Social Equity Perception and Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from China

Fan Yang (), Yadan Li (), Shaohua Zhu (), Yaling Luo (), Shuhan Yan () and Yao Jiang ()
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Fan Yang: Sichuan University
Yadan Li: Sichuan University
Shaohua Zhu: Sichuan University
Yaling Luo: Sichuan University
Shuhan Yan: Nankai University
Yao Jiang: Nankai University

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2025, vol. 26, issue 6, No 8, 24 pages

Abstract: Abstract Belief in social equity is not just a moral imperative; it is a crucial pillar supporting individual well-being. This study uses nationally representative survey data to examine the relationship between social equity perception and individual subjective well-being in China. The results indicate that social equity perception plays a significantly positive role in subjective well-being, especially for individuals with lower subjective socioeconomic status. The confounding summary of the mediating test reveals that social trust, future expectations, and prosocial behavior collectively explain 37.29% of the association between social equity perception and subjective well-being. Robustness analyses are conducted using sub-group regression, an IV-ordered probit estimation, and a plausible exogenous instrument estimation. Findings are consistent across various models and assumptions. Overall, the findings suggest that improving social equity perception is conducive to enhancing individual subjective well-being. This study highlights the need for and importance of fostering the perception of social equity among the public.

Keywords: Social equity perception; Subjective well-being; Social trust; Prosocial behavior; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-025-00920-5

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