Perceptions of Well-Being by Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Populations in the United States

Abstract

The present study compared what are considered salient sociological variables associated with the general public's perception of well-being with various aspects of life in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in the United States. Data were collected from the national probability sample of the General Social Surveys of 1978 and 1988 of the National Opinion Research Center. Demographic variables such as gender, age, race, marital status, education, financial status, and location of residence were considered independent variables. A composite score of subjective well-being was treated as the dependent variable. The regression analysis results formed the basis for discussion of any observed differences in the perception of well-being as related to its predictors. Although no significant differences were noted among metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan living, financial status, marital status, and education appeared to be the important factors in an individual's perception of well-being. Race and age were the two next important factors, with gender and residence at age 16 being the only predictive factors of life satisfaction.