Second European quality of life survey : living conditions, social exclusion and mental well-being

Over the past two decades, the concept of social exclusion has increasingly replaced the concept of poverty within the EU policy discussion on social vulnerability and disadvantage. It has been shown that unequal access to the labour market and poor living conditions negatively affect social participation and social contact, which in turn impact on the quality of life of Europe's citizens and lead to a sense of social exclusion. The second European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), conducted by Eurofound in 2007, offers a wide-ranging view of the diverse social realities in Europe today. This report looks at the relationships between living conditions, social exclusion and mental well-being. It draws on the results of the EQLS to examine the factors that influence perceived social exclusion and the impact that this has on mental well-being. The scope of the findings - spanning 31 countries - offers an important insight into how social exclusion and integration vary across Europe, given the different cultural and historical contexts as well as recent social and economic experiences.