Heritage Engagement and Subjective Well-Being in the European Union

Victoria Ateca-Amestoy,Andreas Joh Wiesand,Anna Villarroya

doi:10.3390/su13179623

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the relationship between different ways of getting engaged with cultural heritage and life satisfaction. Using data from a representative sample of the population of the 28 members of the European Union in 2017 collected in the Eurobarometer 88.1 (2017), we explore the relationship between use and non-use values and individual subjective well-being measured as life satisfaction. We present the results derived from the estimation of an ordered probit model where life satisfaction is a function of living near to heritage resources to represent non-use values, different ways of heritage participation (tangible, intangible, digital, and volunteering), and the usual explanatory variables that have been found to be predictors of life satisfaction. Our results indicate that the chances of being more satisfied with ones’ life increase with volunteering activities, with visits to heritage institutions, and with digital engagement. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the multifaceted values of heritage.

Highlights

Parga DansThis article seeks to stimulate reflection on the benefits that individuals can derive from cultural heritage, among them, the alternatives of getting engaged with heritage, through visiting tangible heritage sites or practicing traditional skills
Life satisfaction (LS) is an important factor of European development, it is an objective of European policies, and, in the past decade, a growing body of literature has documented the ways in which interacting with different forms of heritage impact individual and/or community well-being [14] (p. 1300)
This interest lies with the centrality of discussions and reflections on values in heritage debates and practice [1] and, with societal value perspectives that focus on uses and functions of heritage places generated by a broad range of society-wide processes external to conservation [2]

Summary

Introduction

This article seeks to stimulate reflection on the benefits that individuals can derive from cultural heritage, among them, the alternatives of getting engaged with heritage, through visiting tangible heritage sites or practicing traditional skills It aims to assess whether cultural heritage itself generates (subjective) well-being or if the interactions that establish a vehicle for its enjoyment are needed. A contemporary, outward-looking perspective of societal values, focused on uses and functions of heritage places generated by a broad range of society-wide processes external to conservation, has emerged over the last years. This societal-value perspective brings to the fore broader forces forming the contexts of heritage places as well as the non-heritage functions of heritage places [2]

Methods

Results

Conclusion