A substantial report commissioned by the Scottish Executive to summarise definitions of the concepts of quality of life and well-being and measures available. It also relates these to the potential impacts of culture and sport participation at an individual and community level. Professor David Bell reviews the literature related to economics and subjective well-being. Susan Galloway and Nicola Sneddon review the social research on quality of life and wellbeing in relation to participation. Christine Hamilton and Adrienne Scullion present a ‘think piece’ drawing on the findings of the literature reviews.

‘The evidence available from both the academic and policy literature leads to the conclusion that there is no definitive set of indicators which can measure the contribution of culture and sport to quality of life and well-being, regardless of how these terms are defined. While the evidence suggests an association between cultural and sports participation and an improved quality of life, there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the two.’ p.155