Parenthood and determinants of subjective well-being in middle-aged adults

Abstract

This study examined differences in subjective well-being between parents and non-parents in middle age. An online survey was conducted with people from 45- to 60- years of age (N = 558). The subjective well-being scores were not significantly different between the above two groups. Multi-regression analysis suggested that the determinants affecting participants varied according to their gender and the presence of child. While bilateral activities as a married couple influenced their subjective well-beings, other influential factors included household income, social activities for women with a child, the involvement with future generation in childless women, and household income in men, regardless of parental status. The results for women suggest that generativity might play a key role in subjective well-being of the middle-aged women with no children as well as those with a child.