2021
Article
Journal of Positive Psychology

Leisure Beliefs and the Subjective Well-being of Nations

By: A.V. Whillans and Lucia Macchia

Format:Print

Abstract

Here, we construct a data set of 79 countries (N = 220,000) and explore whether differences in the prioritization of time (leisure) vs. money (work) explain cross-country differences in happiness. Consistent with our predictions, countries whose citizens value leisure more than work report higher subjective well-being at the country and individual level. These effects hold in high and low GDP countries. Critically, we find evidence for a novel mechanism: people who value leisure over work are less negatively impacted by financial instability. Moving beyond individual welfare, the value that nations place on leisure vs. work fundamentally shapes happiness.

Keywords

Leisure; Work; Subjective Well-being; Public Policy; Employment; Happiness; Governance; Policy

Citation

Whillans, A.V., and Lucia Macchia. "Leisure Beliefs and the Subjective Well-being of Nations." Journal of Positive Psychology 16, no. 2 (2021): 198–206. (Shared Authorship.)