Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET)
EVIDENCE-BASED WELLBEING EVALUATION
Understand the factors influencing wellbeing through confidential, research-informed evaluation that supports informed decisions and primordial prevention.
What Is the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool?
Understanding wellbeing requires more than asking whether someone feels well. It requires examining the underlying factors that may be influencing their experience.
The Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET) is a research-informed, quantitative digital questionnaire developed by FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute to evaluate Universal Wellbeing across multiple interconnected dimensions.
Based on the Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM), UWET examines 70 determinants of wellbeing and the influence of home, work and study environments. It also identifies an overall Universal Wellbeing risk level.
The tool supports individuals, families, teams and organisations to better understand their wellbeing circumstances and make informed decisions about appropriate support and action.
Are We Measuring What Actually Influences Wellbeing?
Wellbeing challenges can become visible through stress, disengagement, absenteeism, reduced participation, relationship difficulties or declining performance.
However, the visible problem does not always explain the circumstances contributing to it.
From Assumptions to Evidence
UWET offers a structured approach to examining multiple determinants rather than relying solely on assumptions or general impressions.
Evaluation findings can help identify strengths, areas of concern and circumstances requiring further attention.
These insights can inform conversations, planning and decisions about appropriate wellbeing support.
WELLBEING
EVALUATION
Developed Through a Long-Term Research Programme
UWET emerged from an extensive programme of wellbeing research exploring four foundational questions.
What is wellbeing?
What influences wellbeing?
How can wellbeing be measured?
How can wellbeing be improved over time?
Research and development activities have included literature reviews, quantitative and qualitative investigations, practice-based research, pilot studies, impact evaluations and grounded theory investigations.
This work has informed the development and application of UWET across different individual and organisational contexts.
Research Informing Practical Evaluation
The aim is to connect understanding of wellbeing determinants with structured evaluation and evidence-informed decision-making.
For further information about the tool's technical development, research profile and supporting publications, contact the Institute.
What Does UWET Measure?
UWET evaluates determinants associated with the six dimensions of the Universal Wellbeing Model.
Social
Relationships, connection, acceptance and social safety.
Physical
Physical circumstances, safety, sleep and related determinants.
Intellectual
Learning, thinking, decision-making and achievement.
Spiritual
Beliefs, values, resilience and personal outlook.
Emotional
Emotional knowledge, regulation, safety and validation.
Ethnic & Cultural
Identity, belonging, acceptance and cultural safety.
The digital questionnaire uses a five-point response scale to evaluate determinants as positive, neutral or negative in relation to the participant's circumstances.
It also considers the influence of home, work and/or study environments and provides an overall Universal Wellbeing risk level.
Explore the Universal Wellbeing Model ↗How Does a Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Work?
UWET combines confidential participant responses, structured analysis, professional feedback and opportunities for ongoing review.
Confidential Evaluation
The participant completes the digital Universal Wellbeing Evaluation, considering relevant personal and environmental determinants.
Analysis & Reporting
Evaluation findings are analysed and presented through a confidential wellbeing report.
Facilitated Feedback
An accredited facilitator explains the findings, discusses relevant determinants and provides recommendations.
Action & Review
Where appropriate, action planning and subsequent evaluations can support monitoring and informed adjustments.
What Happens After the Evaluation?
Participants receive a confidential report and an opportunity to discuss their findings with an accredited facilitator.
Additional planning, coaching or monitoring support may be arranged depending on the service selected and individual or organisational needs.
Why Use the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool?
Understand Underlying Determinants
Explore the factors that may be influencing wellbeing rather than focusing only on visible difficulties.
Identify Strengths and Areas of Concern
Gain a more structured understanding of positive influences, potential risks and determinants requiring further consideration.
Support Evidence-Informed Decisions
Use evaluation findings to inform discussions, planning, priorities and appropriate wellbeing support.
Consider the Wider Environment
Examine how home, work and study circumstances may contribute to wellbeing outcomes.
Monitor Change Over Time
Repeat evaluations can provide information about changes in wellbeing determinants and support review of actions taken.
Who Can Benefit from a Universal Wellbeing Evaluation?
UWET can be applied in personal, professional, educational and organisational contexts.
Individuals
People seeking to understand their wellbeing circumstances, strengths and areas for improvement.
Families
Families interested in understanding shared wellbeing influences and exploring appropriate collective support.
Employers, HR Teams & Leaders
Organisations seeking evidence to inform employee wellbeing, engagement, inclusion, retention and organisational planning.
Schools & Education Providers
Educational organisations exploring determinants associated with learner and staff wellbeing, participation, engagement and achievement.
Community & Social Services
Organisations seeking a structured approach to understanding wellbeing needs, strengths and community circumstances.
Researchers & Evaluators
Professionals exploring research-informed wellbeing measurement, evaluation and outcomes monitoring.
Understanding Wellbeing Across an Organisation
Effective organisational wellbeing decisions require an understanding of the factors influencing people and their working environments.
UWET can support confidential individual evaluations alongside anonymised organisational data summaries.
These summaries can help leaders identify patterns, consider organisational strengths and concerns, and make more informed decisions about wellbeing priorities.
Individual Privacy and Organisational Insights
Individual evaluations are confidential. Organisational reporting is designed to provide anonymised summaries rather than disclose identifiable individual responses.
The scope of reporting and confidentiality arrangements should be confirmed before an evaluation programme begins.
From Wellbeing Measurement to Primordial Prevention
Measuring wellbeing is valuable when the findings help inform meaningful decisions about underlying determinants.
Primordial prevention focuses on addressing the conditions that contribute to harm before it occurs.
UWET supports this approach by helping identify relevant wellbeing determinants and informing evidence-based planning.
In a workplace, for example, evaluation may identify factors associated with disengagement or reduced wellbeing. In education, findings may inform consideration of learning environments, participation and belonging.
Understanding Before Acting
The objective is not simply to collect wellbeing data, but to understand what the findings suggest and consider appropriate action at the source of potential harm.
What Is the Difference Between UWM and UWET?
The Universal Wellbeing Model and the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool are connected, but they serve different purposes.
Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM)
The theoretical framework explaining the six dimensions and 70 determinants of Universal Wellbeing.
Learn about the UWM ↗Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET)
The quantitative evaluation instrument used to assess wellbeing determinants, environmental influences and overall Universal Wellbeing risk level.
Research, Ethical Practice and Professional Facilitation
FWI's research programme connects the Universal Wellbeing Model with evaluation, reporting, professional education and organisational practice.
UWET evaluations are supported by accredited facilitators who interpret findings and provide confidential feedback.
The Institute also provides professional education in Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Facilitation for practitioners seeking to develop relevant evaluation capabilities.
Research and Further Reading
Research associated with the Universal Wellbeing programme has been published in the Evaluation Journal of Australasia (2025).
A technical profile of UWET is available from the Institute upon request.
Questions About Wellbeing Assessment and Evaluation
How can I measure my wellbeing?
UWET provides a structured questionnaire examining 70 determinants across six wellbeing dimensions, including the influence of home, work and study environments. An accredited facilitator can help explain the evaluation findings.
Why am I struggling at work?
Workplace difficulties may involve multiple interacting factors, including relationships, physical circumstances, emotional safety, financial security and the working environment. UWET can help explore relevant wellbeing determinants.
How can employers measure employee wellbeing?
UWET can support confidential individual evaluations and anonymised organisational reporting. Findings can inform decisions about wellbeing priorities, workplace systems and appropriate support.
Is a Universal Wellbeing Evaluation confidential?
Confidentiality is a central part of FWI's evaluation process. Individual reports are not shared without the participant's written permission. Organisational reporting uses anonymised summaries.
What happens after I complete the evaluation?
An accredited facilitator reviews the report with you, explains the findings and discusses recommendations. Additional planning, coaching or monitoring may be available depending on the service selected.
Can UWET measure changes in wellbeing over time?
Repeat evaluations can help track changes in wellbeing determinants and provide information for reviewing the effects of actions and support strategies.
Is UWET a medical or mental health diagnosis?
No. UWET is a Universal Wellbeing evaluation instrument, not a medical diagnostic test. It does not replace assessment, diagnosis or treatment by qualified health professionals.
Understand What Is Influencing Wellbeing
Explore how a confidential Universal Wellbeing Evaluation can support better understanding and more informed decisions.
FWI offers evaluation services for individuals, families, teams and organisations. Contact the Institute to discuss the appropriate approach for your circumstances.
FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute
Email:
contactus@fwi.ac.nz
Phone: +64 7 834 0451