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Measuring relational factors underlying subjective happiness

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Abstract

Social attitudes and social values are among the socioeconomic factors that should always be considered in measurements of subjective happiness. This is an implication of the results of a path model of the structure underlying the influence of social capital, individual characteristics and the subjective judgment on personal economic conditions on subjective happiness. Generalised trust was found to be most significantly related to happiness. The regression coefficients of the model indicate that the strength of this relationship was comparable to that of other well-known determinants of happiness. These include demographics and economic conditions. Regarding the relationship among the social capital proxies, a positive relationship between civic-mindedness and generalised trust was observed. Conversely, parentally instilled cautious trust of others was found to have a negative relationship with trust.

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  1. Department for statistical production, Italian National Institute of Statistics, Via Cesare Balbo, 16, 00184, Rome, Italy

    Alessandra Righi

  2. Department of Economics and Management, University of Pisa, Via Ridolfi, 10, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Lucio Masserini

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  1. Alessandra Righi
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  2. Lucio Masserini
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AR and LM analysed and interpreted data, AR was a major contributor in writing para 2, 3, 4.1, 5.1, 6. LM was a major contributor in writing para 4.2, 4.3, 5.2. The authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alessandra Righi.

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Righi, A., Masserini, L. Measuring relational factors underlying subjective happiness. Curr Psychol 42, 9225–9236 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02208-2

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