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Satisfaction with Family Life in South Africa: The Role of Socioeconomic Status

Author

Listed:
  • Ferdi Botha

    (Rhodes University
    University of Antwerp)

  • Frikkie Booysen

    (Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
    University of the Free State)

  • Edwin Wouters

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

This paper investigates the determinants of self-reported satisfaction with family life, applied to the South African context, with socioeconomic status (SES) as the main covariate and family functioning as the secondary covariate of interest. An individual-, household-, and subjective SES index is constructed via multiple correspondence analysis. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and multiple-group SEM (MGSEM) are used to analyse the role of SES in explaining satisfaction with family life. Higher levels of SES, especially household SES and subjective SES, are related to greater satisfaction with family life. Family functioning, in terms of better family flexibility, is associated with higher satisfaction with family life. The MGSEM results indicate that the role of family flexibility in explaining satisfaction with family life is similar across SES quartiles; family flexibility is an important predictor of family-life satisfaction, regardless of SES quartile.

Suggested Citation

  • Ferdi Botha & Frikkie Booysen & Edwin Wouters, 2018. "Satisfaction with Family Life in South Africa: The Role of Socioeconomic Status," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(8), pages 2339-2372, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:19:y:2018:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-017-9929-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-017-9929-z
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    4. Ligia Orellana & Berta Schnettler & Edgardo Miranda-Zapata & Héctor Poblete & Germán Lobos & María Lapo & Cristian Adasme-Berríos, 2021. "Effects of Work-to-Family Conflict and Work Interference in the Parent-Child Relationship on Family Satisfaction of Dual-Earner Parents and their Adolescent Children," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(6), pages 2145-2169, December.
    5. Berta Schnettler & Edgardo Miranda-Zapata & Ligia Orellana & Héctor Poblete & Germán Lobos & María Lapo & Cristian Adasme-Berríos, 2020. "Domain Satisfaction and Overall Life Satisfaction: Testing the Spillover-Crossover Model in Chilean Dual-Earner Couples," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Ferdi Botha & Edwin Wouters & Frikkie Booysen, 2018. "Happiness, Socioeconomic Status, and Family Functioning in South African Households: a Structural Equation Modelling Approach," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(4), pages 947-989, December.

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