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Differential Life Satisfaction in a German Representative Sample

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Arnold

    (Department of Psychotherapy and Diagnostics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

  • Beate Muschalla

    (Department of Psychotherapy and Diagnostics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany)

Abstract

Life satisfaction includes various aspects, such as satisfaction with work, family, environment, and finances, and is influenced by sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This representative study investigates differential life satisfaction in the general population and its associations with sociodemographics. The study used a cross-sectional design with 2522 German participants, collected via face-to-face interviews and three-stage random sampling, assessing satisfaction across 17 life areas with the Differential Life Burden Scale. Overall life satisfaction was high ( M = 4.46, scale from 1 to 6). Although globally satisfied, most participants (84.2%) named at least one negative area of life. Politics and environment were perceived as dissatisfying ( M = 3.1; M = 3.81, respectively); social contacts and leisure time were evaluated as rather satisfying ( M about 5.00). Age, income, and unemployment were associated with life satisfaction. Gender and age were differently associated with life domains: Older people were less satisfied with their health. Younger people were more satisfied with leisure time. Younger were less satisfied with their children than older participants. The German population is generally satisfied with life, though factors like age, unemployment, and income influence the number of negatively perceived life domains. This highlights the importance of evaluating specific life areas in addition to overall life satisfaction for a more comprehensive understanding.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Arnold & Beate Muschalla, 2025. "Differential Life Satisfaction in a German Representative Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:1:p:105-:d:1567065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Rebecca J. Jarden & Mohsen Joshanloo & Dan Weijers & Margaret H. Sandham & Aaron J. Jarden, 2022. "Predictors of Life Satisfaction in New Zealand: Analysis of a National Dataset," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Martin Kroh & Simon Kühne & Christian Kipp & David Richter, 2017. "Einkommen, soziale Netzwerke, Lebenszufriedenheit: Lesben, Schwule und Bisexuelle in Deutschland," DIW Wochenbericht, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 84(35), pages 687-698.
    4. Ed Diener & Ed Sandvik & Larry Seidlitz & Marissa Diener, 1993. "The relationship between income and subjective well-being: Relative or absolute?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 195-223, March.
    5. Marina Della Giusta & Sarah Louise Jewell & Uma Kambhampati, 2011. "Gender and Life Satisfaction in the UK," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(3), pages 1-34.
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