An Investigation into the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Are University Students Aware of This Framework and Do They Engage with It?

The New Economics Foundation has introduced a conceptual framework known as the “Five Ways to Wellbeing” which consists of evidence-based techniques—Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn, and Give. Despite the framework’s widespread promotion, its effectiveness for improving wellbeing in university settings, particularly among undergraduate students facing high levels of mental distress, remains unexplored. This qualitative study aimed to bridge this gap by investigating if first-year female university students are aware of the “five ways to wellbeing” framework and if they engage with it. Nineteen undergraduate students from a UK university participated in online semi-structured interviews and responded to seven predetermined questions about wellbeing practises. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: the desire for basic psychological needs, structured routines versus daily flow, and individual differences. Despite the participants’ lack of awareness of the “five ways” framework, they resonated with it and were intrinsically driven to adopt its principles. The study proposes that this natural engagement may stem from the framework’s alignment with the basic psychological needs of autonomy, relatedness, and competence, which are fundamental for wellbeing. This study adds to existing literature by linking these basic psychological needs to the effectiveness of the five ways framework. It also underscores the potential of the “five ways” to positively impact student mental health, emphasising the importance of aligning interventions with fundamental psychological needs for cultivating sustainable habits to enhance wellbeing.