Economic Perspective on the Value of Cats and Dogs

AbstractAlthough various benefits of cats and dogs have been extensively studied, their fundamental economic value is poorly understood. Economic values are, in contrast to monetary values, determined subjectively and guide individuals in their decisions. This study presents a conceptual economic model of the value of cats and dogs which provides a basis for future research. Benefits of cats and dogs identified in the literature are categorized in relation to the model. The multidimensional value of these nonhuman animals includes different use and non-use values, for caretakers and other humans. Data from an online survey on the salience (importance of attributes in memory) of cats and dogs in Sweden provide support for the proposed model. It is argued that the subjective well-being approach developed in psychology provides a good starting point for estimating many of the economic values of these animals, but that different types of values may require different approaches.

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Materialist values, financial and pro-environmental behaviors, and well-being

Young Consumers Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers ◽

10.1108/yc-10-2018-0867 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 264-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sabrina Helm ◽

Joyce Serido ◽

Sun Young Ahn ◽

Victoria Ligon ◽

Soyeon Shim

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Resource Constraints ◽

Financial Education ◽

Well Being ◽

Financial Behavior ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Social Phenomena ◽

Content Type ◽

Alternative Pathways

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine young consumers’ financial behavior (e.g. saving) and pro-environmental behavior (i.e. reduced consumption and green buying) as effective proactive strategies undertaken in the present to satisfy materialistic values and maximize well-being. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on an online survey among a panel of young American adults (N = 968). Findings The study finds a positive effect of materialism on personal well-being and negative effects on financial satisfaction, proactive financial coping and reduced consumption, but no effect on green buying, a separate and distinct pro-environmental strategy. Both proactive financial coping and reduced consumption are positively associated with subjective well-being. Research limitations/implications Future research should re-examine conceptualizations of materialism in the context of climate change and the meaning of possessions in the global digital economy; studies could also focus on the specific well-being effects of reduced consumption and alternative pathways to align materialistic and environmental values. Practical implications Consumer education should look to models of financial education to demonstrate how limited natural resources can be managed at the micro level to enhance consumers’ subjective well-being, as well as reduce resource strain at the macro level. Originality/value Key contributions are the examination of materialism and consumption in the dual contexts of financial and environmental resource constraints and the effects of these key macro-social phenomena on consumers’ perceived well-being. Another study highlight is the differentiation of two strategies for proactive environmental coping, of which only one, reduced consumption, increased personal well-being and decreased psychological distress.

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Facebook, Social Comparison, and Subjective Well-Being

Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-8544-3.ch066 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1201-1217

Author(s):

Jessica J. Joseph

Keyword(s):

Social Comparison ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Facebook Use ◽

Research And Education ◽

Upward Social Comparison

Facebook use has implications for subjective well-being. Previous research has revealed that passive Facebook use is typically related to deficits in subjective well-being, which is thought to be linked through upward social comparison. In contrast, active Facebook use is typically related to enhancements in subjective well-being. The main objective of the present study was to synthesize findings related to Facebook use and subjective well-being and to expand by proposing and testing whether the benefits associated with active Facebook use compensate for the negative effects associated with passive use. The second objective was to discuss policy and research directions. A total of 310 undergraduate students completed an online survey with questions regarding Facebook use, social comparison, and subjective well-being. Bootstrapping analyses revealed that active Facebook use did not buffer the negative effects for subjective well-being that occur during passive Facebook use. Recommendations for future research and education programs are discussed.

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Facebook, Social Comparison, and Subjective Well-Being

Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies - The Psychology and Dynamics Behind Social Media Interactions ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-9412-3.ch011 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 268-288

Author(s):

Jessica J. Joseph

Keyword(s):

Social Comparison ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Facebook Use ◽

Research And Education ◽

Upward Social Comparison

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Self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, affective responding, and subjective well-being - A Swedish survey

10.31234/osf.io/3vt7a ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria Gröndal ◽

Karl Ask ◽

Timothy John Luke ◽

Stefan Winblad

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cognitive Reappraisal ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Work Study ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Personal Consequences ◽

Global Threat ◽

Life Work

A rapid stream of research confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat to mental health and psychological well-being. It is therefore important to identify both hazardous and protective individual factors during the pandemic. The current research examined the relationships between self-reported affective responding, perceived personal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subjective well-being. An online survey (N = 471) conducted in Sweden between June and September, 2020, showed that higher levels of irritability, impulsivity, and the tendency to experience and express anger were generally associated with more severe personal consequences of the pandemic, particularly in areas related to family life, work/study, and finances. While more severe impacts of the pandemic in these areas of life were directly associated with lower subjective well-being, emotion regulation through cognitive reappraisal appeared to moderate the extent to which consequences of the pandemic in other areas of life (i.e., social, free-time and physical activities) translated into decreased well-being. This suggests that cognitive reappraisal may serve to protect against some of the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Overall, the results indicate that the perceived consequences of the pandemic are multifaceted and that future research should examine these consequences using a multidimensional approach.

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Individual differences and changes in lifestyle behaviours predict decreased subjective well-being during COVID-19 restrictions in an Australian sample

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdab040 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Brindal ◽

Jillian C Ryan ◽

Naomi Kakoschke ◽

Sinead Golley ◽

Ian T Zajac ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Online Survey ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Well Being ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Australian Sample

Abstract Background Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, social distancing practices were introduced to curb infection rates in many countries. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of these restrictions on behaviours and well-being and whether individual differences predict changes in well-being. Methods Australian adults participated in a cross-sectional, online survey during May 2020. The survey captured demographic information; health behaviours; personality traits; life satisfaction and COVID-19-related attitudes, financial concerns, perceived risks and impacts. Results In total, 3745 (86.8% of 4313) participants completed all items. Participants were mostly female (85.7%) and 56.4 years (standard deviation [SD] = 12.6) on average. Over 95.0% of the sample indicated they had been social distancing or isolating. Health behaviours and well-being had generally worsened, with social connections being the most negatively affected. Life satisfaction was significantly lower since restrictions. For changes in life satisfaction, extroversion was a risk factor and openness to experience was a protective factor. Conclusions Overall, well-being was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing particularly in this sample containing mainly older women. In future, it will be crucial to understand why and who may be differentially affected, to encourage behaviours that are protective of well-being.

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PHYSIOLOGY OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1625 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S434-S434

Author(s):

Konstantinos Mantantzis ◽

Denis Gerstorf ◽

Thomas M Hess

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Well Being ◽

Empathic Accuracy ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Use Of Data ◽

Aging Study ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Relationship Factors

Abstract Research into peripheral physiology and its association with cognition, emotionality, and social/physical functioning has received considerable attention over the years. However, many of the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this symposium, we have compiled a set of four empirical projects that showcase current and future endeavors to address some of the long-standing questions about when, how, and why physiology shapes and is shaped by key psychosocial resources. Hawkley et al. make use of data from the NSHAP and HRS longitudinal studies to investigate whether social relationships such as number of friends predicts risk of diabetes among older adults. Wilson et al. use dyadic data from young and middle-aged couples to examine cardiometabolic similarity among spouses, and how such concordance is shaped by key relationship factors such as emotional closeness. Pauly et al. use data from two daily-life studies of older couples to investigate how physiological synchrony in cortisol is modulated by partner interactions, empathy, and empathic accuracy. Finally, Mantantzis et al. make use of multi-year longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study II to examine the role of glucose regulation capacity for trajectories of subjective well-being among older adults. Thomas Hess will discuss the importance of these papers, discuss strengths and weaknesses of the approaches chosen, and consider implications for future research.

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The economic recession and subjective well-being in older adults in the Republic of Ireland

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2016.21 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 99-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. M. Duffy ◽

K. Mullin ◽

S. O’Dwyer ◽

M. Wrigley ◽

B. D. Kelly

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Economic Recession ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Health ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Future Health

ObjectiveSubjective well-being in older people is strongly associated with emotional, physical and mental health. This study investigates subjective well-being in older adults in Ireland before and after the economic recession that commenced in 2008.MethodsCross-sectional data from the biennial European Social Survey (2002–2012) were analysed for two separate groups of older adults: one sampled before the recession and one after. Stratification and linear regression modelling were used to analyse the association between subjective well-being, the recession and multiple potential confounders and effect modifiers.ResultsData were analysed on 2013 individuals. Overall, subjective well-being among older adults was 1.30 points lower after the recession compared with before the recession (s.e. 0.16; 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.61; p<0.001) [pre-recession: 16.1, out of a possible 20 (s.d. 3.24); post-recession:14.8 (s.d. 3.72)]. Among these older adults, the pre- and post-recession difference was especially marked in women, those with poor health and those living in urban areas.ConclusionsSubjective well-being was significantly lower in older adults after the recession compared with before the recession, especially in women with poor health in urban areas. Policy-makers need proactively to protect these vulnerable cohorts in future health and social policy. Future research could usefully focus on older people on fixed incomes whose diminished ability to alter their economic situation might make them more vulnerable to reduced subjective well-being during a recession.

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Subjective Well-Being and Events

Event Management ◽

10.3727/152599521x16192004803584 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nanyi Nicole Yu ◽

Judith Mair ◽

Andy Lee ◽

Faith Ong

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Sporting Events ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Measurement Tools ◽

Final Approach ◽

Local Residents ◽

Psychology Literature ◽

Western Perspective

The economic and social-cultural impacts of events are well documented in the existing events literature. The emergence of quality of life (QOL), well-being and happiness in the positive psychology literature has accelerated research on events and individuals’ subjective well-being (SWB). Taking a narrative synthesis approach, this study identifies a total of 46 peer reviewed journal articles on SWB and events and reviews how SWB has been discussed and investigated in the events context. The results of this study reveal three key approaches to SWB and events. The first approach takes SWB as synonymous with the benefits and impacts of events. The second approach examines SWB in terms of its relationship with the motivations and satisfaction of event participants and local residents. The final approach to SWB examines the relationship between SWB and the event (including festivalscape) experience. The review findings also identify areas of potential weakness in the existing literature. The existing event studies relating to SWB primarily focus on sporting events, with only a few festivals, are often undertaken from a Western perspective, and generally rely on quantitative approaches. More importantly, the extant event literature appears to use the SWB concept loosely without agreement on its structure or key components. Suggestions for future research lie in further conceptualisation of SWB in the events context with validated measurement tools and conceptual models, and closer examination of the causal relationship between event (experience) and levels of SWB.

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The Work-Life Balancing Act

International Journal of Human Capital and Information Technology Professionals ◽

10.4018/ijhcitp.2021070101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Dhruva Pathak ◽

Vijayakumar Bharathi S. ◽

Padma Mala E.

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Work Productivity ◽

Well Being ◽

Personal Life ◽

Future Research ◽

New Ways Of Working ◽

Professional Attitude ◽

Work From Home ◽

The Impact

The study investigated the impact of mandatory work from home due COVID-19 on personal and professional lives of people with different demographics. Statistical analysis of an online survey data (N=237) reveals that the impact on personal life dimensions—healthy lifestyle, family bonding, and physical stress—does not differ across people within different demographics. However, impact on emotional well-being is sensitive to gender and industry groups. Family size is also an important demographic factor impacted upon personal life dimensions. Professional dimensions related to work productivity and adopting new ways of working does not differ across demographics except for occupational role. Dimensions related to new skill development and change in professional attitude does differ across occupational roles. The study concludes by stating future research directions for mandatory work from home situation, and prescription to post-COVID-19 strategies for organizations.

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Benefits of Intergenerational Contact: Ageism, Subjective Well-Being, and Psychosocial Developmental Strengths of Wisdom and Identity

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.1177/00914150211050881 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009141502110508

Author(s):

Patricia Kahlbaugh ◽

Christopher J. Budnick

Keyword(s):

Successful Aging ◽

Positive Mood ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Research Directions ◽

Identity Processes ◽

Future Research Directions ◽

Identity Synthesis

The present study examines the benefits of an in-person intergenerational contact program called SAGE (Successful Aging and Inter-Generational Experiences). The SAGE Program pairs older adults (M age 85 years) and younger adults (M age 23 years) for 2 to 3-hour weekly meetings over a 7-week period, where participants can share memories, skills, and values, and foster new perspectives and friendships. We expected the SAGE Program to benefit both older and younger participants with respect to identity processes, subjective well-being, positive mood, and wisdom while reducing ageist beliefs compared to old and young participants serving as their matched controls. Overall, participants in the SAGE Program reported greater identity synthesis,subjective well-being, and positive mood. Exploratory analyses suggested that identity synthesis is a likely mediator of that effect. The SAGE Program did not reduce ageist beliefs, but age differences in ageism were found. We address additional results,limitations, and future research directions.

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