Predictors of Differences in Subjective Well-Being Across 97 Nations
- 10 February 2009
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Cross-Cultural Research
- Vol. 43 (2), 152-179
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1069397109332239
Abstract
This study analyzes national differences in various facets of subjective well-being as measured by the World Values Survey, including the most recent wave (2005-2007), across a sample of 97 nations. The main predictor of the cognitive facet (life satisfaction) is a perception of life control, followed by wealth. The hedonic facet (happiness) is explained by a syndrome of correlated variables: perceived life control, high importance of leisure, and low importance of thrift. It is proposed that this syndrome is stronger in societies that do not have a powerful cultural legacy of highly intensive agriculture. The negative pole of the hedonic facet (unhappiness) seems to be related mostly to poverty and a perception of low life control (helplessness), plus various situational factors.Keywords
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