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Life-Satisfaction in Post-Soviet Russia and Ukraine

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Abstract

This paper fills a gap in the literature by looking at influences on the well-being of the citizens of Russia and Ukraine in the context of the triple shock – economic, political and social – that they experienced after 1991. The paper argues that lived experience – how people evaluate their living conditions – is as significant an influence on the welfare of citizens as are the actual conditions in which they live. The majority of the populations perceive the post-1991 economic and political changes negatively, and levels of general satisfaction and happiness are comparatively low. The findings suggest that objective economic factors, geographical/social location, health status and social context influence well-being, but also personal control and satisfaction with material circumstances, with health having a greater influence on happiness, while material circumstances and the evaluation of them have a greater influence on general satisfaction. The paper concludes by arguing for a model of reciprocal causation in which material factors provide the partially determining context for actions and are themselves influenced by happiness and satisfaction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Caledonian Centre for Equality and Diversity, Glasgow Caledonian University, G3 0BA, Glasgow, UK

    Pamela Abbott & Roger Sapsford

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  1. Pamela Abbott
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  2. Roger Sapsford
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Correspondence to Pamela Abbott.

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Abbott, P., Sapsford, R. Life-Satisfaction in Post-Soviet Russia and Ukraine. J Happiness Stud 7, 251–287 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-5563-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-5563-2

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