The value of freedom: extending the evaluative space of capability

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionDeveloping an instrument with an ambiguous construct can be challenging. With the capability approach, this is argued to be case, since the concept of capability by Sen is ambiguous in respect to the burdens that people experience whilst achieving their capabilities. A potential solution is to develop instruments with a more comprehensive concept of capability, such as the concept ‘option-freedom’. The concept option-freedom stresses the importance of achieving capabilities without impediments. However, this concept has not been operationalized for wellbeing assessment. The aim of this study is to develop a theoretical framework of wellbeing with the concept option-freedom.MethodsA best-fit framework synthesis was conducted with seven papers that report qualitative findings which underpin capability instruments. First, the a-priori concept option-freedom was used to deductively code against. New codes, subthemes and themes were developed inductively when data did not match the a-priori concept.ResultsFour themes emerged from the synthesis. (1) Option Wellbeing represents a range of options that need to be satisfied in order for individuals to experience wellbeing. (2) Self-Realization represents that there are experiences in an individual’s live that have value beyond realizing options. (3) Perceived Access to Options represents the perceived ability of individuals to realize freedoms. (4) Perceived Control represents the experience of having control.ConclusionDeveloping an instrument with the proposed framework has two benefits. First, it acknowledges the importance of assessing impediments in realizing capabilities for the assessment of wellbeing. Second, the themes form a broad informational base by including themes related to subjective wellbeing. The framework could be used as a broad base on which to assess the value of health technologies. Future research should study the feasibility of implementing the framework for the assessment of wellbeing.