What is Subjective Well-Being?
Psychologists have been studying subjective well-being (SWB) for decades, but mostly in developed countries, especially the United States. However, there is little information of SWB in developing countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa. There is an increasing studies showing that that material goods do not necessarily increase or cause happiness. A study conducted from Brickman, Coates and Janoff-Bulman (1978) shows that lottery winners were not significantly happier than the control group (sample that lived approximately in the same area of the city as the lottery winners) and it showed that increase in income did not cause a change in the happiness of lottery winners. This notion of well-being exceeding material …show more content…
Results of the study showed that ethnicity is an important determinant of actual and perceived well-being at the micro-level. Ethnicity had both positive and negative influence on well-being. The study found significant relationship between ethnicity and perceived well being of the ethnic groups. However, there was no significant relations between ethnicity and actual well-being For ethnicities like Akans, Ga-Adanges and Ewe that lives in a rural place, there is a negative relationship, where ethnicity predicts lower levels of economic well-being, whereas for the Akans who lives in rural areas, the negative effect is minimized. The study also mentioned the influence of education and religion on …show more content…
First, there is a drastic increase in religiosity or religious revival. (Talk about the rise of Pentecostalism and other religions) Second, over 50% of all health care and a huge portion of education in the country are provided by faith institutions (Ghana Statistical Service 2007). Therefore, religious institutions have a vast presence in practically every part of Ghana. “The belief of a Supreme being as a comforter of all times is emphasized strongly in all religions in Ghana.” (R&SWB in Ghana) Therefore, religion has an influence on SWB. SWB in the Ghanaian society cannot be disassociated from their
Psychologists have been studying subjective well-being (SWB) for decades, but mostly in developed countries, especially the United States. However, there is little information of SWB in developing countries, especially Sub-Saharan Africa. There is an increasing studies showing that that material goods do not necessarily increase or cause happiness. A study conducted from Brickman, Coates and Janoff-Bulman (1978) shows that lottery winners were not significantly happier than the control group (sample that lived approximately in the same area of the city as the lottery winners) and it showed that increase in income did not cause a change in the happiness of lottery winners. This notion of well-being exceeding material …show more content…
Results of the study showed that ethnicity is an important determinant of actual and perceived well-being at the micro-level. Ethnicity had both positive and negative influence on well-being. The study found significant relationship between ethnicity and perceived well being of the ethnic groups. However, there was no significant relations between ethnicity and actual well-being For ethnicities like Akans, Ga-Adanges and Ewe that lives in a rural place, there is a negative relationship, where ethnicity predicts lower levels of economic well-being, whereas for the Akans who lives in rural areas, the negative effect is minimized. The study also mentioned the influence of education and religion on …show more content…
First, there is a drastic increase in religiosity or religious revival. (Talk about the rise of Pentecostalism and other religions) Second, over 50% of all health care and a huge portion of education in the country are provided by faith institutions (Ghana Statistical Service 2007). Therefore, religious institutions have a vast presence in practically every part of Ghana. “The belief of a Supreme being as a comforter of all times is emphasized strongly in all religions in Ghana.” (R&SWB in Ghana) Therefore, religion has an influence on SWB. SWB in the Ghanaian society cannot be disassociated from their