Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: This review aims to uncover how consistent the finding is that Asian Americans experience lower levels of subjective well-being than European Americans, and why these differences exist. Happiness is desired by many and increases in happiness have positive effects on health and well-being. Perceptions of happiness vary across cultures due to differences in values and cultural structures. Asian American subjective well-being is a particularly interesting area of study due to the finding that Asian Americans have the highest level of education and income compared to other ethnic groups in America, yet they tend to have lower levels of well-being. After totaling scores on the Satisfaction with Life Scale from 33 studies measuring Asian American, European American, and Asian populations, we found that Asian Americans score significantly lower on the Satisfaction with Life Scale than European Americans indicating lower subjective well-being. Asian American scores did not significantly differ from Asian scores on the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Differences in cultural values, acculturation, interpretations of positive and negative events, family dynamics, and discrimination are all contributors to why Asian Americans experience lower subjective well-being and these factors are discussed in depth. Implications, limitations, and future directions are also highlighted.
Author: Hannah R. Proctor
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3036485519