Work

Views of a good life and allostatic load: Physiological correlates of theories of a good life depend on the socioeconomic context

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: This research examines the relationship between one's theory of a good life and allostatic load, a marker of cumulative biological risk, and how this relationship differs by socioeconomic status. Among adults with a bachelor's degree or higher, those who saw individual characteristics (e.g., personal happiness, effort) as part of a good life had lower levels of allostatic load than those who did not. In contrast, among adults with less than a bachelor's degree, those who saw supportive relationships as part of a good life had lower levels of allostatic load than those who did not. These findings extend past research on socioeconomic differences in the emphasis individual or relational factors and suggest that one's theory of a good life has health implications.

Source: Self and Identity

DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2016.1173090

Authors: Cynthia S. Levine, Alexandra Halleen Atkins, Hannah Benner Waldfogel, Edith Chen

Institution: Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute