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Decoding the “Digital Code” of Happiness: Elaboration Based on Absolute Income and Relative Income

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  • Jingru Xiang

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Congying Zhang

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) plays an important role in improving and enhancing the well-being of Chinese farmers. This article constructs a theoretical analysis framework of “ICT→ income→farmers’ subjective well-being (SWB)” from the perspectives of relative income and absolute income. It adopts the ordered probit regression (Oprobit), conditional mixed process (CMP) joint estimation model, and micro survey data of apple farmers to analyze the impact of ICT on farmers’ SWB and the mediating effects of absolute income and relative income. The research findings reveal that both ICT access and ICT application significantly increase farmers’ SWB. After controlling for endogeneity, the positive effect of ICT on well-being remains robust. More specifically, regarding ICT access, each additional year of smartphone and internet usage increases farmers’ self-rated SWB by 10 points, corresponding to a 5.1% and 5.6% increase, respectively, in the probability of feeling “very happy”. Regarding ICT application, utilizing information derived from ICT raises farmers’ self-rated SWB by 10 points, resulting in a 23.0% increase in the probability of feeling “very happy”. The mechanism analysis further suggests that ICT access primarily enhances farmers’ SWB indirectly by increasing their absolute income, while ICT application enhances farmers’ SWB indirectly by increasing both their absolute income and relative income. Based on these findings, the policy implications of this study emphasize the importance of the “information to rural areas and households” project, which should focus on building a multi-subject information supply model involving the government, telecom operators, and farmers. The goal is to enhance farmers’ access to and utilization of information to promote their well-being, with specific attention to harnessing the positive effects of ICT and the indirect effects of both absolute and relative income.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingru Xiang & Congying Zhang, 2025. "Decoding the “Digital Code” of Happiness: Elaboration Based on Absolute Income and Relative Income," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 178(3), pages 1025-1052, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:178:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-024-03349-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-024-03349-0
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