbeing. So, working with colleagues, I developed WEMWBS. Over the last decade, WEMWBS has enabled countless practitioners and professionals to promote mental wellbeing because it makes the concept easy to understand and allows the quantitative evaluations which are often required by funders and commissioners.''
Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown - Lead Researcher for WEMWBS
PROFESSOR STEWART-BROWN
Sarah Stewart-Brown is a long-standing Professor Emeritus of Public Health at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick following her role at the University of Oxford. Her research has significantly shaped public mental health practice in the UK and internationally, particularly in parenting and school-based approaches, influencing policies that promote children's mental health.
Sarah has advised the English, Scottish, and Welsh Governments on various public mental health issues and served as Chair of the Faculty of Public Health’s Mental Health Committee until 2016. She has participated in numerous Expert Advisory Groups, including the Office for National Statistics on Measuring Wellbeing and Public Health England’s Mental Health Campaign.
With extensive experience in the UK NHS, both in paediatrics and public health, Sarah combines practical knowledge with her academic expertise. She has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, books, and reports, and in 2015, she received the Wilfred Harding Prize for her outstanding contributions to public health.
