Module: Environmental influences on wellbeing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Environmental influences on wellbeing
Module Code	PSY1002 (ITS: PSYC517)
Faculty	Psychology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

Module Aims: This module is intended to explore the impact of external factors on personal well-being. It will: • Explore the impact of a broad range of factors including economic, employment, culture. • Introduce students to a wide range of literature on these topics • Explore means of ameliorating negative effects of environmental influences.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the influence of context on well-being.
2. Identify environmental and non-environmental factors that can influence well-being in both positive and negative ways.
3. Critically evaluate cutting edge research on the impacts of such factors.
4. Identify and critically evaluate evidence for strategies to ameliorate the negative effects or promote positive effects of such factors.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	10	online asynchronous lectures
Seminars	10	Online workshops and seminars delivered synchronously
Online activity	10	Directed online activities
Assignment Completion	70	Preparation of oral presentation and literature review.
Independent Study	132	independent research and reading to support lectures, assignments and module activities.
Group work	18	No Description
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10655	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Richard Lombard Vance	Module Teacher	Sinead Smyth

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group project	Group project will identify and critically evaluate evidence for one strategy to ameliorate the negative effects or promote positive effects of environmental factors. This will be presented as a written report and as group symposium of presentations of conference standard. 70% of the grade will be assigned to the written report (50% for the report content and 20% for evidence of individual contribution to the team). 20% of the grade will be assigned to the individual presentation (5% of this will address how well the individual presentation fits within the theme of the symposium).	50%	n/a
Assignment	Review - A substantial review of the state of literature concerning the impact of environmental and contextual factors on at least two aspects of well-being. The topic covered must differ substantially from the group project.	50%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
The module will be delivered through online lectures and tutorials as well as online learning activities and summative assessment through oral presentations, a literature review and end of year exam. Topics covered throughout the module will include: • Introduction to the influences of context on lifestyle and well-being. • Well-being in the workplace • Sustainability and wellbeing; green and blue prescriptions • Social influences on well-being • Policy development for well-being promotion • Education and well-being • Well-being and the law • Well-being in different cultures nationally and internationally. • Well-being in the cyber environment

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Diener, E., Kahneman, D., & Helliwell, J.: 2010, International differences in well-being., Oxford University Press., Oxford,
Van Veldhoven, M., & Peccei, R. (Eds.).: 2014, Well-being and Performance at Work: The role of context., Psychology Press,
Haworth, J., & Hart, G. (Eds.).: 2007, Well-being: Individual, community and social perspectives., Springer,
Bornstein, M. H., Davidson, L., Keyes, C. L., & Moore, K. A. (Eds.).: 2013, Well-being: Positive development across the life course., Psychology Press.,
Diener, E., & Suh, E. M. (Eds.).: 2000, (2000). Culture and subjective well-being., MIT press.,
Diener, E., Scollon, C. N., & Lucas, R. E.: 2009, (2009). The evolving concept of subjective well-being: The multifaceted nature of happiness. In Assessing well-being (pp. 67-100)., Springer, Dordrecht.,
Sheldon, K. M., & Hoon, T. H.: 2013, The multiple determination of well-being: Independent effects of positive traits, needs, goals, selves, social supports, and cultural contexts. In The exploration of happiness (pp. 141-160)., Springer Netherlands.,
Carlson, M.: 2014, CBT for Chronic Pain and Psychological Well-Being: A Skills Training Manual Integrating DBT, ACT, Behavioral Activation and Motivational Interviewing., John Wiley & Sons.,
Biglan, A. (2015).: 0, The nurture effect: How the science of human behavior can improve our lives and our world. New Harbinger Publications.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None