Different Alternatives of Subjective Well‐Being: A Gender Analysis

• Published in: Social science quarterly 2018-12, Vol.99 (4), p.1303-1323
• Main Authors: Lera‐López, Fernando, Ollo‐López, Andrea, Sánchez‐Santos, José Manuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Females; Gender; Gender differences; Happiness; Job satisfaction; Labor market; Lifestyles; Males; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Sex differences; Social support; Unemployed people; Work environment; Working conditions
• ISSN: 0038-4941; 1540-6237
• DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12494

Objectives The objective of this article is to analyze the different roles played by key factors in individual subjective well‐being (SWB). Making a distinction between females and males, we consider the correlations of different characteristics of a healthy lifestyle, work environment, and social support with happiness in Spain. Methods Based on a sample of 10,821 Spanish people, we applied ordered probit models and consider the possibility of common method variance. Results The results show that some elements of healthy lifestyles, such as the intensity of physical activity (PA), level of self‐perceived health, and sleeping hours are positively associated with a higher level of happiness, with some differences between genders, particularly in terms of PA. We also detected significant differences between males and females in the potential associations between individual happiness and variables measuring the social support, job satisfaction, and time spent unemployed. Conclusions The conclusions emphasize the differences between genders in explaining individual happiness and the relevance of the healthy lifestyles, different circumstances of the labor market, and social support to account for happiness.