IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v24y2023i4d10.1007_s10902-023-00650-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Conceptualizations of Happiness and Vegetarianism: Empirical Evidence from University Students in Spain

Author

Listed:
  • Jana Krizanova

    (University of Granada)

  • Jorge Guardiola

    (University of Granada)

Abstract

Vegetarianism improves human and planetary health in addition to animal welfare. Motivations for meat-reduced diets include health-related and ethical reasons, with the latter being the main driver for eschewing meat. However, evidence on vegetarian happiness is inconclusive and the results reported are mixed. This constitutes a challenge for policy aiming to encourage people to shift toward plant-based diets. In this research, we aim to provide some evidence on this question: to what extent is there a link between the different moral codes related to ideas of happiness and vegetarianism? To do so, we apply the happiness moral codes from the Conceptual Referent Theory, and assess vegetarianism from the perspective of the psychological aspect of vegetarian identity (flexitarian, pescatarian, lacto-ovo vegetarian, and vegan) and dietary behavior (vegetarian self-assessment scale). Analyzing a sample of university students in Spain, we discover that some happiness constructs (tranquility, fulfilment, and virtue) are positively related to vegetarianism while others are inversely related (enjoyment and stoicism). In terms of policy implications, we find that ethical grounds one holds on happiness in relation to vegetarianism may play a role in fostering or hindering plant-based lifestyles. Graphical Abstract

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Krizanova & Jorge Guardiola, 2023. "Conceptualizations of Happiness and Vegetarianism: Empirical Evidence from University Students in Spain," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1483-1503, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00650-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00650-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-023-00650-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-023-00650-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David Blanchflower & Andrew Oswald & Sarah Stewart-Brown, 2013. "Is Psychological Well-Being Linked to the Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 785-801, December.
    2. Binder, Martin & Blankenberg, Ann-Kathrin & Guardiola, Jorge, 2020. "Does it have to be a sacrifice? Different notions of the good life, pro-environmental behavior and their heterogeneous impact on well-being," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Mujcic, R. & Oswald, A.J., 2016. "Evolution of well-being and happiness after increases in consumption of fruit and vegetables," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 106(8), pages 1504-1510.
    4. Patrick Schenk & Jörg Rössel & Manuel Scholz, 2018. "Motivations and Constraints of Meat Avoidance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Fox, Nick & Ward, Katie J., 2008. "You are what you eat? Vegetarianism, health and identity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(12), pages 2585-2595, June.
    6. Mariano Rojas, 2005. "A Conceptual-Referent Theory of Happiness: Heterogeneity and its Consequences," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 74(2), pages 261-294, November.
    7. Giovanna Bertella, 2020. "The Vegan Food Experience: Searching for Happiness in the Norwegian Foodscape," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, November.
    8. Richard Twine, 2014. "Vegan Killjoys at the Table—Contesting Happiness and Negotiating Relationships with Food Practices," Societies, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-17, November.
    9. Atilano Pena-López & Paolo Rungo & Beatriz López-Bermúdez, 2021. "The "Efficiency" Effect of Conceptual Referents on the Generation of Happiness: A Cross-National Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2457-2483, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jana Krizanova & Jorge Guardiola, 2021. "Happy but Vegetarian? Understanding the Relationship of Vegetarian Subjective Well-Being from the Nature-Connectedness Perspective of University Students," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(5), pages 2221-2249, October.
    2. Allison Christopher & John P. Bartkowski & Timothy Haverda, 2018. "Portraits of Veganism: A Comparative Discourse Analysis of a Second-Order Subculture," Societies, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-21, July.
    3. Lalji, Chitwan & Pakrashi, Debayan & Smyth, Russell, 2018. "Can eating five fruit and veg a day really keep the doctor away?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 320-330.
    4. Huffman, Sonya & Rizov, Marian, 2016. "Life Satisfaction and Diet: Evidence from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235148, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Lalji, Chitwan & Pakrashi, Debayan & Smyth, Russell, 2018. "Can eating five fruit and veg a day really keep the doctor away?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 320-330.
    6. Ilona Liliána Birtalan & Attila Bartha & Ágnes Neulinger & György Bárdos & Attila Oláh & József Rácz & Adrien Rigó, 2020. "Community Supported Agriculture as a Driver of Food-Related Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Renata Nestorowicz & Ewa Jerzyk & Anna Rogala, 2022. "In the Labyrinth of Dietary Patterns and Well-Being—When Eating Healthy Is Not Enough to Be Well," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, January.
    8. Sonya K. Huffman & Marian Rizov, 2018. "Life satisfaction and diet in transition: evidence from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(5), pages 563-574, September.
    9. David G. Blanchflower & Carol L. Graham, 2020. "The Mid-Life Dip in Well-Being: Economists (Who Find It) Versus Psychologists (Who Don't)!," NBER Working Papers 26888, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    10. Ocean, Neel & Howley, Peter & Ensor, Jonathan, 2019. "Lettuce be happy: A longitudinal UK study on the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 335-345.
    11. Ruut Veenhoven, 2021. "Will Healthy Eating Make You Happier? A Research Synthesis Using an Online Findings Archive," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(1), pages 221-240, February.
    12. Adelina Gschwandtner & Sarah Jewell & Uma S. Kambhampati, 2022. "Lifestyle and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Delayed Gratification," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 1043-1072, March.
    13. Thanh-Lam Nguyen & Do Huu Tai & Lam Thanh Hien & Doan Manh Quynh & Phan Ngoc Son, 2020. "A Novel Model to Predict Plant-Based Food Choice-Empirical Study in Southern Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-25, May.
    14. Erik Carlquist & Pål Ulleberg & Antonella Delle Fave & Hilde E. Nafstad & Rolv M. Blakar, 2017. "Everyday Understandings of Happiness, Good Life, and Satisfaction: Three Different Facets of Well-being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(2), pages 481-505, June.
    15. Yuanlin Gu & Hua-Liang Wei, 2018. "Significant Indicators and Determinants of Happiness: Evidence from a UK Survey and Revealed by a Data-Driven Systems Modelling Approach," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-12, March.
    16. Bernatzky, Marianne & Cabrera, José María & Cid, Alejandro, 2015. "Regular Information and Health: Evidence from a Field Experiment with Undergraduate Students," MPRA Paper 84618, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Alex Bryson & John Forth & Lucy Stokes, 2015. "Does Worker Wellbeing Affect Workplace Performance?," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 447, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    18. De Neve, Jan-Emmanuel & Diener, Ed & Tay, Louis & Xuereb, Cody, 2013. "The objective benefits of subjective well-being," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 51669, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    19. Sakari Kainulainen, 2022. "Concurrent Assessments of Individuals’ Affect and Contentment and the Correlation of these Estimates to Overall Happiness at Specific Moments," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(5), pages 3151-3174, October.
    20. Atilano Pena-López & Paolo Rungo & Beatriz López-Bermúdez, 2021. "The "Efficiency" Effect of Conceptual Referents on the Generation of Happiness: A Cross-National Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 2457-2483, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00650-6. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.