Subjective temporal well-being: Defining, measuring, and applying a new concept

Abstract

Time scarcity has become part and parcel of our modern predicament, with individuals’ temporal experiences emerging as a central factor for their well-being. Despite the widespread experience of time-related problems, however, no comprehensive method to measure the subjective temporal dimensions of this experience have been generally accepted. This article seeks to take a step in addressing this gap by introducing a new concept called “Subjective Temporal Well-being”. In the first part of the article, the new concept is defined in its two fundamental dimensions, anchoring it to the experience of a low level of perceived time pressure and a high level of satisfaction with how one’s time is spent. Next, the concept is subjected to an empirical examination using a data-set consisting of 1,000 Swedish respondents. The concept is related to other, existing measures of well-being, and the particular characteristics of individuals found in the present research to have especially “high” and “low” temporal well-being are mapped. The concept of Subjective Temporal Well-being is proposed to provide a comprehensible and tangible angle for the study of key dimensions of people’s everyday lives, which in some cases can be more suitable than the notion of overall well-being. Finally, the implications of the new concept are explored in terms of its possible applications in statistical surveys and its usefulness for academic research.

Keywords:

• time scarcity
• work-life balance
• well-being
• work hours
• leisure time

Public Interest Statement

For the global middle classes, material scarcity has, over time, become less and less significant as a pressing issue, while time scarcity has, in comparison, begun to grow in importance. In order to be able to talk about, and analyze, these experiences we need useful and precise words and concepts. In this article we suggest three concepts: Subjective Temporal Well-being, with its two dimensions Time Pressure and Time Use Satisfaction. These, and similar concepts, can be used in connection with time use studies as carried out in many countries, and also as a component in measurements of national progress/quality of life which some countries currently are developing.

Notes

1. The term temporal well-being has previously been used in theological contexts, as, e.g. in the expression “spiritual and temporal well-being,” in which it is basically synonymous with “worldly” or “secular”.

2. It cannot be excluded that this specific context have affected how the respondents answered the questions, but we see no obvious effects.

3. The division of the data-set into four exact subgroups (25%) was not possible due to the actual distribution of answers: the “quartiles” consist of between 20 and 30% of the respondents.

4. The median working hours per week in Sweden is 40. The reason why the averages here were all lower than that is that our figures also cover those not working at all at the time of this survey, such as those who were unemployed.

5. 2014, Statistics Sweden, www.scb.se, age group 20–64, agreed work time 1–34 h per week.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jörgen Larsson

Jörgen Larsson obtained his PhD in Sociology from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 2012, and he is currently working as Assistant professor at Chalmers University of Technology in the same city. His doctoral dissertation explored time use patterns, temporal experiences and time strategies among Swedish families. His more recent work is centred on sustainable consumption patterns and ecologically sustainable lifestyles.