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The Influence of Subjective Socioeconomic Status on Life Satisfaction: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Equity and Social Trust

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  • Zirong Ren

    (College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
    Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China)

  • Guoan Yue

    (College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
    Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China)

  • Weilong Xiao

    (College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
    Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China)

  • Qinghui Fan

    (Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia)

Abstract

Life satisfaction is significantly influenced by social capital, a key sociological term that links people to their social surroundings. Through a survey of 17,217 Chinese residents, this study investigated the probable processes of how subjective socioeconomic status affects life satisfaction within the framework of social capital. The results indicate that there is a positive correlation between subjective socioeconomic status and life satisfaction. Subjective socioeconomic status influences citizens’ life satisfaction not only through the independent mediating effects of perceived social equity and social trust, but also through the chain mediation of perceived social equity and social trust. This research advances our knowledge of the mechanisms behind the association between subjective socioeconomic status and life satisfaction. In improving citizens’ life satisfaction, we should not only provide sufficient subjective socioeconomic status to improve it, but also focus on the improvement of their social equity perceptions and social trust.

Suggested Citation

  • Zirong Ren & Guoan Yue & Weilong Xiao & Qinghui Fan, 2022. "The Influence of Subjective Socioeconomic Status on Life Satisfaction: The Chain Mediating Role of Social Equity and Social Trust," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15652-:d:983550
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