An analysis of subjective well-being in China

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dc.check.date2027-12-31
dc.check.infoControlled Access
dc.contributor.advisorMurphy, Rosemary
dc.contributor.advisorWalsh, Edel
dc.contributor.authorFeng, Ruixueen
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-01T14:54:29Z
dc.date.available2024-10-01T14:54:29Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.date.submitted2024
dc.descriptionControlled Access
dc.description.abstractSubjective well-being measures an individual's quality of life based on their own evaluation (Anusic et al., 2017). The importance of subjective well-being as a measure of individual and societal progress is increasingly recognised, leading to a rise in research on the topic (Knight et al., 2009). Cheng and Mishra et al. (2017) state that studying subjective well-being in China enhances the understanding of China's economy and society, and also helps to develop and extend existing theories of subjective well-being. This thesis aims to explore the factors associated with subjective well-being in China, where happiness is the measure of the concept of subjective well-being. The data used for this study is from the 2015 Chinese General Social Survey. To achieve this, the estimation models of subjective well-being are developed and the relationship between income inequality and subjective well-being is further analysed. Chapter 1 introduces the overall structure of the thesis, including the rationale, relevant background literature, data description, and analysis techniques. Chapter 2 reviews previous literature on subjective well-being definitions and theories and describes the relationships between key factors and subjective well-being. Chapter 3 presents the analytical techniques used in this thesis. Chapter 4 describes the data used in this thesis, which is based on data from the 2015 Chinese General Social Survey. Chapter 5 analyses the factors associated with subjective well-being by applying the ordered probit model. Chapter 6 explores the factors associated with subjective well-being by implementing semi-nonparametric techniques to estimate the model of subjective well-being. In Chapter 7, the positive correlations between income inequality and subjective well-being in China are assessed and the mediating effect of relative income is investigated. The thesis employs ordered probit and semi-parametric techniques to investigate the correlation between various factors and subjective well-being in China. The analysis provides a number of findings: Firstly, age, religion, political status, health status, income, marital status, and social fairness are all positively associated with subjective well-being. Additionally, achieving education above the second level is positively correlated with higher levels of subjective well-being. A high frequency of social interactions and having a resident account (hukou account) are also associated with higher subjective well-being level. Conversely, employment in non-agricultural or agricultural sectors is found to have a negative impact on subjective well-being. Additionally, women report higher levels of subjective well-being than men. In addition to the above findings, the thesis highlights a significant relationship between income inequality and subjective well-being in China. It also confirms the mediating role of relative incomes in the relationship between income inequality and subjective well-being. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors associated with subjective well-being and point to aspects that can be taken into account in promoting the overall societal well-being. Economic literature suggests that an analysis of the factors associated with an individual's subjective well-being is necessary as it helps policymakers to increase the level of well-being of citizens, which is one of their goals (Dolan and White, 2007). This thesis uses a complex econometric approach to analyse and present these factors and possible explanations. Furthermore, the thesis analyses the relationship between income inequality and subjective well-being. Finally, the findings presented in this thesis can be used to provide potential policy recommendations for the implementation of the promotion of general social well-being in Chinaen
dc.description.statusNot peer revieweden
dc.description.versionAccepted Versionen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.citationFeng, R. 2024. An analysis of subjective well-being in China. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.
dc.identifier.endpage338
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/16476
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherUniversity College Corken
dc.rights© 2024, Ruixue Feng.
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectSubjective well-being
dc.subjectHappiness
dc.subjectEconomics
dc.subjectIncome inequality
dc.subjectRelative income
dc.subjectChinese General Social Survey (CGSS)
dc.titleAn analysis of subjective well-being in China
dc.typeDoctoral thesisen
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoralen
dc.type.qualificationnamePhD - Doctor of Philosophyen
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