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Why Do We Feel so Time Poor? A Daily Diary Study of Time Poverty and Well-Being

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  • Mengxi Dong

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University, Beijing Normal University)

  • Xiaomin Sun

    (National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University, Beijing Normal University)

Abstract

What makes one feel time poor? In a pre-registered seven-day daily diary study with 347 participants (2230 responses) who are employed in a diverse range of industries, we found that the length of discretionary time, time use intensity, time use fragmentation, the experience of flow, and autonomous motivation all predicted the subjective feeling of being time poor. Furthermore, in comparison to the lack of discretionary time (i.e., objective time poverty), subjective time poverty more strongly predicted both hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Both subjective and objective time poverty also show day-to-day fluctuations that predict fluctuations in well-being. These results suggest that the phenomenon of time poverty should be examined at higher resolutions, distinguishing between the objective and the subjective as well as the global level and the state level. Moreover, it might be time to move beyond focusing only on the general construct of time poverty and to examine the potential antecedents and mechanisms that lead to it.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengxi Dong & Xiaomin Sun, 2025. "Why Do We Feel so Time Poor? A Daily Diary Study of Time Poverty and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(6), pages 1-36, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:26:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-025-00944-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-025-00944-x
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