MODELING THE DYNAMICS OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING (SWB) IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA: A STEPWISE APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF RELATIVE DEPRIVATION (RD)

Description

This study investigates the interplay between income, relative deprivation (RD), and subjective well-being (SWB) in China. Using a comprehensive dataset, we examine how income affects SWB directly and indirectly through RD. Our findings indicate that income has a positive effect on SWB, while RD acts as a mediator, dampening the relationship between income and SWB. Specifically, we find that RD plays a mediating role in both urban and rural groups, with rural residents being more sensitive to RD and less concerned with absolute income. The results have important implications for policymakers, suggesting that economic policies should focus on reducing income inequality and promoting social mobility to improve overall well-being.

Period	1 Jan 2024 → 11 Dec 2024