Life satisfaction: The role of domain-specific reference points.

ABSTRACT: In the evaluation of well-being, it is not only important what people have in absolute terms, but also how this compares to reference points in relative terms. We explore the relevance of relative comparisons by testing the effect of people's self-rated position on potential reference points for income and health on their subjective well-being. We used Multiple Discrepancies Theory as a framework to identify seven potentially relevant reference points for income and health. A representative sample (N = 550) of the Netherlands assessed their income and health relative to these reference points. In addition, we elicited monthly household income, health status (EQ-5D-5L), and subjective well-being (SWLS). In line with the literature, we found a negative convex relationship between subjective

SUBMITTER: Neumann-Bohme S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9291216 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature