feel-good factor

[Theseus]

This is an expression that has been around since the 1970s. At first it was generally used to refer to something that creates a sense of well being in people — their emotional state, physical state, financial state, etc. Since the 1990s, however, the "feel-good factor" has become somewhat restricted in its meaning; it has become an expression, which is mostly employed by economists and financial pundits. These days it is generally used to refer to a sense of financial and material well-being — not necessarily physical or emotional. Recently it has been used in the UK to refer to the effects of the Olympics on the nation. Here are a few examples.
--A well-known economist believes that the feel-good factor will not return to the country before the end of the decade.
--No matter what changes the government makes, the feel-good factor will be slow to return.
--Olympic after-glow gives David Cameron a lift as voters reflect feel-good factor.
PS What would be the last sentence in Greek?:s:cheek::drool:

 

[Hellegennes]

In its original sense, feel-good would be ευφορία. But in the sense above, I'd rather say εμπιστοσύνη.

 

[SBE]

Theseus, are you sure that the expression has become restricted in meaning? Based on the examples you gave us, it still appears to mean the same as it did in the 70s.