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Socio-demographic Correlates of Subjective Well-being in Urban India

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore subjective well-being (SWB) in an urban Indian sample. Adults (n = 1099) belonging to two wards in the city of Bangalore in South India, responded to a study-specific questionnaire. This paper is based on data generated as part of an ongoing larger study looking at correlates of SWB. Almost equal number of men and women responded to the study and their age ranged from 20 to 81 years (mean age 37 years). Majority of them were married, Hindus, from middle socio-economic status, had studied above pre-university level and more than half were earning. The mean scores on positive affect (40.9), negative affect (27.6) and life satisfaction (24) suggested above average levels of SWB. Higher age, being married, having higher education, higher income and working in a full time job seemed to improve life satisfaction and decrease negative affect. Religion was also significantly associated with negative affect. Step-wise regression analysis suggested that only education and income were important predictors of positive affect, while negative affect was better predicted by age, income, work status and religion. Life satisfaction was predicted by income, age and education. The important correlates of SWB for men and women were somewhat different. Overall, sociodemographic variables have minimal effect on SWB in urban India and research needs to explore other predictors of SWB.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge inputs from Ms. Sapthami, Ms. Seemanthini and Mr. Ravichandra, who helped in the data collection.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health and Social Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India

    Jyotsna Agrawal & Seema Mehrotra

  2. Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India

    Pratima Murthy, John P. John & V. Thippeswamy

  3. Department of Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India

    Mariamma Philip & K. Thennarasu

  4. Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India

    N. Girish

  5. School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Western Australia, Fremantle, Australia

    Mohan Isaac

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  1. Jyotsna Agrawal
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Correspondence to Pratima Murthy.

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Agrawal, J., Murthy, P., Philip, M. et al. Socio-demographic Correlates of Subjective Well-being in Urban India. Soc Indic Res 101, 419–434 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-010-9669-5

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