As the contributions to this special issue illustrate, compassion is a key motivator for individuals and, increasingly, health systems in global health. This commentary considers the power dynamics of compassion in global health, particularly challenging the notion that compassion is inherently asymmetrical. I illustrate that it is not the compassion itself that is unequal but rather the visibility of its actors, depending on their power and position. The challenges and opportunities for building equity through an epidemiology of compassion are considered.

The present study reports the development and validation of a 31-item measure that examines strategies employed by people to increase their happiness levels. The items of this new ‘Pursuit of Happiness Scale’ (an English and a Hindi version) were developed by integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches. The scale development was based on a pilot study (N=401) and a main study (N=1795). Five happiness increasing strategies were derived through exploratory factor analysis, viz., (a) Pursuing a Positive Outlook, (b) Pursuing Goals, (c) Pursuing Faith, (d) Pursuing Emotional Stability, and (e) Pursuing a Healthy Life. The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good model fit for the five-factor structure, and the new measure also showed good reliability and validity. The Pursuit of Happiness Scale can help scholars and policymakers gain meaningful insights into the wellbeing landscape of the country. Such knowledge can inform the development of policies, interventions, and theoretical models to address and promote the happiness of Indians. Besides, at a more micro-level, such an understanding can help individuals engage more proactively in practices that may enhance their mood and overall wellbeing.

Promoting adolescent wellbeing continues to challenge families, community groups, and schools, so ways to complement existing health programs should be sought. This paper aimed to synthesise four sequential, mixed-methods studies, resulting in a novel framework to impact adolescent wellbeing. Studies were conducted in Perth, Western Australia between 2020 and 2023, involving a quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis, qualitative analysis of focus groups with adolescent outdoor adventure education participants and key informant interviews with outdoor adventure education teachers, and mixed-method analysis of an electronic Delphi study with a panel of international experts in adolescence, wellbeing, and outdoor adventure education. The studies comprising this synthesis were conducted to provide an evidence base for adventure education practitioners to impact the wellbeing of their adolescent participants. The findings of these studies have resulted in the development of the Wellbeing in Outdoor Adventure Education Model (WOAEM), a new model that aims to provide outdoor adventure education practitioners with a practical application of the PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment) multidimensional framework of wellbeing. This practical application is specifically designed to guide program structure in a way that can positively impact the wellbeing of adolescents. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Age group 18-24 1,515 (10%) 25-29 1,399 (9.3%) 30-39 2,398 (16%) 40-49 2,221 (15%) 50-59 2,493 (17%) 60-69 2,168 (14%) 70-79 2,253 (15%) 80 or older 621 (4.1%) (Missing) 0 (0%) Gender Male 7,536 (50%) Female 7,493 (50%) Other 27 (0.2%) (Missing) 12 (<0.1%)Marital status Married 6,408 (43%) Separated 426 (2.8%) Divorced 801 (5.3%) Widowed 433 (2.9%) Single, never married 3,854 (26%) Domestic Partner 3,073 (20%) (Missing) 72 (0.5%) Employment Employed for an employer 7,907 (52%) Self-employed 1,243 (8.3%) Characteristic N = 15,068 1 No religion/Atheist/Agnostic 5,697 (38%) (Missing) 74 (0.5%) 1 n (%) Flourishing in Sweden Bittr et al. www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org 4 Flourishing in Sweden Bittr et al. www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org 5 Outcome Mean SE 95% CI Standard Deviation Gratitude (GRATEFUL) 7.49 0.022 (7.44, 7.53) 2.24 Love (SHOW_LOVE) 8.11 0.019 (8.08, 8.15) 1.87 Forgiveness (FORGIVE) 0.76 0.004 (0.76, 0.77) -Charitable Giving (DONATED) 0.52 0.005 (0.51, 0.53)

Engaging with indigenous peoples challenges the assumptions deeply embedded in traditional scientific approaches. This paper critiques the science of well-being’s (WBSci) large-scale measurement instruments considering teko porã, an expression from the Guarani Mbyá people that loosely translates to happiness and encompasses the discussion about the best way to live. Over two years, our research employed a triangulation method involving a literature review, participation in the Indigenous Support Network at the University of São Paulo, and four interviews with Guarani Mbyá leaders. We uncovered three key aspects of teko porã: (1) its variability, (2) its reliance on immaterial/spiritual elements, and (3) its communal rather than individual focus. These findings reveal the limitations of WBSci’s individual-centric measurement instruments, which rely heavily on personal experiences, self-reports, and cognitive life evaluations. We propose four parameters for a more inclusive happiness/well-being assessment framework to address these shortcomings. First, defining the spatial and social perimeter to which the idea of happiness will be defined and to which it will refer. Second, understanding the roles of those within these boundaries in the assessment. Third, allowing community members to set the assessment’s purpose. Fourth, periodically revisiting both the happiness construct and its evaluation process. These parameters advocate for a participatory assessment of happiness tailored to a specific community, highlighting the insufficiency of many WBSci methodologies in capturing the full spectrum of human ontologies and epistemologies. In conclusion, it is essential to recognize the limitations of traditional WBSci approaches focused on universal characteristics of happiness and integrate new theoretical perspectives and actors into the debate. Such dialogue is timely and necessary for the maturing of the field.