Average Life Satisfaction Research Articles

Sense of community, life satisfaction and psychological distress among seniors – HUNT4 study, Norway

Abstract Background Strong sense of community with one’s neighbors may benefit psychosocial well-being. Moreover, local communities with high level of belonging and social cohesion can have a positive impact on public mental health. This study aims to investigate associations between sense of community and life satisfaction - at both an individual and local community level in a Norwegian county. Methods Data from Trøndelag Health Study 4 (HUNT4: 2017-2019) on 22 939 participants were linked to geographic data of residence from Statistics Norway. The basic statistical unit in Norwegian, known as “grunnkrets,” serves to identify participants’ local communities. These units are subdivisions of municipalities, covering geographically contiguous areas that typically include a few hundred inhabitants. This population-based study enables investigation of variation in sense of community, trust, life satisfaction and psychological distress on individual and community level. Results Seniors (median age 70.3 years) with strong sense of community with their neighbors had more than three times higher odds (95%CI 3.08-3.93) of high level of life satisfaction and less than 0.3 times lower odds (95%CI 0.26-0.33) of psychological distress symptoms vs those with low sense of community, adjusted to sociodemographic variables. The average sense of community varied between local communities (N = 284). At this local geographical unit, strong sense of community was associated with high level of trust, enjoying the neighborhood and high life satisfaction. Conclusions The study can inform public health policy to consider development of social infrastructures that bolster sense of community among seniors within neighborhoods. Policy and action plans targeting to increase the overall sense of community in neighborhoods may contribute to create mental health-promoting and age-friendly local communities in Norway. Key messages • At individual level, sense of community with neighbors are associated with life satisfaction and psychological distress among Norwegian seniors. • The average sense of community varies between geographic local areas and are associated with level of trust, enjoying the neighborhood, average life satisfaction, and psychological distress.

Negative interaction between democratization and economic development on changes in average life satisfaction: evidence from European countries between 1981 and 2022

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the association between post-materialist values and subjective well-being in European countries, while examining the complex relationships between the diffusion of post-materialist values, economic development, and democratization. This study analyzed data from the European Values Study and World Values Survey between 1981 and 2022 using finite mixture models and fixed-effects models. The results show that the positive association between diffusing post-materialist values and changes in average life satisfaction was mediated by social changes, including economic development and democratization. However, a negative association between economic development and democratization emerged; although both were positively associated with changes in national life satisfaction, their associations could be offset by each other. This implies that while social change is intertwined with social values and subjective well-being, the relationships between them are highly intricate.

The effect of spiritual support on life satisfaction in Iranian patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

The diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer not only impose significant physical challenges but also deeply affect patients emotionally and psychologically, significantly influencing their overall quality of life. Among the various factors that can positively impact life satisfaction in individuals facing gastrointestinal cancer, spirituality emerges as a crucial aspect. This study aimed to determine the effect of a spiritual intervention on life satisfaction in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with two groups of 85 gastrointestinal cancer patients from two major hospitals in Tehran. The intervention group received spiritual support through social media for six sessions over three weeks to learn how to effectively improve their spiritual state. The control group received routine medical visits and care. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) was used before and after the spiritual support in both the intervention and control groups. The research was approved by the institutional ethics committee. In the pre-test stage, there was no significant difference in average life satisfaction between the intervention and control groups (t = 1.887, d = 0.30, p > 0.05). However, positive changes occurred in the post-test stage. Notably, the disparity in average life satisfaction between the intervention and control groups was significant in the post-test stage (t = 13.118, d = 0.95, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the result showed that the changes in life satisfaction in the intervention group were statistically significant (t = 11.854, d = 0.84, p < 0.001). Changes in life satisfaction in the control group were not statistically significant in the pre-test stage compared to the post-test stage (t = 1.113, d = 0.10, p > 0.05). The results can guide health care providers in dealing with the problems of cancer patients. Assessing patients' spiritual needs and empowering them to promote their spiritual recovery and find meaning in their suffering can lead to improved quality of life and satisfaction with holistic care.

Psychometric Performance of the EQ Health and Wellbeing Short in a United Kingdom Population Sample

ObjectivesThis study assessed the psychometric performance and construct validity of the EQ Health and Wellbeing Short (EQ-HWB-S), using a validated measure, the EQ-5D-5L, as a comparator. MethodsThe experimental version of the EQ-HWB-S was compared with the EQ-5D-5L to assess the psychometric performance of the measures. Data were drawn from the valuation stages of the Extending the Quality-Adjusted Life-Year project (UK general population, n = 429) and the EQ-5D-5L UK valuation pilot study (UK general population, n = 248). Construct validity was assessed based on convergent validity, using Spearman correlations and Pearson correlations. Known-group validity was assessed by estimating effect sizes to assess the ability of the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L to discriminate between known groups based on “healthy” status, presence of a long-term condition, health and life satisfaction, age, and employment status. The degree of agreement in utility values across instruments was also evaluated using Bland-Altman plots. ResultsStrong associations (rs ≥ 0.5, P < .001) were found between conceptually overlapping dimensions and the utility scores of the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L. The instruments performed comparably in discriminating between known groups including healthy versus unhealthy groups (based on the visual analog scale ≥ 80), long-term condition (vs no long-term condition), and above versus below average health and life satisfaction and employed (vs unemployed and long-term sick). ConclusionsThe EQ-HWB-S performs favorably with utility values successfully discriminating between groups in which differences are expected. Convergence between the EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L is evident, especially between conceptually overlapping dimensions.

The Association Between Life Satisfaction and Subjective Social Mobility Status Among Women of Rasht City: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Background: The social causation hypothesis suggests that health is influenced by various social factors, including childhood living conditions and mobility pathways, and individual life satisfaction is primarily derived from the subjective sense of mobility and social class. Objectives: Adverse changes in social factors and their negative effects on health have been observed in numerous studies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between life satisfaction and subjective social mobility status in women from Rasht. Methods: Conducted between 2020 and 2021, this cross-sectional correlational study examined 800 married women residing in Rasht who met the inclusion criteria. Participants were selected using a cluster random method from various areas of the city. Data collection tools included demographic characteristics, the Ferrans and Powers Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, and the MacArthur Scale to measure participants' socioeconomic status (SES). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and parametric statistical tests. Results: The samples generally comprised individuals with intermediate socioeconomic status, and most participants indicated that their current living situation was better than that of their parents. The lowest average life satisfaction score was observed in the low socioeconomic status group, with participants experiencing downward mobility reporting the lowest life satisfaction scores. However, the results showed no significant difference in the satisfaction levels among different social mobility groups of women (P = 0.60). Conclusions: Our findings underscore the importance of researchers reflecting on and being sensitive to experiences related to social class and mobility. The study confirmed that individuals with downward social mobility tend to have lower life satisfaction. Social factors are strongly associated with health outcomes, emphasizing the need for the modern healthcare system to consider the impact of social factors on individuals' well-being.

Diminished returns of educational attainment on life satisfaction among Black and Latino older adults transitioning into retirement

BackgroundThis paper investigates the intricate relationship between race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and life satisfaction among middle-aged and older adults in the United States. Guided by the theory of Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs), positing that returns on educational attainment are attenuated for minoritized populations, this study aims to explore racial/ethnic disparities in the impact of educational attainment on the life satisfaction of middle-aged and older adults. MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of existing data. Utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we employed a longitudinal design with a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults in the United States. Key variables of interest included educational attainment, race/ethnicity, and average life satisfaction from wave 9–15 (20–30 years later). Statistical analysis included regression models to assess the associations between educational attainment and life satisfaction overall and by race and ethnicity. ResultsOverall, 5274 participants entered our analysis and were followed for up to 30 years. Our initial findings revealed a positive association between educational attainment and life satisfaction. Subsequently, we identified significant interactions between race/ethnicity and educational attainment, indicating notable racial and ethnic differences in the impact of educational attainment on life satisfaction. The effects of baseline on future educational attainment and life satisfaction were weaker for Black and Latino than non-Latino White counterparts. ConclusionsIn accordance with the Minorities' Diminished Returns theory, Black and Latino middle-aged and older adults experience a less pronounced positive impact of educational attainment on life satisfaction compared to their Non-Latino and White counterparts. There are non-additive complex interplay between educational attainment and race and ethnicity on subjective well-being of middle-aged and older adults. The identified disparities in the returns of educational attainment underscore the critical need to recognize and address structural barriers that contribute to the diminished returns of educational attainment for Black and Latino populations.

COVID and the crisis: the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of elite athletes and their thoughts about career ending

ABSTRACT Research question This study investigates the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on the subjective well-being of elite athletes in Germany and their thoughts about ending their careers. Research methods Using survey data from athletes who are supported by the German Sports Aid Foundation (n = 1652), the study first calculates the negative income shock experienced by elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic and then estimates the effects on the athletes’ subjective well-being, in the form of life satisfaction. Additionally, the study estimates the potential influence of an income shock on career ending thoughts. Results and Findings Regression results reveal that athletes, who experienced a negative income shock in 2020 reported on average lower life satisfaction overall. Life satisfaction was lower, the larger the shock and the lower the income of the athlete. Furthermore, athletes, who had a negative income shock in 2020, were more likely to ponder ending their careers in 2020. Implications The paper stresses the need for better financial funding for athletes. It also adds to the literature on career endings of athletes by suggesting that financial hardship could be a determinant for athletes to end their careers. The potential subsequent increase in dropout rates not only represents inefficiency but also signifies a loss of talent.

Readiness of nurses when faced with a patient's death.

The death of a patient negatively affects the professional dimension of nurses' functioning and also their private lives, where professional experiences and emotions are often transmitted. The main aim of the study was to discover how the nursing staff assessed their self-efficacy in dealing with the death of a patient. The researchers used a diagnostic survey method and a self-authored survey, Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS), The Death Anxiety and Fascination Scale with the Death Anxiety Subscale. The study group consisted of 287 individuals. Working in a hospital is stressful in the opinion of 79.44% of the respondents. 39.37% of the respondents feared death. In the course of work, the death of a patient in the department was sometimes experienced by 34.84% of the respondents, always experienced by 29.97%. The respondents usually did not make their compassion for a dying patient based on the patient's position in society (57.84%). In the case of the majority (84.67%) of the respondents, the employer did not provide mental support for the staff in difficult situations. The majority of the respondents did not feel the need to broaden their knowledge of death and dying (64.11%). The surveyed nurses most often presented low or average life satisfaction, high self-efficacy, average levels of stress and coping in all three styles (with a preference for avoidance-oriented), and a high level of death fascination and an average level of death anxiety. The majority of the nurses in difficult situations and when a stressful situation occurred did not receive support from their employer or from physicians, but could count on the assistance of fellow nurses and a divisional nurse. The majority of the respondents felt that psychological support in their work was important and would gladly benefit from it. Although most nurses did not feel the need to broaden their knowledge of death/dying, they would take part in such a course if it were possible.

Mental health and life satisfaction among those advised to shield during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a secondary analysis of the Understanding Society longitudinal study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, those considered most vulnerable to adverse outcomes from infection were designated "clinically extremely vulnerable" and advised to "shield." This involved prolonged confinement at home with strict limits on face-to-face contact, beyond national restrictions. Shielding ended in September 2021 and was considered likely to have harmed mental health and wellbeing. As the UK moved toward a new phase of "living with COVID-19" the mental health and wellbeing experiences of those advised to shield may have diverged from the general population. This study is a secondary analysis of nine "COVID-19 Survey" waves of Understanding Society, a longitudinal study of UK participants covering April 2020 to September 2021 alongside pre-pandemic baseline data. The prevalence of clinically significant psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire 12) and low life satisfaction were examined at each wave for participants with longitudinal responses across all waves, stratified by receipt of shielding guidance (Received n = 410, Not received n = 6,878). Mixed effects regression modeling examined associations between shielding guidance receipt and mental health and life satisfaction when adjusting for potential confounders including age and sex, pre-pandemic mental health/life satisfaction, and loneliness. Those who received shielding guidance were more likely to experience poor mental health and low life satisfaction during the pandemic. However, this largely reflected differences in pre-pandemic baselines. Variation between waves broadly coincided with the changing burden of COVID-19 and associated restrictions, with similar patterns regardless of shielding guidance receipt. Regression modeling combining data across all waves indicated that receipt of shielding guidance did not independently predict adverse outcomes. However, poor pre-pandemic mental health and low life satisfaction, and frequent loneliness, as well as demographic factors including sex and age, consistently predicted adverse pandemic mental health and wellbeing. While those who received shielding guidance did on average experience poorer mental health and life satisfaction during the pandemic, this study suggests this largely reflects existing inequalities. Drawing on data throughout the shielding program, it addresses an existing evidence gap. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing existing mental health inequalities in the recovery from the current pandemic and for future preparedness.

A Longitudinal Examination of the Relationship Between National-Level Per Capita Advertising Expenditure and National-Level Life Satisfaction Across 76 Countries

Advertising theory offers competing perspectives on how advertising might affect life satisfaction. For instance, advertising may have some negative effects by increasing materialism, or it may have some positive effects by reducing marketplace uncertainty. Yet research investigating these connections remains limited. We compile a data set of per capita advertising expenditure to investigate advertising’s relationship with life satisfaction within 76 countries from 2006 to 2019. We deal with several sources of endogeneity and account for other determinants of life satisfaction (e.g., gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, social support) in our analysis. Results from a within-country fixed-effect model indicate that per capita advertising expenditure is positively related to national average life satisfaction. Moderation analyses of this aggregate secondary data and two individual-level experiments provide mechanistic evidence that this occurs because of advertising’s ability to reduce marketplace uncertainty. However, supplemental analyses and an additional experiment indicate that this positive relationship is attenuated through a materialism pathway in certain situations (e.g., related to cultural, income, and subjective inequality factors) and can become negative. As such, we provide the first nuanced and multifaceted view of advertising’s complex relationship with life satisfaction in the marketing literature. History: Puneet Manchanda served as the senior editor for this article. Supplemental Material: The e-companion and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2021.0136 .

The Societal Determinants of Happiness and Unhappiness: Evidence From 152 Countries Over 15 Years

What makes people (un)happy? From the macro viewpoint, this study investigates the societal determinants of average life satisfaction (LS), the percentage of thriving/suffering people, and positive/negative affect collectively experienced in a society. Using the aggregate-level panel data for 152 economies over 15 years, country-fixed effects regressions reveal (1) the marginal effect of economic growth is likely to be smaller in affluent countries; (2) generosity predicts higher LS and positive affect heterogeneously across macroeconomic standards; (3) social support is substantially linked to both happiness and unhappiness worldwide; (4) freedom of choice predicts the lower risk of suffering and the higher chances of thriving and positive affect, especially in advanced economies; (5) longer healthy life expectancy is associated with the higher frequency of encountering negative affect; and (6) corruption negatively predicts happiness, particularly in the richest country group. These findings advance the socioeconomics of (un)happiness and relevant policy toward human flourishing.

Life Satisfaction Among Italian Migrants, Italian Stayers, and Swiss Natives: Who Fares Better?

Although reasons for migration may differ, it can be argued that international migrants have a common goal: improving the living conditions and well-being for themselves and their families. However, we still know relatively little about how older migrants evaluate their well-being and the implications of migration for their life satisfaction. This paper aims to contribute to this body of research. In a first part, we focus on two comparisons: 1) The life satisfaction level of older Italian migrants in Switzerland compared to that of older Swiss natives, and 2) The life satisfaction level of older Italian migrants in Switzerland compared to that of older Italian stayers in Italy. In a second part, we investigate the determinants of life satisfaction in each of these three groups. The article draws on an original survey carried out in Switzerland and Italy (N = 1,654). Against the current comparative literature on older migrants and non-migrants, we hypothesized that older Italian migrants in Switzerland display lower life satisfaction than older Swiss natives, and that older Italian migrants in Switzerland display higher life satisfaction than older stayers in Italy. We expected to observe these differences even when accounting for sociodemographic characteristics. While migrants’ average life satisfaction levels are lower than the levels of Swiss natives, this difference is fully mediated by sociodemographic variables. Migrants also report slightly lower life satisfaction levels than stayers; this difference remains significant at the p&lt;0.1 level but diminishes as we control for sociodemographic characteristics. When investigating the life satisfaction determinants of each group, we find similarities among the three groups: being in good health and being able to make financial ends meet are positively correlated with life satisfaction, while experiencing age-related discrimination is negatively correlated with life satisfaction. Having a partner is only positively correlated with satisfaction for Swiss natives, and religiosity is only positively correlated with satisfaction for stayers. The importance of this paper is threefold: 1) it investigates older migrants’ life satisfaction, an area of research that is underdeveloped, 2) it compares migrants to stayers, a comparison that is seldom found in the current literature but necessary to understand the implications of having a migratory background, and 3) it highlights the importance of policy interventions addressing the socioeconomic inequalities of older migrants.

Life Satisfaction Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand.

Objective: To investigate prevalence of life satisfaction in the Thai population before and during the COVID-19 epidemic, and factors associated with life satisfaction during the epidemic. Methods: Multistage sampling was used to draw a sample from the Thai population. A total of 3,115 Thai participants age 15years or older from a nationally-representative longitudinal survey in 2019 and in 2021 were included in this study. The study applied the Scale with Life Satisfaction (SWLS) instrument to measure life satisfaction among the Thai population before and during the COVID-19 epidemic. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the association between life satisfaction and other variables. The follow-up survey response rate for individuals was 44.8%. Results: An average life satisfaction score during the COVID-19 epidemic (in 2021) was 22.4 which decreased from 25.5 before the COVID-19 epidemic (in 2019). More than one-third of the participants (36.5%) reported having less life satisfaction during the epidemic, which was nearly 20 percentage points higher than before the epidemic (17.7%). Controlling for life satisfaction in 2019, the analysis found statistical associations between demographic and economic characteristics and health-related behaviours, and life satisfaction during 2021. People in the older age cohorts (p ≤ 0.001), in a rural area (p ≤ 0.05), having higher education (p ≤ 0.001), still being employed (p ≤ 0.01) and becoming unemployed (p ≤ 0.01) had higher life satisfaction. The possibility of higher life satisfaction was also found in people who maintained good health (p ≤ 0.01), sufficient physical activity (p ≤ 0.001), and fruit and vegetable intake (p ≤ 0.01). People with income loss during the epidemic had lower life satisfaction (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that policies and systems for resilience and social protection are needed for empowering individuals-especially the poor and vulnerable-to cope with crises, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

Regional Infrastructure Effects on the Life Satisfaction of Rural and Urban Residents. A Case Study for Ecuador

In developing countries, many households lack basic household services and the provision of utility infrastructure is uneven across regions, leaving lagged regions behind. This lack of infrastructure in specific places can affect the welfare of its inhabitants. This paper aims to measure the influence of household basic services and sub-national infrastructure activities on individual subjective well-being in Ecuador. To determine how important the geographical context is for individual welfare, a hierarchical ordered logistic multilevel model is conducted. The results show that the individual heterogeneity is explained in 7% by the variation across cantons. There are 52 cantons that are above the average life satisfaction and 43 cantons below it. Findings regarding infrastructure evidence that sub-national utility projects and road infrastructure have a positive significant effect on the life satisfaction of rural residents whereas it is not significant for urban residents, indicating the diminishing marginal utility of urban people. Once a satiation point is achieved, marginal utility increases are lower. As for household services, access to the internet has a higher positive welfare effect than access to sewerage and access to water via pipelines.

3.O. Workshop: Structural stigma shapes LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being across countries

Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people around the world have been shown to suffer from disparities in mental health and well-being relative to cisgender heterosexual people. Past research aiming to explain these gaps has referenced the added stress experienced by LGBTQ+ people in the form of, for example, interpersonal discrimination, rejection, and harassment (i.e., minority stress). While these phenomena exist at the interpersonal level, emerging evidence suggests that discriminatory structural-level factors, such as policies, norms and rules (i.e., structural stigma), may be just as influential in shaping LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being. Given the passage of a slate of bills limiting sexual and gender minority rights and banning open speech around these issues across many different countries, this is an extremely timely issue for sexual and gender minority health. This workshop will give examples of cutting-edge research on the ways in which structural stigma affects mental health and well-being for LGBTQ+ people. Dr. Dinah Gutermuth (University of Exeter, UK) will discuss findings from a global study (conducted in partnership with the BBC) including older and younger LGB individuals from 113 different countries, showing that structural stigma impairs social capital and creates disparities in loneliness between younger and older LGB individuals. Berk Can Ünsal (Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary) will present data from Europe highlighting structural stigma as a risk factor, and community participation as a protective factor, for depression in sexual and gender minority people. Dr. John Pachankis (Yale University, USA) will present results on how migration from countries of varying levels of structural stigma shapes depression and suicidality in sexual minority men. Finally, Dr. Richard Bränström (Karolinska Instituet, Sweden), will discuss how average life satisfaction improved from 2012-2019 for sexual minority people across Europe, with greater increases in countries with higher levels of structural stigma. Together, these presentations will demonstrate the far-reaching effects of structural stigma on LGBTQ+ mental health and well-being around the world. Key messages • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people around the world have been shown to suffer from disparities in mental health and well-being relative to cisgender heterosexual people. • Structural stigma is an important factor determining risk for poor mental health among LGBTQ+ individuals across countries.

Trajectories in life satisfaction before and during COVID-19 with respect to perceived valence and self-efficacy

Actions taken by governments to counteract the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic led to profound restrictions in daily lives, especially for adolescents and young adults, with closed schools and universities, travel restrictions, and reduction in social contacts. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the development of life satisfaction with assessments before and during the pandemic, including separate measurement occasions during a strict lockdown and when the implemented restrictions were relaxed again. Data are based on the German Personality Panel (GePP) with 1,920 young adults, assessed on four measurement occasions over a period of three years. Using latent change score modeling, we investigate the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic with respect to its perception as a critical life event over time. Further, we examine the influence of self-efficacy on change in life-satisfaction, as the belief in one’s innate abilities has been shown to promote health related behavior and buffers against effects of negatively perceived critical life events. While average life satisfaction remained stable across time, we found a main effect of perceived positive valence and self-efficacy on latent change in life satisfaction at the within person level. Expressions of self-efficacy did not moderate the influence of the perception of the pandemic on self-reported life satisfaction. This study provides an important contribution to the recent COVID-19 literature as well as to the debate on stability and change of self-reported life satisfaction.

Satisfaction of life in postmenopausal women

Introduction: Experiencing life satisfaction is an undisputed human desire. The postmenopausal period usually entails certain ailments that may contribute to the weakening of the woman's psychophysical condition and thus satisfaction with life.Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to examine the life satisfaction of postmenopausal women.&#x0D; Material and methods: The research was carried out in six randomly selected gynaecological clinics and in primary care clinics in the city of Lublin. They included 510 women. A diagnostic survey was used as a test method. The research tool was a questionnaire specially prepared for this work, consisting of sociodemographic data and a standardized questionnaire Satisfaction with Life Scale.&#x0D; Conclusions: Postmenopausal women are characterized by average life satisfaction. There is a relationship between life satisfaction and the level of education, subjective assessment of the material and housing situation, subjective assessment of health and sexual activity.&#x0D; Keywords: menopause, postmenopause, life satisfaction&#x0D;

Life satisfaction, skills diffusion, and the Japan Paradox: Toward multidisciplinary research on the skills trap

Recent research argues skills are the key to socio-economic success for individuals and societies, ranging from labor market outcomes to non-economic well-being. Drawing on these arguments, this study re-examines the linkage between the skills level of societies and people’s life satisfaction (LS), using the joint European Values Study–World Values Survey data for 48,930 individuals in 32 countries. Multilevel regressions confirm the positive association between these two variables, as suggested by the literature. However, there exists one outlier where the average LS score is markedly low despite its high skills level: Japan. Examining the mechanism behind this overall cross-national trend and Japan’s peculiar position—Japan Paradox—is a promising agenda for future multidisciplinary research, as it may reflect not only the favorable link between skills and LS but the hidden socio-economic structure—Skills Trap—that prevents highly skilled people from enjoying better well-being even under seemingly well-developed social conditions.

The association between healthcare needs, socioeconomic status, and life satisfaction from a Chinese rural population cohort, 2012–2018

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of unmet healthcare needs and clarify its impact on socioeconomic status (SES) and life satisfaction in a longitudinal cohort of the Chinese rural population. Data used in this study were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 1387 eligible rural residents from the Chinese Family Panel Studies. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression models were used to examine the factors associated with unmet healthcare needs and the impact of unmet healthcare needs on respondents’ perceived SES and life satisfaction. Approximately 34.6% of respondents were male, 18.2% were ≤ 40 years, and 66.7% had completed primary education or below. Around 19% and 32.6% of individuals who healthcare needs were met reported an above average socioeconomic status and life satisfaction, respectively in the baseline survey. GEE models demonstrated that unmet healthcare needs were significantly associated with low perceived SES (Odds ratio = 1.57, p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (Odds ratio = 1.23, p = 0.03) adjusted by covariates. Respondents who were older, reported moderate or severe illness, and with chronic conditions were more likely to report the unmet healthcare needs.Unmet healthcare needs are longitudinally associated with low SES and life satisfaction among the Chinese rural population, the disparity in access to healthcare exists among this population.

Self-rated mental health, community belonging, life satisfaction and perceived change in mental health among adults during the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

Findings from the 2020 Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health (SCMH) suggested that the positive mental health of adults in Canada was lower during the second wave of the pandemic (fall 2020) than in 2019. With 2021 SCMH data from winter/spring 2021, we find in the current study that average life satisfaction and the prevalence of high self-rated mental health, high community belonging and perceptions of stable/improved mental health were even lower during the third wave of the pandemic as compared to the second wave in the overall adult population and in most sociodemographic groups.