Description
Book SynopsisThis book provides original evidence arguing for dignity as an indicator of public health, by offering a scientific framework for measuring dignity and its social determinants. Hitlin and Andersson show that dignity can be efficiently measured by using simple survey items that ask individuals whether there is dignity in their life or in how they are treated by others. National survey data show that unhappiness, sadness, anger, and lower general health are far more common for those reporting undignified lives. These differences in reported dignity come from inequalities in social and economic resources and from experiences of disrespect, threat, or life stress. Social groups with less power generally report lower levels of dignity linked to these multifaceted resource and stress inequalities, which are examined throughout the book. Hitlin and Andersson show that dignity possesses universal value for health and well-being in America, providing a scientific basis for collective consensus
Trade ReviewThis wide ranging and important book brings careful empirics to the crucial topic of dignity, including by showing its impact on health. The authors move our understanding of dignity to a whole new level, with a focus on the impact of resources on dignity, and more. I learned tons from them and so will you. * Michèle Lamont, Author of Seeing Others: How Recognition Works and How It Can Heal a Divided World *
Hitlin and Andersson's book is a tour de force exploration of dignity- what it is, how and why it varies in populations, and why it is so important for human well being and health. * Bruce Link, University of California *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction More than a Feeling: Dignity and Health Inequalities in America Chapter One A Wide-Ranging Tour of Perspectives on Dignity Chapter Two Seeing Circles: Dignity as a Public Health Issue Chapter Three Beyond Reason: Finding Dignity in Social Relations Chapter Four American Capitalism and its Multifaceted Links to Dignity Chapter Five Measuring Dignity Subjectively: Methodology for 2017 and 2021 Gallup Data Chapter Six Dignity as an Efficient Indicator of Social and Moral Integration Chapter Seven Is a Dignified Life a Healthier Life? Chapter Eight A Resource-Based Framework for Analyzing Levels of Dignity Chapter Nine Inequality and Stress: Charting Dignity During Social Adversity Chapter Ten One Polarized Nation: Dignity Across Political Ideologies Conclusion Moving Forward: Dignity's Role in Collective Consensus and Social Inspiration References Index
