Determinants of life satisfaction among Ghanaians aged 15 to 49 years: A further analysis of the 2017/2018 Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey

Abstract

The inclusion of life satisfaction in government policies as a tracker of the social and economic progress of citizens has been recommended. This has encouraged the scientific investigation of life satisfaction levels of people in tandem with factors responsible for these levels. Only a few studies have attempted to do this in Ghana with mixed findings. This study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction among Ghanaians in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. We analysed cross-sectional data from the 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (MICS 6). A sample of 20,059 women and men of ages ranging from 15 to 49 years participated in this study. The Cantril’s Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale was used to capture the life satisfaction of participants alongside relevant sociodemographic questions. About 35% of participants reported they were satisfied in life with males reporting more suffering levels [39.59%; 95% CI:36.38, 42.88] and females more thriving levels [36.41%; 95% CI:35.01, 37.84]. In the full sample multivariable model, gender, age, parity, education, marital status, wealth index, and region of residence were significantly associated with life satisfaction. Gender variations were also found across these associations. These findings collectively provide useful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimize interventions for the Ghanaian population aimed at improving life satisfaction. Evidence from this study also calls on the government of Ghana to begin tracking the life satisfaction of her citizens.

The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support on Mental Health and Life Satisfaction among Residents: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 8500 Subjects in Taian City, China

“…The results of statistical analysis showed that the differences in residents’ life satisfaction in terms of marital status, residence and employment status were statistically significant. These results are consistent with a study by Owusu Ansah et al [ 36 , 37 ]. Owusu Ansah, K. analyzed cross-sectional data, including a sample of 20,059 women and men of ages ranging from 15 to 49 years [ 36 ].…”

“…These results are consistent with a study by Owusu Ansah et al [ 36 , 37 ]. Owusu Ansah, K. analyzed cross-sectional data, including a sample of 20,059 women and men of ages ranging from 15 to 49 years [ 36 ]. In his study, marital status, wealth index, and region of residence were found to be significantly correlated with life satisfaction.…”

Determinants of life satisfaction among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional analysis

“…This finding contradicts the results of McIntyre et al [ 18 ] and Addai et al [ 34 ], who found that females who were never married were more satisfied than currently and formerly married women. However, our finding is consistent with the results of Owusu et al [ 16 ], Yaya et al [ 17 ] and Botha et al [ 35 ], who also found that married women have higher satisfaction than formerly married women. There may be a reason women previously married and never married undergo constant criticism and bullying from society, hence reduced satisfaction with life.…”

“…In developing countries, almost the same factors were significantly associated with life satisfaction. A study in Ghana showed a significant association between age, wealth index, gender, highest education level, marital status, type of residence, and marital status with life satisfaction [ 16 ]. Surprisingly, a study on Malawian people found no significant association between factors wealth index, education level with life satisfaction [ 17 ].…”

Revisiting the link between domain satisfaction and life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic: Job-related moderators in triadic analysis in dual-earner parents with adolescent children

“…In this line, more working hours in mothers have been linked to lower SWFoL in their adolescent children ( 71 ), and self-employed mothers and their adolescents children have reported better diet quality than employed mothers and their adolescents ( 28 ). During the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in adults' life satisfaction has been also associated with the city and region of residence, that is, the likelihood of experiencing decreased life satisfaction is higher for those living in a big city compared to those living in small cities or in rural areas ( 13 , 73 ). However, the moderating role of parent's job-related variables and place of residence on domain and life satisfaction for the individual and their family members remain scarcely explored.…”