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Satisfaction with Family Life in South Africa: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

Author

Listed:
  • Ferdi Botha

    (Rhodes University
    University of Antwerp)

  • Frikkie Booysen

    (Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
    University of the Free State)

  • Edwin Wouters

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

This paper investigates the determinants of self-reported satisfaction with family life, applied to the South African context, with socioeconomic status (SES) as the main covariate and family functioning as the secondary covariate of interest. An individual-, household-, and subjective SES index is constructed via multiple correspondence analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multiple-group SEM (MGSEM) are used to analyse the role of SES in explaining satisfaction with family life. Higher levels of SES, especially household SES and subjective SES, are related to greater satisfaction with family life. Family functioning, in terms of better family flexibility, is associated with higher satisfaction with family life. The MGSEM results indicate that the role of family flexibility in explaining satisfaction with family life is similar across SES quartiles; family flexibility is an important predictor of family-life satisfaction, regardless of SES quartile.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferdi Botha & Frikkie Booysen & Edwin Wouters, 2018. "Satisfaction with Family Life in South Africa: The Role of Socioeconomic Status," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(8), pages 2339-2372, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:19:y:2018:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-017-9929-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9929-z
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    Cited by:

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    3. Bing Chen & Lijun Luo & Xin Wu & Yujie Chen & Yufang Zhao, 2021. "Are the Lower Class Really Unhappy? Social Class and Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents: Moderating Role of Sense of Control and Mediating Role of Self-Esteem," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 825-843, February.
    4. Berta Schnettler & Edgardo Miranda-Zapata & Ligia Orellana & Héctor Poblete & Germán Lobos & María Lapo & Cristian Adasme-Berríos, 2020. "Domain Satisfaction and Overall Life Satisfaction: Testing the Spillover-Crossover Model in Chilean Dual-Earner Couples," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-23, October.
    5. Ligia Orellana & Berta Schnettler & Edgardo Miranda-Zapata & Héctor Poblete & Germán Lobos & María Lapo & Cristian Adasme-Berríos, 2021. "Effects of Work-to-Family Conflict and Work Interference in the Parent-Child Relationship on Family Satisfaction of Dual-Earner Parents and their Adolescent Children," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(6), pages 2145-2169, December.
    6. Xuechen Leng & Jinfeng Han & Yingcan Zheng & Xiaoyong Hu & Hong Chen, 2021. "The Role of a “Happy Personality” in the Relationship of Subjective Social Status and Domain-Specific Satisfaction in China," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(4), pages 1733-1751, August.

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