Mattering Mediates Between Fairness and Well-being

Abstract

Research has suggested a fundamental connection between fairness and well-being at the individual, relational, and societal levels. Mattering is a multidimensional construct consisting of feeling valued by, and adding value to, self and others. Prior studies have attempted to connect mattering to both fairness and a variety of well-being outcomes. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that mattering acts as a mediator between fairness and well-being. This hypothesis was tested through Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) using multidimensional measures of fairness, mattering, and well-being. Results from a Latent Path Analysis conducted on a representative sample of 1,051U.S. adults provide support to our hypothesis by revealing a strong direct predictive effect of mattering onto well-being and a strong indirect effect of fairness onto well-being through mattering. Results also show that mattering is likely to fully mediate the relationship between fairness and multiple domains of well-being, except in one case, namely, economic well-being. These findings illustrate the value of a focus on mattering to understand the relationship between fairness and well-being and to provide future directions for theory, research, and practice. Theoretical implications for the experience of citizenship and participation, along with cross-cultural considerations, are also discussed.

From public health to public good: Toward universal wellbeing

“…Extensive evidence points to the fact that justice is a sine qua non condition for health and wellbeing [21,[26][27][28]. The text in the bottom row of Table 1 refers to the foundational definition of justice, which is to each according to his or her due.…”

“…According to Prilleltensky [ 18 ], mattering is based on the need ‘to feel valued by, and to add value to, self, others, work and community’ (p.16). As empirical studies have demonstrated [ 27 , 28 ], mattering mediates between experiences of justice and health. We hypothesize that this is the case because when people are treated fairly, they are treated with dignity and respect, made to feel valued and given chances to add value.…”

Understanding East–West Cultural Differences on Perceived Compensation Fairness Among Executives: From a Neuroscience Perspective

“…Executives' innovative motivation determines the firm's creative activity intensity (Duan et al, 2021). In practical terms, executives' perceptions of compensation fairness can motivate them to use their management talents (Scarpa et al, 2021). Then they will generate a stronger innovation motivation in the firm's long-term interest.…”

Between wellness and fairness: The mediating role of autonomous human choice and social capital in OECD countries

“…Second, considerable work has shown that fairness is a precondition for wellness (Prilleltensky, 2012). Third, there is growing evidence at the personal level that mattering mediates between wellness and justice (Scarpa, Di Martino, et al, 2021). When we combine these bodies of knowledge, we conclude that autonomy and relatedness may very well mediate between fairness and wellness at the national level.…”

“…The second theory guiding our effort is the psychology of mattering. Recent theoretical and empirical work has shown that mattering consists of feeling valued and adding value (Prilleltensky & Prilleltensky, 2021; Scarpa, Di Martino, et al, 2021; Scarpa, Prilleltensky, et al, 2021). Part of adding value is autonomy, and part of feeling valued is relatedness.…”