Car-use, Satisfaction with Travel and Subjective Well-Being

• Abstract: Previous research demonstrates an impact on subjective well-being (SWB) of affect associated with routine performance of out-of-home activities. A primary aim of the present study is to investigate whether satisfaction with daily travel has a positive impact on SWB, either directly or indirectly through facilitating the performance of out-of-home activities. A secondary aim is to determine whether the use of the car results in higher satisfaction with daily travel than other travel modes, either for emotional and symbolic reasons or because performance of the activities is facilitated. A survey of a population-based sample of 1,330 Swedish citizens included measures of car access and use, satisfaction with daily travel, satisfaction with performance of out-of-home routine activities, and affective and cognitive SWB. The results confirmed that the effect on affective and cognitive SWB of satisfaction with daily travel is both direct and indirect via satisfaction with performance of activities. Percent weekly car use had a small effect on satisfaction with daily travel and on affective SWB, fully mediating the effect of satisfaction with performance of the activities. This speaks to that car use plays a minor role for satisfaction with daily travel and its effect on SWB. This role may be larger if measurements are made after an enforced reduced car use.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Daily travel

Car use

Satisfaction

Subjective Well-Being

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)