The multidimensional structure of subjective well-being: evidence from a rural area in Sicily

Abstract

ABSTRACT The paper looks at subjective well-being, defined in terms of individuals’ self-reported satisfaction with life, investigating nine dimensions (domains). The combination of the selected domains is obtained by applying methodologies known as composite indices. Compared to what is already known, this study explores well-being in a rural area with the aim to analyse if phenomena such as depopulation, abandonment of agricultural activities, economic crises and migration affect the well-being of the population. In particular, changes in subjective well-being are assessed for a rural community in the South of Italy (Sicily) and the interactions are analysed between changes in subjective well-being and changes in the other factors. This study finds, through the construction of a composite index, that well-being is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon in which there are numerous interacting factors.