Measures of a Sustainable Commute as a Predictor of Happiness

Abstract

Abstract:The ways in which we travel-by what mode, for how long, and for what purpose-can affect our sense of happiness and well-being. This paper assesses the relationships between measures of the sustainability of transportation systems in U.S. metropolitan areas and subjective well-being. Associations between self-reported happiness levels from the Gallup Healthways Well-being Index and commute data were examined for 187 core-based statistical areas (CBSA). We also supplement this quantitative analysis through brief case studies of high-and low-performing happiness cities. Our quantitative results indicate that regions with higher commute mode shares by non-automobile modes generally had higher well-being scores, even when controlling for important economic predictors of happiness. We also find that pro-sustainable transportation policies can have implications for population-wide happiness and well-being. Our case studies indicate that both high and low scoring happiness cities demonstrate a dedicated commitment to improving sustainable transportation infrastructure. Our study suggests that cities that provide incentives for residents to use more sustainable commute modes may offer greater opportunity for happiness than those that do not.

Greening up because of god: The relations among religion, sustainable consumption and subjective well‐being

“…Prior research also indicates that sustainability’s influence on subjective well‐being is an area where future research is particularly needed to show personal outcomes for sustainable behaviors that consumers may otherwise not feel incentivized to join (Paralkar, Cloutier, Nautiyal, & Mitra, ). Building off prior research in examining community‐level measures of sustainable behavior (Cloutier et al, ; Paralkar et al, ), we expect that individual‐level sustainable consumption practices will positively lead to subjective well‐being.

H3 Participation in sustainable consumption practice s positively correlates with consumers’ subjective well‐being .

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“…In sum, a broader model is proposed where religiosity influences sustainable consumption, which then influences consumer well‐being. This expectation follows the connection between religiosity and sustainable consumption, as discussed in support for H1 (cf., Leary et al, ; Minton et al, ) and H2 (cf., Minton, ; Wolkomir et al, ), as well as sustainable consumption’s positive connection with subjective well‐being, as discussed in support for H3 (cf., Cloutier et al, ; Dunn et al, ; Paralkar et al, ,). With this mediating expectation, we acknowledge that many other mediators likely exist between religiosity and consumers’ subjective well‐being (e.g., integration in a social network, decreased participation in risky behaviors, altered views of anxiety or stress producing situations).…”

“…Beyond general influences on consumption, this research provided novel findings regarding the relations among religiosity, sustainability, and consumers' subjective well-being. This research demonstrated that sustainability positively influences consumers' subjective well-being, which builds on prior research that has shown that community-level sustainability influences subjective well-being (c.f., Cloutier et al, 2017, Paralkar et al, 2017. (c.f., Leary et al, 2016;Minton, 2013;Minton et al, 2015;Wolkomir et al, 1997) shows that religiosity does in fact positively influences sustainable consumption, leading to higher subjective well-being.…”

Sustainability, Well-Being, and Happiness: A co-word Analysis

“…These indicators mainly focus on psychological aspects that possess an intrinsically intangible essence and tend to come up the side the well-known environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. In other words, feelings as satisfaction, personal well-being, intrinsic motivation, and happiness (Kaiser, 1998;Iwata, 2001;Kasser, 2009, Rojas, 2011Cloutier, Karner, Breetz, Briggs, & Carlson, 2017) play a fundamental role in developing sustainability and promoting sustainable development. Some studies have found the relevance of the concept of "justice," in terms of impartial treatment and compensation.…”

“…Individuals that practice eco-friendly behaviors are happier than individuals that are not considerate of green aspects (Brown &Kasser, 2005;Turcotte, 2006;O'Brien, 2013;Barrington, 2016). In this scenario, happiness represents the contemporary antecedent of pro-environmental behavior (Cloutier et al, 2017) and a consequence of sustainable practices (Kasser, 2009) converging to achieve general well-being (Helne & Hirvilammi, 2015). In recent years, due to the escalating interest in happiness, several studies have aimed to lead people and organizations to find the "good life," achievable whether and when sustainability is partnered with well-being and happiness, creating what scholars label as "sustainable happiness" (O'Brien, 2008;2013), that is "the pursuit of happiness that does not exploit other people, the environment or future generations" (O'Brien, 2008).…”