Happiness and the city

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitriy Potapov ◽  
Irina Shafranskaya ◽  
Anastasiya Bozhya-Volya
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The City

Purpose This paper aims to introduce and apply an assessment method designed to measure city satisfaction in relation to the subjective perception of individual well-being. Design/methodology/approach A structural model of residential satisfaction assessment is developed. To test the model, the authors have carried out an empirical research study, using a representative sample (1,636 respondents) of the residents of Perm, a large Russian city. Findings This study demonstrates both the direct and indirect influence of satisfaction with urban services, respondents’ individual characteristics, life satisfaction and happiness on overall city satisfaction. Moreover, this study attempts to explore the causality between subjective well-being and city satisfaction. Research limitations/implications The empirical research is limited to the one-city case. Practical implications This study aimed to provide local policy makers with a more refined tool for decision-making in urban policy, which could be of great importance as far as the city authorities need to set up priorities in urban management, especially under the pressure of limited budgets. Originality/value The results allow for the illustration of the cumulative and hierarchical nature of city satisfaction and highlight the relation of various life and urban domains and their influence on happiness, life satisfaction and city satisfaction.

Psychological capital and career commitment: the mediating effect of subjective well-being

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hansika Singhal ◽  
Renu Rastogi
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Career Commitment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discover the role of psychological capital (PsyCap) as a predictor of subjective well-being (SWB) and career commitment (CC). Further, it aims to analyze the mediating role of SWB in the relationship between PsyCap and CC in the Indian manufacturing sector. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey-based research design employing data from 300 employees in the National Capital Region (NCR) of India was used in the present research. Findings The results demonstrated that PsyCap acted as a predictor for SWB and CC. Additionally, SWB partially mediated the relationship between PsyCap and CC. Research limitations/implications The limitations of the present research would have to do with the purposive sample set chosen during the data collection. The sample consisted of middle- and upper-middle-class Indian employees working in the NCR having knowledge of English language and computer skills. Perhaps, future research works should take into account a wider sample in terms of the regions across India and not only the NCR. Although the findings showed that SWB reduced the relationship between PsyCap and CC, still that relationship was significant statistically. Further research studies might also explore various moderators while simultaneously studying SWB. In the research, SWB acted as a significant mediator of the relation between PsyCap and CC, yet at the same time, it may be the scenario that employees who are committed toward their career would be more inclined to espouse a greater sense of SWB (i.e. mediator is caused by the outcome). Hence, the authors duly recognize the need to test this substitute model. Since, SWB places chief emphasis on respondent’s own experiences and perspectives; it does not denote a consummate understanding of their mental health as people may have psychological disorders even if they experience happiness. Hence, the use of other measures in addition to SWB in comprehending a person’s psychological health is desirable (Diener et al., 1997). Practical implications This study suggests that in order for organizations to have a workforce committed to their career and hence, their profession, the supervisors will need to train the employees having a higher incidence of PsyCap to increase their SWB. Consequently, the supervisors will, in turn, need to recruit employees already having the four dimensions of PsyCap, i.e. hope, efficacy, resilience and optimism at the workplace in order for them to have a higher life satisfaction, positive affect, reduced negative affect (three components of SWB) and increased CC. Social implications Employees who develop within themselves a state of being hopeful, efficacious, resilient and optimistic will also be strongly oriented toward having greater life satisfaction, positive affect and lower levels of negative affect. This, in part, would help them achieve the required commitment toward their career and hence, help them in sticking with their jobs. Originality/value The present study advances the existing work on positive organizational behavior by exhibiting the noteworthy role of PsyCap in predicting SWB and CC. Further, it helps in demonstrating the inevitable role of SWB in partially mediating the relationship between PsyCap and CC.

scholarly journals Singles in the city: happily ever after?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Riederer ◽  
Nina-Sophie Fritsch ◽  
Lena Seewann
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Financial Situation ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The City

More people than ever are living in cities, and in these cities, more and more people are living alone. Using the example of Vienna, this paper investigates the subjective well-being of single households in the city. Previous research has identified positive and negative aspects of living alone (e.g., increased freedom vs. missing social embeddedness). We compare single households with other household types using data from the Viennese Quality of Life Survey (1995–2018). In our analysis, we consider overall life satisfaction as well as selected dimensions of subjective wellbeing (i.e., housing, financial situation, main activity, family, social contacts, leisure time). Our findings show that the subjective well-being of single households in Vienna is high and quite stable over time. While single households are found to have lower life satisfaction than two-adult households, this result is mainly explained by singles reporting lower satisfaction with family life. Compared to households with children, singles are more satisfied with their financial situation, leisure time and housing, which helps to offset the negative consequences of missing family ties (in particular with regard to single parents).

I'm Always Online

2019 ◽  
pp. 455-472
Author(s):  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Filip Majetić ◽  
Anja Wertag
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Love Life

Internet use has become an integral part of our lives. It provides a lot of benefits; however, excessive use can have serious consequences for one's well-being. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to explore well-being of heavy Internet users. Empirical research was conducted on 500 students of engineering, who were divided into groups based on the total time per day reported spending in various online activities. The comparison of subjective well-being and sources of life satisfaction and dissatisfaction showed that heavy Internet users were less happy compared to light users. Heavy Internet users found more satisfaction in various entertainment activities, while light users found more satisfaction in love life and family. Findings of this research provide some important theoretical findings, but also point out that the continuing research is needed to further explore the relation between Internet addiction, time spent online, and well-being.

Digitalisation in the banking industry and workers subjective well-being

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timurs Umans ◽  
Martin Kockum ◽  
Elin Nilsson ◽  
Sofie Lindberg
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Positive Relation ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Related

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how bankers perceive digitalisation relating to their subjective well-being. The paper seeks to further explore how this relation is contingent on the aspect of structural organisation represented by the concept of individualist/collectivist organisational culture. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the survey distributed to employees of 18 bank offices in the south of Sweden, which 161 employees answered. The analysis of the data was performed by descriptive statistics, principle component analysis, Pearson correlations, multiple linear and moderating multiple linear regression analyses. Findings The study indicates that bankers’ experience digitalisation as a four-faceted construct: a tool for information management, and work optimisation, customer relation management and as a change agent. The study suggests that the use of digital tools for work optimisation has a positive relation to the work- related dimensions of subjective well-being as well as a spillover effect on the life balance and life satisfaction dimensions. It also indicates that the information management dimension has a positive relation to the life satisfaction aspect of subjective well-being. Finally, the study found that increasing the degree of collectivist organisation culture has a positive moderating effect on the relation between the use of digital tools for work optimisation and life balance and subjective well-being, respectively. Originality/value The study reveals a new way of operationalising digitalisation in banks and is the first study of its type to explore the relationship between digitalisation different facets and banker subjective well-being.

Do linking social, human and financial capital matter for the labour force in Lao PDR? The relationship between occupational well-being and life satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanvedes Daovisan ◽  
Thanapauge Chamaratana
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Capital ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe labour force is the cornerstone of the economy of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Labour market growth seems to be vigorously increased by using labourers' capital to foster work-related employees’ well-being, through enhancing their life satisfaction. This study examines whether linking social, human and financial capital are important for the labour force in Lao PDR and whether there is a positive relationship between occupational well-being and life satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThe authors tested the hypotheses using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Using a systematic sampling approach, the study employed structured interviews; data were collected from 1,037 members of the labour force, between 2017 and 2019.FindingsThe structural model indicated that linking social and human capital and occupational well-being were significantly positively related to life satisfaction. However, the present study found that financial capital was non-significantly related to life satisfaction. The substantive and practical implications of these findings are discussed.Originality/valueThis is the first research study to investigate the relationship between occupational well-being and life satisfaction using a Laotian sample.

The effect of employment on the subjective well-being of 60–80 years old people

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1481-1497
Author(s):  
Hila Axelrad ◽  
Arie Sherman ◽  
Israel Luski
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Self Employment

PurposeThe current study investigates the association of employment at older age (60–80 years ) with the cognitive component of subjective well-being (SWB): life satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachOut of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), the present study’s sample included 58,197 observations of participants aged 60–80 years from 18 countries. The authors estimate the direct effects of employment and number of working hours on life satisfaction while considering the characteristics of the job and their impact.FindingsResults reveal that individuals who do not work enjoy a higher level of life satisfaction and so do those who work in developing jobs. Work under pressure reduces the level of SWB and working in physically demanding jobs has no significant impact on SWB. The results confirm previous findings regarding the positive contribution of self-employment to individuals’ SWB.Originality/valueThe results allow policy makers to implement policy measures that can improve older workers' SWB.

scholarly journals THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CAPITAL IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBJECTIVE PERCEPTION OF STRESS AND LIFE SATISFACTION

2021 ◽  
pp. 38-49
Author(s):  
Olefir V.O. ◽  
Bosniuk V.F.
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose of the work was to investigate the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between subjective perceptions of stress and person’s life satisfaction.Methods. Psycho-diagnostic methods “Stress Perception Scale-10”, “Psychological Capital”, “Life Satisfaction Scale” were used. Statistical analysis included calculation of descriptive statistics, correlations between variables (r-Pearson), finding differences between samples (ANOVA) and mediator analysis.Results. On the basis of a cross-sectional research of a sample of 460 people, the hypothesis that life satisfaction negatively correlates with the level of subjective perception of stress and positively with psychological capital was confirmed. Subjective perception of stress, in turn, negatively correlates with psychological capital. The hypothesis of the mediating role of psychological capital was partially confirmed, as the relationship between the perception of personal stress and life satisfaction remained statistically significant, although it decreased after psychological capital was added as a mediator. This result indicates that the cognitive assessment of stressors remains an important variable for predicting life satisfaction, even when regulating dispositional characteristics. Psychological capital as an integral personal resource is by a third statistically significant in determining the relationship between person’s perception of stress and life satisfaction. Affecting directly, subjective perception of stress explains 18.9% of the life satisfaction variance; at the same time the model mediated by psychological capital adds another 8.6%.Conclusion. Psychological capital is one of the integral personal resources, which provides a mechanism of response, processing and recovery from stressors, supporting the subjective well-being. It explains a third of the variance of the relationship between subjective perception of stress and life satisfaction. Psychological capital provides a partial mediating effect when people encounter stressors to maintain their well-being.Key words: life satisfaction, subjective well-being, psychological capital, perception of stress, mediator analysis. Метою роботи було вивчення опосередкованої ролі психологічного капіталу у взаємозв’язку між суб’єктивним сприйняттям стресу та задоволеністю життям особистістю.Методи. Використовувались психодіагностичні методики «Шкала сприйняття стресу-10», «Психологічний капітал», «Шкала задоволеності життям». Статистичний аналіз містив розрахунок описових статистик, кореляцій між змінними (r-Пірсона), знаходження відмінностей між вибірками (ANOVA) та медіаторний аналіз.Результати. На основі кроссекційного дослідження вибірки з 460 осіб підтверджено гіпотези, що задоволеність життям негативно корелює з рівнем суб’єктивного сприйняття стресу та позитивно – з психологічним капіталом. Суб’єктивне сприйняття стресу негативно взаємозв’язане з психологічним капіталом. Частково підтвердилась гіпотеза про опосередковану роль психологічного капіталу, оскільки взаємозв’язок між сприйняттям стресу особистістю та задоволеністю життям залишився статистично значущим, хоча і зменшився після того, як був доданий психологічний капітал як медіатор. Цей результат указує на те, що когнітивна оцінка стрес-факторів залишається важливою змінною для прогнозу задоволеності життям, навіть за умов контролю диспозиційної характеристики. Психоло-гічний капітал як інтегральний особистісний ресурс на третину статистично значуще визначає взаємозв’язок між сприйняттям стресу особистістю та задоволеністю життям. Суб’єктивне сприйняття стресу безпосереднім впливом пояснює 18,9% дисперсії задоволеності життям, а модель з опосередкуванням психологічним капіталом додає ще 8,6%.Висновки. Одним з інтегральних особистісних ресурсів, що забезпечує механізм реагування, переробки та відновлення після стресових факторів, підтримуючи суб’єктивне благополуччя, є психологічний капітал. Він пояснює третину дисперсії взаємозв’язку між суб’єктивним сприйняттям стресу та задоволеністю життям. Психологічний капітал забезпечує частковий медіаторний ефект, коли люди зіштовхуються зі стресовими факторами для підтримки свого благополуччя.Ключові слова: задоволеність життям, суб’єктивне благополуччя, психологічний капітал, сприйняття стресу, медіаторний аналіз.

Tolerance, governance and happiness (in)equality: cross-country evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raufhon Salahodjaev
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Quality Of Institutions ◽  
Cross Country

Purpose The purpose of this study is to extend related literature on life satisfaction. In particular, the author explores the link between tolerance, governance and life satisfaction inequality in a sample of 81 countries. While studies have shown that tolerance and governance are separately linked to subjective well-being, no study has shown their mutual relationship to life satisfaction inequality. Design/methodology/approach Considering the existing link between tolerance and quality of institutions, in this study, the author explores the relationship between tolerance and life satisfaction inequality and the mediating role of governance. This research could be embedded in the framework of ballooning research exploring the effect of societal values on institutions and life satisfaction. Findings The empirical findings suggest more tolerant societies are more likely to have more even levels of life satisfaction, but this correlation is completely mediated by governance. Quality of institutions thus seem to be one of the core channels by which societies that value tolerance achieve more equal distribution of happiness. The author also finds that while GDP per capita evens out happiness, income inequality increases the gap in life satisfaction within society. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first that relies on most up-to-date cross-country data to explore a novel channel through which tolerance may be linked to subjective well-being. In particular, in this study, the author posits that tolerance may have been linked to subjective well-being indirectly via its impact on quality of institutions (governance).

I'm Always Online

2018 ◽  
pp. 72-89
Author(s):  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Filip Majetić ◽  
Anja Wertag
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Love Life

Internet use has become an integral part of our lives. It provides a lot of benefits; however, excessive use can have serious consequences for one's well-being. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to explore well-being of heavy Internet users. Empirical research was conducted on 500 students of engineering, who were divided into groups based on the total time per day reported spending in various online activities. The comparison of subjective well-being and sources of life satisfaction and dissatisfaction showed that heavy Internet users were less happy compared to light users. Heavy Internet users found more satisfaction in various entertainment activities, while light users found more satisfaction in love life and family. Findings of this research provide some important theoretical findings, but also point out that the continuing research is needed to further explore the relation between Internet addiction, time spent online, and well-being.

Factors influencing users’ subjective well-being: an empirical study based on shared bicycles in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Liang Ma ◽  
Gao Shan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Financial Risks ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Risks ◽  
Shared Bicycle ◽  
Privacy Risks ◽  
Moderating Role

Purpose Bike sharing becomes suddenly hot up in China since the end of 2016. However, few studies have focused on shared bicycle users’ behavior. To fill this research gap, this paper aims to develop an integrated model to investigate factors that affect shared bicycle users’ subjective well-being. Design/methodology/approach A field survey with 220 shared bicycle users is conducted to test the research model and hypotheses. Findings The highlights are that perceived value has positive effect on users’ life satisfaction. Specially, it is interesting to find that hedonic value has the greatest impact on users’ life satisfaction, followed by social value and utilitarian value. Perceived risks which including privacy risks, financial risks and functional risks act as a moderating role between perceived value and users’ life satisfaction. Originality/value First, the authors clear factors that affect users’ subjective well-being from the perspective of perceived value. The results deepen our understanding about the effect of perceived value on users’ subjective well-being. Second, the current researches have ignored the effect of perceived risks on users’ subjective well-being. The authors filled that gap and found that perceived risks which including privacy risks, financial risks and functional risks act as a moderating role between perceived value and users’ subjective well-being.

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