Determinants of subjective well-being in representative samples of nations

Background: Maximising the happiness and life satisfaction [i.e. subjective well-being (SWB)] of citizens is a fundamental goal of international governmental organizations’ policies. In order to decide what policies should be pursued in order to improve SWB there is a need to identify what the key drivers of SWB are. However, to date most studies have been conducted in unrepresentative samples of largely ‘developed’ nations. Methods: Data from the latest World Value Survey (2010–14) and gathered 85 070 respondents from 59 countries (Age 16–99 years, Mean = 42, SD = 16.54; 52.29% females) were pooled for the analysis. A cross-sectional multilevel random effects model was performed where respondents were nested by country. Results: The average levels of SWB varied across countries and geographical regions. Among the lowest 10 SWB countries are nations from: Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union and Middle East and North Africa. Factors driving SWB include state of health, financial satisfaction, freedom of choice, GDP per capita, income scale, importance of friends, leisure, being females, weekly religious attendance, unemployment and income inequality. Nevertheless, according to Cohen’s rules of thumb, most of these factors have ‘small’ effect sizes. Thus, the main factors that possibly will improve the SWB of people across the globe are: state of health, household’s financial satisfaction and freedom of choice. Conclusions: To maximize the well-being of the population, policy makers may focus on health status, household’s financial satisfaction and emancipative values. The levels of prosperity and political stability appear to positively improve the SWB of people

The recovery process and access to social capital of people with severe mental health problems: secondary analysis of a six-month follow-up study in England.

Background: Many developed nations have made recovery-oriented practice a central part of their mental health policy, though less is known about whether mental health outpatients, access to social capital can improve their recovery process. Aims: This study investigates the relationship between the recovery process and access to social capital for people with severe mental health conditions. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a six-month follow-up study. Service users were recruited from five Community Mental Health Teams in England and interviewed at baseline (n=151) and six-month follow-up (n=127). The recovery process was assessed using the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery (QPR). All statistical analyses (Pearson's correlations and multiple regression) were conducted at two different points in time (p< 0.05). Results: The participants' experience of recovery increased slightly from baseline (M=45.2, SD=12.18) to six-month follow-up (M=49.72, SD=12.52), which is indicative of recovery. At follow-up, their access to social capital was positively associated with service users' experience of recovery (B=0.40 p Conclusions: This study supports the idea that the experience of recovery can be measured and should be defined by service users. People with higher mental well-being scores and more social connections had a better experience of recovery. This study is a contribution to the international endorsement of recovery-oriented practice which focuses on developing a person-centred rather than a clinician-centred model of recovery for people with severe mental health conditions

Income Inequality and Subjective Well-Being : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Reducing income inequality is one possible approach used by some governments to boost subjective well-being (SWB). Nevertheless, previous studies have reported positive, null and negative associations between income inequality and SWB. Objectives: This study reports the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between income inequality and SWB, and seeks to understand the heterogeneity in the literature. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to guidance (PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook) and searches (between January 1980 and October 2017) were carried out using Web of Science, Medline, Embase and PsycInfo databases. Results: 39 studies were included in the review, but poor data reporting quality meant that only 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The narrative analysis of 39 studies found negative, positive and null associations between income inequality and SWB. The meta-analysis confirmed these findings. The overall association between income inequality and SWB was almost zero and not statistically significant (pooled r = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.08 to 0.06; Q = 563.10, I² = 95.74 %, p < 0.001), suggesting no association between income inequality and SWB. Subgroup analyses showed that the association between income inequality and SWB was moderated by the country economic development (i.e., developed countries: r = -0.06, 95% CI = -0.10 to -0.02 versus developing countries: r = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.23). The association between income inequality and SWB was not influenced by: (a) the measure used to assess SWB, (b) geographic region, or (c) the way income inequality was operationalised. Conclusions: The association between income inequality and SWB is complex and moderated by the country economic development

How closely related are financial satisfaction and subjective well-being? Systematic review and meta-analysis

Financial satisfaction is considered one of the determinants of Subjective well-being (SWB), yet the assumption that financial satisfaction is closely associated with SWB has not been tested across nations. This first systematic review and meta-analysis examined the association between financial satisfaction and SWB and to test whether any association is affected by key operational and methodological factors. Following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines, a systematic (Web of Science, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Google scholar) search was conducted (January 1980–August 2019). Meta-analyses, meta-regressions and subgroup analysis using random-effects models were performed. 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis and the overall association between financial satisfaction and SWB was medium, significant and positive (pooled r = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.38–0.44; Q = 7108, I2 = 99.7%, p < 0.001). Univariate meta-regressions showed that studies conducted in countries that were more developed (B = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.24, I2 = 79%, R2 = 51%), and had used multiple items (B = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.18, I2 = 72%, R2 = 30%) instead of single were significantly associated with better financial satisfaction and greater SWB. Our findings highlight the need for designing better tools to measure these core societal concepts; to improve financial satisfaction and hence SWB across the globe

Causes and Consequences of School Dropout in Kinshasa : Students’ Perspectives before and after Dropping out

Background: The question of students dropping out of school is one of the barriers to improving educational outcomes in low-income countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So far, fewer studies have looked at students' viewpoints to understand their motivation when it comes to school dropouts. Aims: This study is the first to explore the causes and consequences of school dropout in Kinshasa. Methods: Primary data was collected amongst people who dropped out of school before they had completed their secondary education in Kinshasa in the DRC. One hundred fifty participants were recruited from local communities by using a convenience sample. A descriptive data analysis was conducted to understand the main reasons behind and the impact of school dropout in Kinshasa. Results: Most participants (both genders: 32,6 %, males: 29.4%, and females: 35,4 %) said that they were responsible for dropping out of school. For both genders, several reasons for dropping out were reported: Peer influence (11.3%), Death of parent (10%), Academic failure (10%), Teacher's or other students' behaviours (10%), Economic reasons (9.3%), Health reasons (8.6%). For females, unwanted pregnancy, rape, or early marriage (8%), and males, being involved in sport and music (17.6%). Conclusions and recommendations: The DRC government should encourage vocational education and training to reduce school dropout rates. Vocational education and training may give chance to some students who are not willing or having enough income to pursue academic education and may help those who like to learn practical skills for a quick entry into employment. More needs to be done to reduce school dropout in DR Congo and further research should focus on how to support those who are vulnerable

Are men’s happiness and life satisfaction linked to why men die earlier than women? A panel study from 1981 to 2020 in 102 countries.

The motivation for happiness research rather than GDP is becoming important to the role of many governments across the globe. When people are asked to list the key characteristics of a good life, they are more likely to include happiness, health, living well and longer. This study investigates whether factors that predict men’s happiness and life satisfaction explain why men die earlier than women. The present research analyses data (N=426,452; 51.90% females) collected by the World Value Survey from 1981 to 2020 in 102 countries, and from six continents. A multilevel random-effects regression analysis was conducted in which individuals were nested by countries. We investigated variations across nations, country-level of development, and geographical regions. Men were slightly less happy and less satisfied with their lives compared to women. State of health, household’s financial satisfaction, freedom of choice, family importance, and being married were positively associated with happiness/life satisfaction. In contrast, being men, being in a low-income household, or being unemployed were negatively associated with happiness/life satisfaction. Unemployed men and men who were living in Africa or the Middle East regions were less satisfied with their lives compared to women. The excess mortality burden on men is due to a mix of biological, behavioural, and social factors. Happy people may live longer because of the underlying factors such as health status, household financial satisfaction, and social connections. Policies targeting men’s health and social connections are needed

Are COVID-19’srestrictive measures associated with people’s quality of life and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Background: The spread of the COVID-19 and the economic consequences due to several restrictive measures have increased misery and caused panic, fear, and anxiety among Congolese people. So far, no study has investigated the impact COVID-19’s restrictive measures had on Congolese quality of life. Aims: This study investigates whether COVID-19’s restrictive measures are associated with people’s quality of life and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Kinshasa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 17 municipalities in Kinshasa. Adults aged 18 and over were recruited; N=100 (41 females, 58 males & 1 prefer not). Several measures were used: Social Contacts Assessment (SCA), Time Use Survey (TUS), Manchester Short Assessment of quality of life (MANSA), Health status EQ-5D-3L, UCLA Loneliness Scale; Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and COVID-19 related questions. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results: The depression and anxiety scores (PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were 9.1 (SD= 6.8) and 8.5 (SD= 6.1) respectively) seem to be higher. The quality of life was negatively linked with people who were living alone (B= -0.35, p= 0.05), and those who said that their mental health got worse due to COVID-19 (B= -0.30, p= 0.04). The quality of life was positively associated with those who describe themselves as less lonely (B= 0.34, p= 0.03). Conclusion: Living alone is linked with poor quality of life. This study addresses the gap in public health literature in the DRC and low- and middle-income countries

Are Happiness and Life Satisfaction Different Across Religious groups? Exploring Determinants of Happiness and Life Satisfaction

This study explores whether different religions experience different levels of happiness and life satisfaction and in case this is affected by country economic and cultural environment. Using World Value Survey (from 1981 to 2014), this study found that individual religiosity and country level of development play a significant role in shaping people’s subjective well-being (SWB). Protestants, Buddhists and Roman Catholic were happier and most satisfied with their lives compared to other religious groups. Orthodox has the lowest SWB. Health status, household’s financial satisfaction and freedom of choice are means by which religious groups and governments across the globe can improve the SWB of their citizens. Keywords: happiness; life satisfaction; religion; religious differences; cultur