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Cross-Cultural Difference in Subjective Wellbeing: Cultural Response Bias as an Explanation

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  • Lufanna Lai
  • Robert Cummins
  • Anna Lau

Abstract

This study investigates whether the Australian-Chinese differences in subjective wellbeing (SWB) can be attributed to cultural response bias (CRB) caused by the influence of Chinese culture. Four samples are compared: Australians, first generation Chinese immigrants, second generation Chinese immigrants, and Hong Kong Chinese. It is hypothesized that the effects of CRB on means scores and variance will be the highest for Hong Kong Chinese, followed by Australian Chinese immigrants and second generation, and the lowest for Australians. These predictions were generally supported. Income is used as a covariate to test whether the predicted pattern of results remain unchanged. The result was affirmative. CRB is thus verified as contributing to the SWB difference between the Australians and Hong Kong Chinese. The implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Lufanna Lai & Robert Cummins & Anna Lau, 2013. "Cross-Cultural Difference in Subjective Wellbeing: Cultural Response Bias as an Explanation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 607-619, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:114:y:2013:i:2:p:607-619
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-012-0164-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Cummins, 2010. "Subjective Wellbeing, Homeostatically Protected Mood and Depression: A Synthesis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Robert Lane, 2000. "Diminishing Returns to Income, Companionship – and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 103-119, March.
    3. Robert Cummins & Helen Nistico, 2002. "Maintaining Life Satisfaction: The Role of Positive Cognitive Bias," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 37-69, March.
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    6. Jock Collins, 1992. "Immigrant Families in Australia," Working Paper Series 12, Finance Discipline Group, UTS Business School, University of Technology, Sydney.
    7. Zhenghui Chen & Gareth Davey, 2008. "Normative Life Satisfaction in Chinese Societies," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 89(3), pages 557-564, December.
    8. Orose Leelakulthanit & Ralph Day, 1993. "Cross cultural comparisons of quality of life of Thais and Americans," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 49-70, September.
    9. Luo Lu, 2001. "Understanding Happiness: A Look into the Chinese Folk Psychology," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 2(4), pages 407-432, December.
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