scholarly journals Income Redistribution Predicts Greater Life Satisfaction Across Individual, National, and Cultural Characteristics.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Income Redistribution ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Strong Hypothesis ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Over Time

The widening income gap between the rich and the poor has important social implications. Governmental-level income redistribution through tax and welfare policies presents an opportunity to reduce income inequality and its negative consequences. The current longitudinal studies examined whether within-region changes in income redistribution over time relate to life satisfaction. Moreover, I examined potential moderators of this relationship to test the strong versus weak hypotheses of income redistribution. The strong hypothesis posits that income redistribution is beneficial to most. The weak hypothesis posits that income redistribution is beneficial to some and damaging to others. Using a nationally representative sample of 57,932 German respondents from 16 German states across 30 years (Study 1) and a sample of 112,876 respondents from 33 countries across 24 years (Study 2), I found that within-state and within-nation changes in income redistribution over time were associated with life satisfaction. The models predicted that a 10% reduction in Gini through income redistribution in Germany increased life satisfaction to the same extent as an 37% increase in annual income (Study 1), and a 5% reduction in Gini through income redistribution increased life satisfaction to the same extent as a 11% increase in GDP (Study 2). These associations were positive across individual, national, and cultural characteristics. Increases in income redistribution predicted greater satisfaction for tax-payers and welfare-receivers, for liberals and conservatives, and for the poor and the rich. These findings support the strong hypothesis of income redistribution and suggest that redistribution policies may play an important role in societal well-being.

scholarly journals Time trends in adolescent mental well-being in Czechia between 2002 and 2018: Gender, age and socio-economic differences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Cosma ◽  
András Költő ◽  
Petr Badura ◽  
Petr Winkler ◽  
Michal Kalman
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Time Trends ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background: Recent literature points to a decline over time in adolescent mental well-being but results are inconsistent and rely mainly on data from Western societies. This study investigates time trends in adolescent mental well-being (psychological and somatic complaints, life satisfaction) among Czech adolescents and explores whether these time trends are moderated by gender, age and socio-economic status. Methods: Nationally representative data from 29,378 Czech adolescents (50.8% girls, M age = 13.43; SD age = 1.65) across five Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) surveys (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018) were included in the analyses. Hierarchical regression models estimated national trends in adolescent mental well-being. We also tested whether these trends vary between girls and boys, adolescents of different age and from different socio-economic backgrounds. Results: Across the quadrennial surveys from 2002 to 2018, an increase in the psychological complaints was observed. Life satisfaction decreased over time up to 2014 only, whereas somatic symptoms increased until 2010, followed by a decline in 2014 and 2018. Girls, older adolescents and those from low family affluence reported poorer mental well-being outcomes. Gender gap increased over time for psychological complaints and life satisfaction. Socio-economic inequalities gap in adolescent mental well-being remained stable over the investigated timeframe. Conclusions: Our findings do not provide evidence for substantial temporal changes in mental well-being among adolescents in Czechia. Yet, only the increase in psychological complaints has been consistent which is an indicator of a decline over time in adolescent mental well-being. Furthermore, the gender gap in reporting psychological complaints and life satisfaction increased over time, whereas the age and socio-economic differences remained relatively stable. This calls for the attention of public health professionals and policy makers from Czechia. Keywords: Adolescence; mental health; mental well-being; well-being; gender; trends; age; socio-economic status; HBSC

Rank Status and Happiness in India: A Panel Ordered Probit Estimation of the Effect of Ordinal Relative Comparison on Well-being

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Lakshmanasamy ◽  
K. Maya
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ordered Probit ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Comparison Income ◽  
Average Reference ◽  
The Rich

Most often the social comparison or relative income hypothesis has been used as an explanation for the lack of systematic relationship between income and happiness, using the ordered probit regression method. The identification of relevant reference group and the estimation of the differential effects of comparison income have been controversial. To overcome these twin issues, this paper uses an ordinal comparison income approach based on rich/poor dichotomy and rank income. The rank income of an individual is defined as his relative position in the income distribution within the reference group and the average income of the reference group is used to define the rich/poor classification. The differential effects of ordinal incomes across life satisfaction distribution is estimated by the panel fixed effects ordered profit regression model using the WVS data for India. The estimated results show that ordinal income comparison, rather than cardinal average reference income, is a better predictor of life satisfaction levels. Raising income level is relatively important for less satisfied people while increasing rank status is important for highly satisfied people in India.

Social Programs, Third-Sector Competition, and Transparency

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Chim Richard Wong
Keyword(s):  
Public Debt ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Income Redistribution ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Social Programs ◽  
The West ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Public Transfers ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Rich Countries

Why have the welfare states of the rich countries of the West, which transfer on average nearly a quarter of GDP from the rich to the poor, failed to alleviate poverty? And why has inequality widened in recent decades in these countries? The liberals in these countries—intellectuals and politicians—continue to argue for more public transfers. But if income redistribution could solve poverty, should it not have done so by now? The illusion that poverty can be solved through income redistribution is the key reason why so many rich economies have become saddled with public debt: in some countries it approaches 100% and even 200% of GDP.

scholarly journals The influence of daily spiritual experiences and gender on subjective well-being over time in cancer survivors

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
Myriam Rudaz ◽  
Thomas Ledermann ◽  
Joseph G. Grzywacz
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Spiritual Experiences ◽  
Daily Spiritual Experiences ◽  
Over Time

Cancer survivors are at risk for poor subjective well-being, but the potential beneficial effect of daily spiritual experiences is unknown. Using data from the second and third wave of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, we examined the extent to which daily spiritual experiences at baseline moderate the association between subjective well-being at baseline and approximately 10 years later in cancer survivors ( n = 288). Regression analyses, controlled for age, educational attainment, and religious/spiritual coping, showed that daily spiritual experiences moderated the association between life satisfaction at baseline and follow-up. Specifically, high spiritual experiences enhanced life satisfaction over time in cancer survivors with low life satisfaction at baseline. Also, daily spiritual experiences moderated the association between positive affect at baseline and follow-up, though this moderating effect was different for women and men. No moderating effect emerged for negative affect.

scholarly journals LIFE AFTER 100: IS GOD THE SECRET TO A SATISFYING AND PURPOSEFUL LIFE?

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S524-S525
Author(s):  
Nadia Firdauysa ◽  
Jyoti Bhatta ◽  
Alex J Bishop ◽  
Tanya Finchum ◽  
James Grice
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Ordinal Analysis ◽  
C Value ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Data from N = 111 centenarians (M = 100.88; SD = 1.48) residing in Oklahoma was used to examine patterns in the relationship between the God oriented vs. non-God oriented longevity secrets and subjective well-being. Observational Oriented Modeling (OOM) was then used to conduct an ordinal analysis using concatenated ordering to produce degree of fitness between data and underlying patterns in life satisfaction and purpose-in-life across three time points. OOM is a data analysis method used to evaluate fitness of proposed patterns to data called PCC. Results indicated that centenarians maintaining a God-oriented longevity secret fit a decreased pattern in life satisfaction (PCC = 25.00, c-value = .09); whereas centenarians not maintaining a God-oriented longevity secret fit the same pattern (PCC = 49.18, c-value = .06). Meanwhile, centenarians having a God-oriented longevity secret fit a decreased pattern of purpose-in-life (PCC = 71.43, c-value =.12); whereas centenarians having a non-God oriented longevity secret fit the same pattern (PCC = 53.45, c-value = .28). In comparison to centenarians who acknowledged something other than God as the secret to their longevity, those who cite God as the reason for longevity tend to proportionately maintain a more satisfying view of life, yet experience a deteriorating sense of purpose over time. Results indicate that longevity secrets reflect divergent patterns in subjective well-being among persons living beyond 100 years. This has implications relative to how geriatric practitioners design interventions, services, or programs to enhance quality-of-life for long-lived adults.

scholarly journals “Development in well-being and social function among Danish hemophilia patients with HIV: a three-wave panel study spanning 24 years”

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie B. Ingvorsen ◽  
Christina Schnohr ◽  
Terkel Andersen ◽  
Lars Lehrmann ◽  
Eva Funding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Function ◽  
Severe Hemophilia ◽  
Psychosomatic Symptoms ◽  
Danish Health ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Matched Comparison ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Between 1975 and 1985 a total of 91 Danish patients with moderate and severe hemophilia (PWH) was infected with HIV constituting a major scandal in the Danish health care system. This study describes the burden of HIV infection among Danish PWH by evaluating changes from 1988 to 2012 in well-being, social function, experiencing stigma and openness about disease among Danish HIV+ PWH. Methods Three anonymous surveys were conducted in 1988, 2001 and 2012 targeting all Danish patients with moderate to severe hemophilia. Survey responses were received from 53, 21 and 18 HIV+ PWH respectively. A matched comparison sample of HIV− PWH was identified for each survey-year, using propensity score matching. Differences for each survey-year and trends over time were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. Results In 1988, HIV+ PWH had more psychosomatic symptoms than HIV− PWH, but in 2001 life satisfaction was higher among HIV+ PWH than among HIV− PWH. Tests of differences in trend over time showed larger improvements in life satisfaction among HIV+ PWH than HIV− PWH, while HIV− PWH showed an increase in educational level compared to HIV+ PWH. Analysis restricted to HIV+ PWH showed an increase in perceived stigmatization. Conclusions Differences between Danish HIV+ and HIV− PWH regarding well-being and psychosomatic symptoms seem to have evened out between 1988 and 2012. However, results suggest that HIV+ PWH still experience stigmatization and lower levels of education.

Vocational Identity Trajectories: Differences in Personality and Development of Well–Being

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Hirschi
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vocational Identity ◽  
Relative Increase ◽  
Identity Status ◽  
Status Change ◽  
Identity Statuses ◽  
Over Time

This person–centred study investigated the longitudinal patterns of vocational identity development in relation to personality, the development of well–being, gender, nationality and the attended school track among two cohorts of Swiss adolescents in 8th or 9th grade ( N = 269) and in 11th or 12th grade ( N = 230). The results confirmed the existence of four identity statuses, namely, achievement, foreclosure, moratorium and diffusion. Forty–two per cent of students showed progressive patterns of identity development, while 37% remained in their identity status over time. Students with different statuses and status change patterns differed significantly in their personality traits. Higher neuroticism related to the emergence of identity exploration over time, while conscientiousness related to maintaining or achieving a sense of identity commitment in terms of achievement or foreclosure. Controlling for the effects of socio–demographics and personality traits, students who reached or maintained a state characterized by identity clarity and commitment showed a relative increase in life satisfaction, while those entering a state of identity crisis or exploration showed a decrease in life satisfaction. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Income Inequality, Life Satisfaction, and Economic Worries

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Roth ◽  
Elisabeth Hahn ◽  
Frank M. Spinath
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
National Level ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Income Disparity ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Rich

We analyzed the effect of income inequality on Germans’ life satisfaction considering factors explaining the mechanism of this relationship. Based on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study for the years 1984 to 2012, we found a negative relationship between national-level income disparity and average life satisfaction, meaning that people felt happier in years with lower inequality. The effect was completely mediated by economic worries, which increased with rising inequality and in turn reduced people’s satisfaction. However, people’s reaction to inequality depended on their income level: Considering the direct effect of inequality, higher income disparity was clearly detrimental only for the poor and the middle class. Moreover, we found a significant mediation through economic worries for the middle class but not for the poor. The rich showed a more complex pattern of interrelations with both, positive and negative effects of inequality when controlling for economic worries.

scholarly journals The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruta Clair ◽  
Maya Gordon ◽  
Matthew Kroon ◽  
Carolyn Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic placed many locations under ‘stay at home” orders and adults simultaneously underwent a form of social isolation that is unprecedented in the modern world. Perceived social isolation can have a significant effect on health and well-being. Further, one can live with others and still experience perceived social isolation. However, there is limited research on psychological well-being during a pandemic. In addition, much of the research is limited to older adult samples. This study examined the effects of perceived social isolation in adults across the age span. Specifically, this study documented the prevalence of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the various factors that contribute to individuals of all ages feeling more or less isolated while they are required to maintain physical distancing for an extended period of time. Survey data was collected from 309 adults who ranged in age from 18 to 84. The measure consisted of a 42 item survey from the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, Measures of Social Isolation (Zavaleta et al., 2017), and items specifically about the pandemic and demographics. Items included both Likert scale items and open-ended questions. A “snowball” data collection process was used to build the sample. While the entire sample reported at least some perceived social isolation, young adults reported the highest levels of isolation, χ2(2) = 27.36, p < 0.001. Perceived social isolation was associated with poor life satisfaction across all domains, as well as work-related stress, and lower trust of institutions. Higher levels of substance use as a coping strategy was also related to higher perceived social isolation. Respondents reporting higher levels of subjective personal risk for COVID-19 also reported higher perceived social isolation. The experience of perceived social isolation has significant negative consequences related to psychological well-being.

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