Cultural Activities and Subjective Well-Being in a Context of Structural Deprivation: Evidence of the Maré Favela Complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This paper examines the relationship between cultural activities and subjective well-being among adult residents<br/>of the Maré Complex, a cluster of 16 favelas in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Using original survey data from 1,211<br/>respondents collected in 2019 through the Building the Barricades project, the study analyses how different forms<br/>of cultural engagement relate to life satisfaction in a context of poverty, deprivation, and chronic urban violence.<br/>Using a multidimensional well-being index based on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life<br/>(MANSA), the study estimates its relationship with cultural participation through linear, binary, and ordered<br/>models. Results show that attendance-based cultural activities—such as concerts or cinemas—are positively and<br/>significantly associated with subjective well-being across all specifications, reflecting the importance of shared<br/>and socially embedded experiences, particularly in environments marked by deprivation and scarce leisure<br/>opportunities. Performative forms of participation, including music-making and dance, yield no conclusive<br/>evidence, while media-based engagement, dominated by movie and music streaming, shows negative associations.<br/>Beyond cultural participation, well-being increases with income and age but declines with higher educational<br/>attainment, possibly reflecting unmet expectations and limited prospects among young and educated individuals.<br/>Health problems and being a woman are negatively associated with well-being, whereas sports engagement shows<br/>a significant positive effect. By distinguishing between types of cultural participation and analysing them within<br/>a deprived urban context, the study provides new evidence on culture’s role in shaping well-being and highlights<br/>the importance of cultural and leisure infrastructure for resilience and quality of life.<br/>Keywords: Cultural activities; Subjective well-being; Life satisfaction; Structural deprivation