Travel behavior and subjective well-being:The mediation effects of social networks
The improvement of well-being stands as one of the ultimate goals of transport policy.In recent years,exploration of the relationship between travel behavior and well-being has gained increasing attention in geography and transportation research.Numerous studies have demonstrated that travel has significant impact on well-being.However,the mediation effects of social networks in the relationship between travel and well-being remain unclear.To bridge this gap,this study focused on the mediating role of social networks in the relationship between travel and well-being.Using data from a household survey conducted in the urban area of Nanjing City in 2019,this study employed regression analysis and mediation effect analysis to comprehensively unravel the mechanism of impact between travel,social networks,and well-being.The findings show that the frequencies of both traveling by car and by public transport have significant positive influence on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being,with the frequency of traveling by car exhibiting a more pronounced effect.The results of mediation effect analysis reveal that social networks play an important mediation role in the relationship between travel and well-being,and the effects vary between different travel modes.Notably,the mediation effect of social networks is significant in the impact of the frequency of traveling by car and travel distance on well-being,yet appears inconsequential in the relationship between frequency of traveling by public transport and well-being.This study investigated different impact paths of three dimensions of travel characteristics on well-being.By examining the impact mechanisms of travel behavior on well-being through the lens of social networks,this study sought to comprehend how the societal value of travel influences residents'well-being.Travel not only enhances individual hedonic experiences and holistic development through the augmentation of social networks but also contributes to the long-term accumulation of social well-being,thereby fostering an overall improvement in the social environment.Consequently,this research offers valuable insights for urban transportation policies to enhance social inclusion and well-being.Given the distinctive characteristics of the relationship between residents'travel and well-being in the current urban development context and the sociocultural landscape of China,it becomes imperative to account for the social effects of travel behavior and residents'well-being in transportation policies.Hence,there is a pressing need for research on the nexus between travel,social network and well-being among urban residents in Chinese cities.
万方数据
维普
