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Socioeconomic status and subjective well-being: The mediating role of class identity and social activities

Author

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  • Baoqin Wang
  • Hang Zhao
  • Hao Shen
  • Yi Jiang

Abstract

Background: Subjective well-being has a significant impact on an individual’s physical and mental health. Socioeconomic status, class identity, and social activity participation play important roles in subjective well-being. Therefore, the aim of this study was to uncover the mechanisms through which these factors influence subjective well-being. Methods: A total of 1926 valid samples were recruited using the Chinese General Social Survey 2021 (CGSS 2021). The Chinese Citizen’s Subjective Well-Being Scale (SWBS-CC) was employed to assess subjective well-being. Socioeconomic status was measured using income and education, and class identity and social activity participation were measured using Likert scales. Pearson correlation analysis and the chain mediation model were conducted to explore the relationship between these factors. Finally, the Bootstrap method was used to examine the path coefficients. Results: A significant correlation was found between socioeconomic status, class identity, social activity, and subjective well-being (p

Suggested Citation

  • Baoqin Wang & Hang Zhao & Hao Shen & Yi Jiang, 2023. "Socioeconomic status and subjective well-being: The mediating role of class identity and social activities," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0291325
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linda K. George, 2010. "Still Happy After All These Years: Research Frontiers on Subjective Well-being in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(3), pages 331-339.
    2. Hania Wu & Tony Tam, 2015. "Economic Development and Socioeconomic Inequality of Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Time-Series Analysis of Urban China, 2003–2011," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 124(2), pages 401-425, November.
    3. Paul, Satya & Guilbert, Daniel, 2013. "Income–happiness paradox in Australia: Testing the theories of adaptation and social comparison," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 900-910.
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    1. Filip Fors Connolly & Arvid Lindh, 2025. "Socioeconomic Status, Need Fulfillment, and Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(6), pages 1-22, August.

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