Subjective Well-Being, Family Dynamics and Vulnerability

Abstract

There is a wealth of empirical studies linking the life events and transitions to variations in subjective wellbeing. These studies are often cross sectional or, when taking a dynamic approach, they address one life domain at the time. Within LIVES, the relationship between family transitions (like the transition to parenthood, couple separation, lone motherhood) and well-being has been investigated longitudinally and with attention to the spillovers between the family and other life domains. Several projects show the extent to which family events or phases affect individual subjective wellbeing in the short or long term and what are the interdependencies with employment and health trajectories. Results show also gender differences in the way different types of stressors act and are reacted to. For instance, men and women have different strategies and mobilize different resources and reserves drawing on various life domains (economic, social, cognitive) to deal with stressors related to critical events and transitions. In this chapter, we review and discuss the results of such projects (becoming a parent study, lone motherhood project, etc.) in the light of a multidimensional understanding of vulnerability processes across the life course.