Is life satisfaction higher for citizens engaged in political participation: Analysis based on the Chinese social survey

Abstract

Background Political participation is an important component of civil rights. Several studies have shown that citizens’ political participation not only influences the allocation of public resources, but also has a positive correlation with participants’ life satisfaction. Recently, political participation has become increasingly frequent in China; however, the research on Chinese citizens’ political participation and life satisfaction is insufficient. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between political participation and life satisfaction in the Chinese cultural context, and how this relationship varied under different conditions. Methods Based on 8,475 respondents from the 2015 Chinese Social Survey, ordinary least squares modeling was used to investigate the relationship of Chinese citizens’ political participation and their life satisfaction, and the differences that might exist in this relationship. Results Political participation was closely related to life satisfaction. Compared with non-political participants, the life satisfaction of political participants was 0.133 units higher, which was significant at the 1% level. Regarding the types of political participation, citizens engaged in institutionalized political participation had higher life satisfaction, whereas citizens engaged in non-institutionalized political participation had lower life satisfaction. Furthermore, two social capitals, namely social tolerance and social trust, were the mediating variables linking political participation to citizens’ life satisfaction. Conclusions In China, citizens engaged in political participation had higher life satisfaction, in contrast, citizens engaged in non-institutionalized political participation had lower life satisfaction.

Gender Differences in Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intentions, Environmental Values, Tolerance of Environmental Protection Cost, and Confidence in Citizen Participation in Environmental Policies During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan

“…In addition, the Taiwanese government at all levels has constructed an online participation platform for public policy that is open to all citizens [22]. Prior studies have indicated that political participation is closely related to life satisfaction, and the life satisfaction of political participants is higher than that of non-political participants [23,24]. Whether citizens have the energy or time to personally participate in environmental protection activities, governments should let them know that their suggestions are taken seriously into consideration.…”

The Role of Subjective Well-Being in Cuban Civil Protest against the Government: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…This transformation is solidified during the political participation process and is not solely reliant on its outcomes, reflecting what Lane (1988) refers to as procedural utility. By participating politically, individuals exercise their rights, act according to their values, and contribute to society, enhancing the likelihood of experiencing wellbeing and personal satisfaction (Flavin and Keane 2011;Weitz-Shapiro and Winters 2011;Klar and Kasser 2009;Šarkut ė 2017;Shi et al 2022).…”