Individual Subjective Well-being Research Articles

Kesejahteraan Subjektif pada Emerging Adulthood Ditinjau dari Self Compassion dan Religiusitas pada Remaja Akhir

Mental health during adolescence is crucial, as untreated issues can lead to problems in early adulthood. Early adulthood, the age period from late teens to late 20s, comes with various developmental tasks: selecting life partners, fulfilling social roles, achieving emotional independence, and establishing a household. Improving individual well-being is one way to address mental health and enhance subjective well-being, which includes life satisfaction, positive emotions, and reducing negative emotions. Self-compassion and religiosity are factors influencing subjective well-being during emerging adulthood. The research used a quantitative correlational method with self-compassion and religiosity as independent variables, and subjective well-being as the dependent variable. The findings indicate that self-compassion and religiosity together contribute 32,7% to subjective well-being in emerging adulthood. Self-compassion plays a larger role (32,2%) compared to religiosity (0,5%). These results of these research, highlight the importance of self-compassion and religiosity in improving individual subjective well-being. Enhancing these factors can help individuals face challenges, improve emotional resilience, and adopt healthier lifestyles, resulting in positive benefits for subjective well-being during emerging adulthood. Giving attention to adolescent mental health and developing self-compassion and religiosity during emerging adulthood are crucial to enhancing individual subjective well-being and overall well-being in Indonesian society. Relevant authorities should implement policies to improve the quality of mental health in Indonesian communities, ensuring the well-being and growth of future generations.

The impact of sports participation on individuals’ subjective well-being: the mediating role of class identity and health

Although studies have explored the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being, exploration of the mechanisms underlying the effects of sports participation on subjective well-being remains limited. In the context of promoting the deep integration of national fitness and national health in China, we explore the patterns and differences in the effects of sports participation on the subjective well-being of different populations and explore the underlying mechanisms of the effects of sports participation on individual subjective well-being based on body and society theory. Using data from the China General Social Survey, this study used multiple linear regression models, propensity score matching methods, quantile regression and chain mediation models to explore the relationship between sport participation and subjective well-being, and further elaborated the mediating role of subjective class identity and health in it. The results of the study showed that sports participation significantly and positively affected individual subjective well-being. The results of quantile regression and heterogeneity tests showed that the effect of sports participation on individual subjective well-being showed a significant quantile effect and group heterogeneity. Sports participation had a more significant effect on the well-being of older adults. The results of the mediation effect test showed that sports participation increased subjective well-being by enhancing individuals’ subjective class identity and health, respectively, while subjective class identity and health had a significant chain mediation effect. Based on the findings of the study this paper provides some practical suggestions for improving the subjective well-being of residents, especially the elderly, which will provide some valuable references for the next studies on residents’ well-being and life satisfaction.

Association between subjective well-being and all-cause mortality among older adults in China

BackgroundAlthough several studies in high-income countries have suggested a positive association between subjective well-being (SWB) and mortality, studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries, such as China, are scarce. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between SWB and all-cause mortality among the older Chinese population.MethodsData were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), a population-based longitudinal cohort study in 22 of 31 provinces in mainland China. A total of 13,282 individuals aged 65 ≥ years who were recruited in 2002 and followed-up until 2018 were included. SWB was assessed with an eight-item tool covering life satisfaction, positive affect (including optimism, happiness, personal control and conscientiousness) and negative affect (including anxiety, loneliness and uselessness). Cox proportional hazards regression methods were carried out to estimate the association between SWB and total mortality, adjusting for a wide range of potential confounders. Subgroup analyses and interaction analyses were further conducted.ResultsDuring the 16.5 years of follow-up, 8459 deaths were identified. Greater SWB was independently associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.81–0.89) after adjustment for age, sex, marital status, education level, place of residence, smoking status, drinking, exercise, diet, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases and cancer. Of the eight individual SWB symptoms, only 2 items, feelings of uselessness (adjusted HR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.89–0.99) and happiness (adjusted HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86–0.95), were significantly associated with total mortality. Associations remained significant across all subgroups regardless of different characteristics.ConclusionsHigher SWB overall and 2 certain symptoms (feelings of uselessness and happiness) were independently associated with all-cause mortality risk among older Chinese adults. The association was consistent across different groups, suggesting that promoting a healthier SWB may be beneficial to all older individuals irrespective of their characteristics.

Leisure Involvement, Leisure Benefits, and Subjective Well-Being of Bicycle Riders in an Urban Forest Park: The Moderation of Age

The prominence of participating in outdoor leisure activities has gained significance in individuals’ lives as a result of the rapid growth of the economy and the rise in available leisure time. The present study employed structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among leisure involvement, the three distinct dimensions of leisure benefits (physiological benefits, psychological benefits, and social benefits), and subjective well-being of bicycle riders. Moreover, the moderating effect of age was also investigated. A field survey was undertaken within an urban forest park, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China, in order to gather data, resulting in the collection of 512 questionnaires that were deemed usable. The results suggest that leisure involvement has a significant and positive impact on bicycle riders’ physiological, psychological, and social benefits, as well as their overall subjective well-being. The subjective well-being of individuals is positively influenced by the physiological, psychological, and social benefits. Additionally, the results of the analysis on the moderating effects suggest that age significantly moderates the relationships between leisure involvement and leisure benefits. The present study also addresses the theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and potential avenues for future research.

Ability Emotional Intelligence and Subjective Happiness in Adolescents: The Role of Positive and Negative Affect.

Adolescence is an increasingly vulnerable period for the onset of affective disorders and other mental health issues that can significantly impact an individual's subjective well-being. This study aims to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence (ability EI), measured with a performance-based instrument, and Subjective Happiness in adolescents. It also explores the mediating role of positive (PA) and negative affect (NA) in this association and the moderating role of gender. The sample consisted of 333 first-year secondary school students from five centers in Spain, with an average age of 12.11 years (SD = 0.64), ranging from 11-14 years. Path analysis revealed an indirect effect (through NA and PA jointly) of Total Ability EI on Subjective Happiness and a positive direct effect that was observed only in females. Furthermore, this association was explored through various branches of ability EI. The results of this study suggest that interventions aimed at improving emotional abilities in adolescents while modulating the intensity of their emotions could significantly impact their overall well-being.

From Coaching to Neurocoaching: A Neuroscientific Approach during a Coaching Session to Assess the Relational Dynamics between Coach and Coachee-A Pilot Study.

Life transitions represent moments characterized by changes that can profoundly influence individual life trajectories and subjective well-being. Recently, career coaching has become an important method of helping people expand their self-awareness, facilitate personal development, and increase their performance in the school-to-work transition. Although previous studies have confirmed that one of the most important keys to the success of a coaching program is the quality of the relationship between coach and coachee, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how to objectively measure it. In this pilot study, we adopted a neuroscientific approach to introduce objective measures of the relationship between coach and coachee through the phases of a coaching session. A sample of 14 university students and a professional coach participated in career-coaching sessions while their affective states were measured by recording brain (EEG) and physiological (Skin conductance) activity. Electroencephalographic indicators of valence, arousal, and engagement showed differences between session phases, highlighting the possibility of a neurophysiological measurement of relational dynamics. Our results provide initial evidence that neurophysiological activity can be considered a way to understand differences in the coach-coachee relationship, thereby providing information on the effectiveness of coaching interventions and facilitating a better life transition from school to work.

Changing times and subjective well-being in urban China 2003–2013: An age-period-cohort approach

This paper analyzes the intersection of individual lives and historical context by examining how cohort membership, historical conditions, and individual maturation influence subjective well-being in urban China. We use cross-classified multilevel models and repeated measures of happiness from seven waves of the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS 2003–2013, N = 43,308). The results indicate that individuals born between 1956 and 1961 experienced setbacks at various pivotal moments throughout their life, including education, employment, economic stability, and social connections, and this cohort reports a lower overall sense of happiness when compared to other cohorts. The effect of aging on happiness comprises a U-shaped pattern; the middle-aged are the least happy. We observe an upward trend in happiness from 2003 to 2013. These results are confirmed by using subjective socioeconomic status (SES) as an alternative measure of well-being from CGSS 2003 and CGSS 2005 (N = 11,992). This paper contributes to studies of market transition by identifying the birth cohort as an important mechanism of inequality. It also augments the life-course paradigm by highlighting the significance of timing when individual lives intersect with historical context.

Role of Individual's Subjective Well-Being in Exposure to Hate Material on Twitter; An Analysis of Lahore-Based University Students

The research examines the association between hate material exposure and subjective well- being on Twitter using a sample of private and public universities in Lahore. The researcher aims to identify how life happiness & satisfaction are associated with higher exposure to hate material. Data is collected through an online survey (n = 400). The researcher used the theoretical framework of Routine Activity Theory. The findings of the research did not determine any significant relationship between the lower level of subjective well-being and exposure to hate material on Twitter (p > 0.05) because hatred content is easily available and accessible on the Internet and does not require any specific psychological or behavioural situation for having being exposed. Attention is given to the problems which become the cause of sharing hateful content online. The study recommends that SNS should focus more on policies to control hateful content as it is targeting people who result in violent behaviours.

Bright sides and dark sides: Unveiling the double-edged sword effects of social networks

Social networks have both positive and negative effects as a double-edged sword. However, previous studies have mostly focused on the positive effects of social networks, whereas the negative effects have received less scrutiny and need to be tapped empirically. In this quantitative study, we investigate the multiple effects of social networks, including positive instrumental, positive sentimental, negative instrumental, and negative sentimental effects, using data from the 2020 Urban and Rural Community Survey in China (N = 19,585). The results showed that the four types of effects were manifested during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and were dominated by positive effects. More importantly, social networks can significantly shape individual subjective well-being and social trust. As positive effects, transmitting epidemic information and providing psychological comfort significantly protect subjective well-being and enhance social trust. However, as negative effects, spreading rumors and conveying negative emotions can significantly detriment subjective well-being and undermine social trust. In this regard, future research needs to pay special attention to the double-edged sword effect of social networks to more comprehensively understand the effect of multiple pathways of interpersonal social networks on individuals’ subjective well-being and life opportunities.

Mental well-being and government support in Europe. The mediating role of trust in people and institutions

PurposeThis paper investigates the determinants of subjective well-being in Europe using the European Living, Working and COVID-19 (ELWC) Survey carried out by Eurofound (2021). Socio-demographics characteristics, employment status, measures of economic distress, inequality and work life balance are considered. Particular attention is paid to how quality of government support (QGS), that considers the dimensions of good governance such as integrity, fairness, reliability, responsiveness and influences subjective mental well-being (WHO-5) through the mediation of trust in other people and in institutions.Design/methodology/approachTo this end, the authors estimate a moderated mediation model for analysing the indirect role of QGS on WHO-5 through institutional trust and trust in people.FindingsThe results support the hypothesis that the reduction in WHO-5 in the European population during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID--19), particularly marked in the 18–34 age group, is related to the perceived inadequacy of government interventions in managing economic and social uncertainty through supportive measures. This outcome is also due to reduced trust in institutions and other people, as both are significant mediators that reinforce the impact of public support on WHO-5.Practical implicationsGovernment should pay greater attention to this relationship amongst good governance, trust and mental health of citizens because a healthy human capital is a significant factor for the long-run economic growth, in a special way when the authors refer to the young workforce with a greater life expectancy.Originality/valueIn the literature, the role of trust as a mediator has been analysed in the relationship between individual economic situations and subjective well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no studies have examined the role of perceived QGS on subjective mental well-being using the mediating and backing effects of trust in people and institutions.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2022-0549.

Trait Depression and Subjective Well-Being: The Chain Mediating Role of Community Feeling and Self-Compassion

Although subjective well-being has been widely discussed as being one of the important indicators of clinical depression, few studies have explored how it relates to trait depression. In particular, increasing the number of positive experiences has long been a potential goal for depression-related clinical interventions, but the mechanisms by which such interventions work in countering depression have been poorly studied. Grounded in the cognitive theory of depression, the current study aimed to address this specific gap by testing the mediating effects of community feeling and self-compassion between trait depression and subjective well-being. A survey of 783 college students found that trait depression was not only able to directly and negatively predict individual subjective well-being but also indirectly predict individual subjective well-being through the mediating role of community feeling and self-compassion alone and through the chain mediating role of self-compassion from community feeling. These findings reveal the internal mechanisms of trait depression that, to some extent, impede subjective well-being and offer certain guiding significance for the self-regulation of interventions for clinical and non-clinical individuals with trait depression.

An Integrated Approach to the Conceptualisation and Measurement of Social Cohesion

The core sociological subject of ‘social cohesion’ (hereafter SC) has re-emerged as a key concept in the social sciences. On the one hand, SC is thought to be influenced by a society’s degree of inequalities and the quality of its welfare state. On the other hand, SC is thought to be instrumental in its own right to other factors such as economic growth, institutional quality, and individual well-being. In recent years, a few attempts have been made to measure SC empirically. Many current indices have not been sufficiently theoretically substantiated, and do not consider the importance of different ‘social levels’ when explaining and measuring SC as both cause and effect of other correlates. Very often, SC is simply defined as a ‘social quality’ or a quality of a collective. As a result, measures are often aggregate macro-indices leading to a loss of the information base of any social ‘units’ below the macro-societal-level. Contributing to this important methodological debate, this paper provides a conceptual reformulation of SC. Hence, when assessing SC based on a multi-dimensional index, it is insightful and feasible to evaluate both its internal variation as well as its holistic validity. In fact, it is proposed that these two aspects of measurement stand in direct relationship to one-another. The paper starts out with a discussion of SC as a ‘social fact’ in the Durkheimian sense. In addition, three bridging propositions on the measurement of SC are advanced: (a) SC as outcome or consequence at the level of individual attitudes and orientations (‘micro’); (b) SC as degree of dissimilarity and presence of latent conflict within a society at the level of salient social categories (‘meso’), and (c) SC as predictor, social determinant and hence antecedent at the societal-level (‘macro’). Using all rounds of the European Social Survey with a very large sample size, the advantages of this approach are illustrated by singling-out the important link between socio-economic inequalities, social cohesion and individual subjective well-being in a path of action.

The Relationship Between Childhood Traumas and Subjective Well-Being of Individuals in Adolescence

Yaşam evreleri içerisinde oldukça kritik olan ergenlik dönemi, bireylerin yoğun değişim yaşadığı süreçlerden biridir. Bu dönemde yaşanılan fizyolojik gelişime, psikolojik değişimler de eşlik etmektedir. Bireylerin çocukluk çağında yaşamış oldukları ruhsal travmaların yansıması ergenlik döneminde de kendisini gösterebilmekte, iyi oluşlarını etkileyebilmektedir. Bu araştırmada temel amaç, ergenlik dönemindeki bireylerin çocukluk çağı travmaları ile öznel iyi oluşları arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Ayrıca katılımcıların travmayı inkâr durumlarına, demografik özelliklerine göre öznel iyi oluşun farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığı incelenmiştir. Çalışma grubunun uygun örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlendiği bu araştırmada, ilişkisel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini, 2021-2022 eğitim öğretim yılında lise eğitimlerine devam eden ergenlik dönemindeki 649 gönüllü kişi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada veri toplama araçları olarak Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Bernstein ve arkadaşları (1994) tarafından geliştirilen ve Şar, Öztürk ve İkikardeş (2012) tarafından geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışmaları yapılan Çocukluk Çağı Travmaları Ölçeği ile Eryılmaz (2009) tarafından geliştirilen Ergen Öznel İyi Oluş Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Veriler analiz edilirken, betimsel istatistiklerden, ilişkisiz örneklemler için t-Testinden ve tek yönlü varyans analizinden (ANOVA) yararlanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonuçlarına bakıldığında katılımcıların öznel iyi oluş puanlarının travmayı inkâr etme durumuna göre anlamlı düzeyde farklılaştığı görülmektedir. Ayrıca araştırmada katılımcıların çocukluk çağı travmaları ile öznel iyi oluşları arasında orta düzeyde negatif yönlü anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Katılımcıların öznel iyi oluşlarının cinsiyete ve sosyo-ekonomik duruma göre anlamlı düzeyde farklılaşmadığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmada elde edilen bulgular ilgili alan yazın ışığında tartışılarak öneriler sunulmuştur.

Time Use and Subjective Well-Being of Multiple Jobholders: Evidence From the American Time Use Survey

Millions of workers hold more than one job. Multiple jobholders work various combinations of part-time and full-time jobs, which suggests they might spend their time differently than single jobholders, and the second job might affect an individual's subjective well-being. Using data from the 2003-2019 American Time Use Survey, I show that multiple jobholders work and commute more, and spend less time relaxing, sleeping, and doing housework than single jobholders. Overall, multiple jobholders are less likely to report being rested and having a good life relative to single jobholders. I also show how these differences vary by gender and race.

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.

Subjective well-being and its impact on online game addiction

ABSTRACT This study examined how an individual's subjective well-being (SWB) affects their online game addiction levels, which, in turn, affect their happiness and overall health. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. The results showed that SWB had a negative relationship with online game addiction but a positive relationship with happiness and life health. Additionally, online game addiction had a negative impact on both happiness and life health. Furthermore, there was a significant positive relationship between happiness and life health. Overall, the proposed model explained 1.60%, 51.60%, and 31.80% of the variance in online game addiction, happiness, and life health, respectively. PLS-SEM analysis provided evidence that the indirect effect of SWB on life health and happiness was fully mediated by online game addiction. These findings indicate that SWB has a significant indirect effect on life health and happiness through online game addiction.

Mindfulness and Subjective Well-Being of Indian University Students: Role of Resilience during COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is presently a global health issue that negatively affects the mental health and well-being of students globally. The latest investigations have recognized the role of mindfulness in individual subjective well-being. This study explores the mediating role of resilience in the overall relationship between mindfulness and subjective well-being among Indian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected between 10 August 2020 to 24 October 2020 via a self-administered questionnaire from 589 university students in India. Results revealed that resilience has a partial mediating role between mindfulness and subjective well-being. The results substantiate that resilience has an important role in mindfulness, exercising its advantageous effects on mental health of the students in higher education institutions. This research adds to the knowledge base of mindfulness and subjective well-being of university students, especially in contingent times. Lastly, the study contributes to the existing mindfulness theory.

Overtime work, job autonomy, and employees' subjective well-being: Evidence from China.

Chinese workers suffer more from overtime than in many countries. Excessive working hours can crowd out personal time and cause work-family imbalance, affecting workers' subjective well-being. Meanwhile, self-determination theory suggests that higher job autonomy may improve the subjective well-being of employees. Data came from the 2018 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey (CLDS 2018). The analysis sample consisted of 4,007 respondents. Their mean age was 40.71 (SD = 11.68), and 52.8% were males. This study adopted four measures of subjective well-being: happiness, life satisfaction, health status, and depression. Confirmation factor analysis was employed to extract the job autonomy factor. Multiple linear regression methods were applied to examine the relationship between overtime, job autonomy, and subjective well-being. Overtime hours showed weak association with lower happiness (β = -0.002, p < 0.01), life satisfaction (β = -0.002, p < 0.01), and health status (β = -0.002, p < 0.001). Job autonomy was positively related to happiness (β = 0.093, p < 0.01), life satisfaction (β = 0.083, p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between involuntary overtime and subjective well-being. Involuntary overtime might decrease the level of happiness (β = -0.187, p < 0.001), life satisfaction (β = -0.221, p < 0.001), and health status (β = -0.129, p < 0.05) and increase the depressive symptoms (β = 1.157, p < 0.05). While overtime had a minimal negative effect on individual subjective well-being, involuntary overtime significantly enlarged it. Improving individual's job autonomy is beneficial for individual subjective well-being.

Beyond Homeownership? Examining the Mediating Role of Housing Tenure on Young People’s Subjective Well-Being

Young people around the world are facing similar housing challenges, trapped between a costly and unaffordable homeownership sector and an unstable (private) rental sector. China has opted to promote renting as an alternative to homeownership to alleviate the housing difficulties of young people in big cities. However, the influences of promoting rental housing on the subjective well-being of different groups have not been well understood. Therefore, this study examines the mediating role of housing tenure in the relationship between individual attributes and subjective well-being. The study is based on 1,149 questionnaires conducted on the housing situations of residents in Guangzhou, and 618 samples were extracted for analysis based on the purpose of this study. It is found that individual, marital status, (local/nonlocal) hukou status, and income level have significant indirect effects on subjective well-being, with housing tenure as the mediator. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the influencing mechanisms of subjective well-being associated with housing tenure and human heterogeneity and specifies the key points for future research and policymaking.

Rainfall Shocks, Health and Well-being in Rural Vietnam

This study examines how rainfall shocks influence self-perceived health conditions and subjective well-being among Vietnamese rural residents. To estimate the effects of interest, we adopt the individual fixed effects model that exploits the within-individual variation in rainfall shock exposure. We uncover the harmful impacts of rainfall shocks on individual health and subjective well-being. Particularly, a 100% increase in rainfall relative to the district-specific norms make individuals 14.3 and 14.6 percentage points less likely to report themselves to be healthy and healthier relative to last year, respectively. They are also 13.7 and 5.5 percentage points less likely to consider themselves wealthy in comparison to other residents in their villages and Vietnam, respectively. We further show that individuals working in both agriculture and non-agriculture industries are adversely affected by rainfall shocks, but the impacts are larger in magnitude for the agriculture group. The findings suggest that effective measures from the government and households are required to alleviate the costs of climate volatility such as rainfall shocks. JEL Classifications: I15, J13, O15, Q54