The Relationship between the Awareness of the Importance of Work/Leisure and Happiness
China's economic development and social progress have led to the continuous rapid growth of urban and rural incomes,and the improvement of residents'living standards has changed dramatically.During this period,the national system of working hours and vacations has been constantly improved,resulting in changes not only in residents'working and leisure hours but also in their awareness of the importance of leisure and work.A thorough exploration of the cognitive changes in the importance of work and leisure among Chinese residents over an extended period is of great significance.Based on the World Values Survey(WVS)from 1990 to 2018 in China,this study examines the impact of Chinese residents'awareness of the importance of leisure and work on their happiness over the long term,seeking the answer to whether individuals who prioritize leisure over work experience greater happiness.Furthermore,the study delves into the relationship between income,the importance of leisure,and residents'happiness.The results indicate that both the importance of leisure and work positively affect residents'happiness to a great extent.Over the period from 1990 to 2018,there was a reversal in the impact of the importance of leisure and work on happiness.Initially,individuals who valued leisure as important were less happy,and those who valued work were happier.Over time,the results shifted to that individuals valuing leisure were happier,and the importance of work affected their happiness to a lesser extent.In general,individuals who prioritize leisure are not necessarily happier.However,the regression analysis by year reveals that in 1990,those who valued work more reported greater happiness,whereas in 2013,there was a reversal where those who valued leisure more reported heightened happiness.Additionally,the importance of leisure partially mediates the relationship between income and residents'happiness.While income directly impacts residents'happiness,it also partially influences their well-being by shaping their awareness of the importance of leisure.Over the past three decades,as residents'living standards have risen,individuals have endeavored to find a new balance between leisure and work.Despite the fact that the importance of leisure has not exceeded that of work,the continuously increased significance of leisure in daily life and the overall decline in the importance of work have created tension between these two trends.Recognizing this,the central government must highly emphasize the development of national leisure,comprehensively implement the working hours system and the vacations system,effectively protect the leisure rights and interests of residents,and guide residents in forming positive values regarding both work and leisure.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
