Subjective Well-Being Among African Americans: Findings from the National Survey of American Life

Life satisfaction and happiness are related but distinct assessments of life quality with established links to sociodemographic and health factors. Despite a rich literature on quality of life, there remains a paucity of research on this topic among African Americans. This investigation explored (1) the sociodemographic correlates of life satisfaction and happiness and (2) how life satisfaction and happiness are related to health factors and adversity-relevant life circumstances. Ordinary least squares regression was used to identify correlates of life satisfaction and happiness among a nationally representative sample of African American adults (National Survey of American Life). Findings confirmed several sociodemographic and health correlates, as well as unique differences. Regional differences indicated that residents in the Northeast had lower life satisfaction ratings, while those in the West had higher happiness ratings. Education was negatively related to both life satisfaction and happiness. Self-rated physical health and oral health and adversity-relevant life circumstances were associated with both life satisfaction and happiness. In contrast, self-rated childhood health and experiences of everyday racial discrimination were only associated with happiness, while being a parent was only associated with lower life satisfaction. Noted differences suggest that, while related, satisfaction and happiness represent distinct assessments of life quality.