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