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  • 2021
  • Article
  • Self and Identity

Psychological Pathways Linking Income Inequality in Adolescence to Well-being in Adulthood

By: Lora E. Park, Han Young Jung, Kristen Schultz Lee, Deborah E. Ward, Paul K. Piff, Ashley Whillans and Kristin Naragon-Gainey
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Abstract

Does exposure to income inequality in adolescence relate to well-being in adulthood? In Studies 1 and 2 ( N = 888), individuals who grew up in U.S. counties with higher income inequality expected greater benefits of financial success as adults, were more likely to base their self-worth on money, and felt less happy and satisfied with their lives. Upward social comparisons may play a key role in this process. Participants who made upward (vs. downward) financial comparisons perceived greater economic disadvantage, which predicted greater expected benefits of financial success, basing self-worth on money, and lower well-being (Study 3, N=336). Together, these studies suggest that past exposure to income inequality may be linked to lower well-being in adulthood due to financial contingency of self-worth.

Keywords

Financial Contingency Of Self-worth; Life Satisfaction; Social Comparison; Income; Equality and Inequality; Happiness; Satisfaction; Well-being

Citation

Park, Lora E., Han Young Jung, Kristen Schultz Lee, Deborah E. Ward, Paul K. Piff, Ashley Whillans, and Kristin Naragon-Gainey. "Psychological Pathways Linking Income Inequality in Adolescence to Well-being in Adulthood." Self and Identity 20, no. 8 (2021): 982–1014.

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About The Author

Ashley V. Whillans

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
→More Publications

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