Relative Income and Wellbeing in Canada

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 24 Sayı: 1, 475 - 490, 29.01.2025

Mustafa Özer

https://doi.org/10.17755/esosder.1506067

Öz

This study examines the impact of relative income on wellbeing in Canada, drawing on data from the seventh round of the World Values Survey. The analysis distinguishes between emerging adults (ages 18-25) and mature adults (ages 26-45), evaluating the effects of relative income while controlling for various demographic, socioeconomic, and subjective factors. The covariates include age, low/middle education, and marital status, number of children, employment status, immigrant status, rural residence, religiosity, physical health, financial troubles, scepticism, and happiness levels. The findings indicate that relative income significantly influences wellbeing for both males and females, even after accounting for these factors. Gender-specific differentiations are seen, particularly in the influence of education, marital status, and employment. The interaction analysis shows that the effect of relative income on wellbeing is consistent across different age cohorts. These results highlight the importance of relative income as a key determinant of wellbeing and suggest that policies aimed at reducing income inequality could enhance overall life satisfaction across diverse demographic groups.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Relative Income, Wellbeing, Canada

Kanada'da Göreceli Gelir ve İyi Oluş

Öz

Bu çalışma, Kanada'daki görece gelirin refah üzerindeki etkisini, Dünya Değerler Araştırması'nın yedinci dalgasından elde edilen verileri kullanarak incelemektedir. Analiz, genç yetişkinler (18-25 yaş) ve olgun yetişkinler (26-45 yaş) arasında ayrım yaparak, çeşitli demografik, sosyoekonomik ve öznel faktörleri kontrol ederek görece gelirin etkilerini değerlendirmektedir. Kontrol değişkenleri yaş, düşük/orta eğitim seviyesi, medeni durum, çocuk sayısı, istihdam durumu, göçmenlik durumu, kırsal kesimde yaşama, dindarlık, fiziksel sağlık, finansal sıkıntılar, şüphecilik ve mutluluk seviyelerini içermektedir. Bulgular, görece gelirin hem erkekler hem de kadınlar için, bu faktörler dikkate alındıktan sonra bile refah üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Cinsiyete özgü farklılıklar, özellikle eğitim, medeni durum ve istihdamın etkilerinde gözlenmiştir. Etkileşim analizi, görece gelirin refah üzerindeki etkisinin farklı yaş gruplarında tutarlı olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu sonuçlar, görece gelirin refahın ana belirleyicilerinden biri olduğunu vurgulamakta ve gelir eşitsizliğini azaltmayı amaçlayan politikaların, çeşitli demografik gruplar arasında genel yaşam memnuniyetini artırabileceğini önermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Göreceli Gelir, İyi Oluş, Kanada

Etik Beyan

Çalışmada ikincil veri kullanıldığı için etik kurul izin belgesine gerek yoktur.

Kaynakça

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