![Page 1: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
1
The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being
Cecilia Bergstad Jakobsson (co-PI) Amelie Gamble
Tommy Gärling (PI) Olle HagmanMerrit Polk
University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden
Margareta FrimanLars E. Olsson
Karlstad University, Sweden
Dick EttemaUtrecht University, The Netherlands
![Page 2: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
2
Subjective Well-Being (SWB) Definitions
SWB has a cognitive and an affective component.
The cognitive component is a global judgement of (current or past) satisfaction with one´s life. It is heavily influenced by and slightly influences domain satisfaction, e.g. judgments of satisfaction with one´s health, work, marriage and leisure.
The affectíve component (sometimes referred to as affective SWB) is identified with (current or past) mood which vary from positive to negative.
![Page 3: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
3
Subjective Well-Being (SWB) Measurement
SWB is either measured by a single-item scale:”Taken all things together, how would you say your life is today? Would you say you are very happy, rather happy, or not happy at all?”(World Values Survey, Eurobarometer)
Or by a multi-item scale“In most ways my life is close to my ideal; The conditions of my life are excellent; I am satisfied with my life; So far I have achieved the important things I want in life; If I could live my life over again, I would change almost nothing.” (Satisfaction With Life Scale, SWLS; Diener et al.)
Mood is measured by self-report rating scales (but physiological methods may also be used):”Rate how positive-negative you feel at the moment/have felt previous week.” ”Indicate how frequently you have felt positive/negative previous week.”
![Page 4: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
4
Subjective Well-Being (SWB) Determinants
Personality (50%) Higher for extravert than introvert people Higher for emotional stable than emotional instable peopleSocio-demographic variables (10%) Women more variable than men U-shaped relation to age (minimum at 40) Increases with education Increases with employment Negatively accelerated function of income Increases after marriage, decreases after divorce or death of spouseIntentional activities (40%) Increases with goal pursuit Increases with positive affect associated with activities Decreases with daily hassles (negative stress)
![Page 5: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5
Daily Travel and SWB (1)
satisfactionwith travel
travel timecost
reliabilitysafety
security mood
activity performance
SWB
![Page 6: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
6
Daily Travel and SWB (2)
satisfactionwith travel
car use
psychological motives
socio-demographicvariables
car access
![Page 7: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
7
Survey in September-November 2007
Sample
1,330 (44.3 %) randomly sampled Swedish residents:196 (19.6 %) from urban areas (>200,000)536 (53.6 %) from semi-rural areas (20,000 - 200,000) 543 (54.3 %) from rural areas (<20,000)
53.7% women/mean age 46.3 years
Singles without children 12.7% Single 19.8%Singles with children 5.1% Cohabiting 77.4%Cohabiting without children 34.3% Without children 47.0% Cohabuting with children 43.1% With children 48.2%
35.2% had a university degree
56.3% was full-time employed/69.8% mean employment degree
1,134 (85.2%) access to private cars
![Page 8: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
8
Survey in September-November 2007
Questionnaire
Psychological motives for car use
Performance of out-of-home activities previous week
Affect associated with performance of the activities
Travel mode to the activities
Mood (previous week)
SWB (life in general)
Satisfaction with travel
Socio-demographic variables
![Page 9: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
9
Survey in September-November 2007
Measures
Scales of instrumental-independence motives (11 items 0-6, M = 5.0/SD = 0.9, = .87)
Scales of affective-symbolic motives (14 items 0-6, M = 1.8/SD = 1.2, = .91) (0-6)
Number of weekly car trips (M = 11.2/SD = 8.7)
Percent car use as driver to activities (M = 69.4/SD = 33.0)
Percent car use as passenger to activities (M = 13.0/SD = 21.0)
SWB (SWLS, 6 items 0-6, M = 4.0/SD=1.3, = .92)
Weekly mood (SCAS, 2 items -3-3, M=4.0/SD = 1.3, > .75)
Satisfaction with activities (SAS, mean 4.5 items -3-3, M = 4.3/SD = 0.9, > .77)
Satisfaction with travel (STS, 5 items 0-6, M = 3.7/SD = 1.3, = .77)
![Page 10: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
10
Study 1 Affective-symbolic and instrumental-independence motives for daily car use mediating effects of socio-
demographic variables on car use
Research QuestionTo what degree do instrumental-indepedence and
affective-symbolic motives mediate relationships between socio-demographic variables and daily car use?
![Page 11: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
11
Study 1: Measures of psychological motives
Affective-symbolicTo what extent do you agree to that …I express myself through my car; Driving is sporty and adventurous; Driving is my hobby; The car gives me power in traffic; The car provides privacy; I enjoy driving a nice, good-looking car; I can distinguish myself from others;I get a kick out of driving; I am a bit in love with my car; Driving is enjoyable; The car gives me prestige; Driving is relaxing; I love driving fast; I love the drone of my engine and muffler.
Instrumental-indepenedenceTo what extent do you agree to that …The car brings me wherever I want; Driving saves a lot of time; Driving makes my life more easy; I can visit family and friends; Feelings of freedom the car gives me; Driving is comfortable; I am free to stop everywhere; I am not dependent on others; I get out; I can chose my own route; The car enables recreational trips and holidays.
![Page 12: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
12
Study 1: Results (1)
Socio-Demographic Variables n beta beta
Instrumental-independence motive 1126 0.10Affective-symbolic motive 1127 0.08
Sex (man 1, woman -1) 1129 0.09 0.08* Age (40 – 54 years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1134 -0.02
0.02Age (55 + years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1134 -0.10 -0.08Cohabitant (1 vs. single -1) marital status 1073 -0.01 0.01Children (1 vs. no children -1) 1073 0.14 0.15University (1 vs. lower -1) education 1134 -0.04 -0.02Employment (%) 1120 0.07 0.07Income (1-6) 1054 -0.04 -0.05 Urban (-1) vs semi-rural (1) residential area 1092 0.07
0.08Urban (-1) vs rural (1) residential area 1092 0.09 0.08*Number of cars 1119 0.12 0.10
Number of weekly car tripsR2
adj = .09 .11
*Partial mediation by instrumental-independence motive
![Page 13: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
13
Study 1: Results (2)
Socio-Demographic Variables n beta beta
Instrumental-independence motive 1126 0.17Affective-symbolic motive 1127 0.04
Sex (man 1, woman -1) 1129 0.18 0.19* Age (40 – 54 years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1134 0.01
0.04Age (55 + years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1134 0.05 0.07Cohabitant (1 vs. single -1) marital status 1073 -0.13 -0.11Children (1 vs. no children -1) 1073 0.09 0.10University (1 vs. lower -1) education 1134 -0.10 -0.07Employment (%) 1120 0.05 0.05Income (1-6) 1054 -0.08 -0.09 Urban (-1) vs semi-rural (1) residential area 1092 0.11
0.10*Urban (-1) vs rural (1) residential area 1092 0.11 0.09*Number of cars 1119 0.21 0.19
% car trips as driverR2
adj = .14 .18
*Partial mediation by instrumental-independence motive
![Page 14: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
14
Study 1: Results (3)
Socio-Demographic Variables n beta beta
Instrumental-independence motive 1126 0.07Affective-symbolic motive 1127 0.04
Sex (man 1, woman -1) 1129 -0.22 -0.22 Age (40 – 54 years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1134 0.02
0.04Age (55 + years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1134 0.05 0.07Cohabitant (1 vs. single -1) marital status 1073 0.10 0.09Children (1 vs. no children -1) 1073 -0.09 - 0.09University (1 vs. lower -1) education 1134 -0.04 -0.05Employment (%) 1120 -0.09 -0.09Income (1-6) 1054 -0.09 -0.09 Urban (-1) vs semi-rural (1) residential area 1092 0.03
0.03Urban (-1) vs rural (1) residential area 1092 0.07 0.07Number of cars 1119 -0.04 -0.02
% car trips as passengerR2
adj = .07 .08
![Page 15: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
15
Study 2 Impact of Routine Out-of-Home Activities on SWB
Research QuestionDoes affect associated with performance of out-of-home routine
activities influence SWB? Is this effect mediated by mood?
![Page 16: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
16
Study 2: Results (1)
Socio-Demographic Variables n betaSex (man 1 vs. woman -1) 1325 0.00Age (40 – 54 year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1322 0.00Age (55 + year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1322 0.06Cohabitant (1 vs. single -1) marital status 1316 0.06Children (1 vs. no children -1) 1318 0.01University (1 vs. lower -1) education 1319 0.01Income (1-6) 1211 0.10Employment (%) 1313 0.06Urban (1 vs rural -1) residential area 1275 -0.04Semi-rural (1 vs rural -1) residential area 1275 0.02
MoodM=4.0/SD=1.3
R2adj = .02
![Page 17: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
17
Study 2: Results (2)
Socio-Demographic Variables n beta betaSex (man 1 vs. woman -1) 1325 0.00 0.04Age (40 – 54 year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1322 0.00 0.08Age (55 + year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1) 1322 0.06 0.07Cohabitant (1 vs. single -1) marital status 1316 0.06 0.15Children (1 vs. no children -1) 1318 0.01 0.02University (1 vs. lower -1) education 1319 0.01 0.04Income (1-6) 1211 0.10 0.13Employment (%) 1313 0.06 0.10Urban (1 vs rural -1) residential area 1275 -0.04 0.01Semi-rural (1 vs rural -1) residential area 1275 0.02 0.04
SWBM=1.0/SD=1.3
R2adj = .07
![Page 18: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
18
Study 2: Results (3)
MoodR2
adj = .30
MoodWork/schoolNon-durables purchaseOther purchasesSports/exercise/outingsHobby/religious/coursesVisiting relatives/friendsRestaurants/entertainmentPicking up/leaving childrenChildren’s leisure activities
n M SD1320 1.0 1.3 990 1.1 1.2 1108 0.8 1.1 787 1.2 1.2 639 1.9 1.1 402 1.6 1.3 848 1.8 1.1 558 1.9 1.1 289 1.6 1.2 243 1.2 1.3
beta 0.32 0.19 0.06 0.04 0.07 0.12-0.04 0.04 0.07
Socio-demographic variables (R2adj = .07)
SWBM=4.0/SD=1.3
R2adj = .43
beta
0.16 0.16 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.07-0.010.050.05
beta 0.25-0.02* 0.03*-0.01 0.00* 0.01*-0.02* 0.01 0.01* 0.01*
*Full mediation
![Page 19: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
19
Study 3 SWB related to satisfaction with daily travel
Research QuestionDoes satisfaction with daily travel have direct and indirect (via satisfaction with activity performance) positive effects on SWB? Does car use play a more important role for this
than other travel modes?
![Page 20: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
20
Study 3: Measure of satisfaction with travel
To what extent do you agree to that …
I am completely satisfied with my daily travel; My travel facilitates my daily life; When I think of my daily travel the positive aspects outweighs the
negative; I do not want to change anything regarding my daily travel; My daily travel makes me feel good
![Page 21: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
21
Study 3: Results (1)
Satisfaction with travelM=3.7/SD=1.3
R2adj = .02
Socio-Demographic variables#cars in householdWeekly car use (%)Sex (man 1 vs. woman -1)Age (40 – 54 year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1)Age (55 + year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1)Cohabitant (yes 1, no -1)Children (yes 1, no -1)University (1 vs. lower -1) educationEmployment (%)Income (1-6)Urban (1 vs. rural -1) residential areaSemi-rural (1 vs. rural -1) residential area
n beta1313 -0.021290 0.081325 0.051322 -0.051322 0.141316 -0.031318 -0.051319 0.011313 0.041211 0.031275 -0.031275 0.01
![Page 22: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
22
Study 3: Results (2)
Satisfaction with travelSatisfaction with activities#cars in householdWeekly car use (%)Sex (man 1 vs. woman -1)Age (40 – 54 years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1)Age (55 + years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1)Cohabitant (yes 1, no -1)Children (yes 1, no -1,)University (1 vs. lower -1) educationEmployment (%)Income (1-6)Urban (1 vs. rural -1) residential areaSemi-rural (1 vs. rural -1) residential area
n beta beta1317 0.21 0.08*1298 0.521313 0.03 0.011290 -0.03 0.011325 -0.01 -0.051322 0.01 -0.011322 0.03 0.041316 0.09 0.06 1318 0.02 0.01 1319 0.01 -0.011313 0.05 0.061211 0.09 0.051275 -0.04 -0.031275 0.02 0.02
MoodM=1.0/SD=1.3
R2adj = .07 .31
*Partial mediation
![Page 23: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
23
Study 3: Results (3)
Satisfaction with travelSatisfaction with activities#cars in householdWeekly car use (%)Sex (man 1 vs. woman -1)Age (40 – 54 years 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1)Age (55 + year 1 vs. 18 – 39 years -1)Cohabitant (yes 1, no -1)Children (yes 1, no -1,)University (1 vs. lower -1) educationEmployment (%)Income (1-6)Urban (1 vs. rural -1) residential areaSemi-rural (1 vs. rural -1) residential area
n beta beta1317 0.23 0.15*1298 0.301313 0.06 0.051290 0.00 0.031325 0.03 0.011322 -0.08 -0.081322 0.04 0.041316 0.14 0.15 1318 0.02 0.01 1319 0.05 0.041313 0.09 0.101211 0.11 0.091275 0.02 0.021275 -0.05 -0.04
SWBM=4.0/SD=1.3R2
adj = .13 .21
*Partial mediation
![Page 24: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
24
Conclusions
Affect associated with out-of-home routine activities accounted for 30% of the variance in mood and because of full mediation, 12% of the variance in SWB. Conversely, the socio-demographic variables account for 7% of the variance in SWB and 2% of the variance in Mood. This is close to what has been found in previous research. A new finding is that routine activities have such a large impact.
Satisfaction with daily travel increases Mood and SWB, partially because (= partial mediation) it facilitates activity participation, partly because of direct effects.
In the investigated sample car use plays some role for satisfaction with daily travel. Why not a larger role?
In the investigated sample instrumental-independence motives are more important than affective-symbolic motives for car use. Why?
Only a small proportion of the variance in car use was accounted for, more by the socio-demographic variables than the psychological motives which only (partially) mediated some of the relationship between sex and car use. Why?
![Page 25: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
25
Overview of travel and SWBEttema, D., Gärling, T., Olsson, L. E., & Friman, M. (2009). Out-of-home activities, daily travel, and subjective well-being. Manuscript submitted for publication,
Svensk slutrapportJakobsson Bergstad, C., Gamble, A., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Gärling, T., & Olsson, L. E. (2009). Bilens roll för människors subjektiva välbefinnande [The role of the car for people’s subjective wellbeing] (CFK rapport No. 2). Göteborg, Sweden: Center for consumer science, School of Business, Economics, and Law, University of Gothenburg.
Study 1Jakobsson Bergstad, C., Gamble, A., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Gärling, T., & Olsson, L. E. (2009). Affective-symbolic and instrumental-independence psychological motives mediating effects of socio-demographic variables on daily car use (Göteborg Psychological Reports No. 39:3). Göteborg, Sweden: Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg.
Study 2Jakobsson Bergstad, C., Gamble, A., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Gärling, T., Ettema, D., Friman, M., & Olsson, L. E. (2009). Impacts of routine out-of-home activities on subjective well-being (Göteborg Psychological Reports No. 39:4). Göteborg, Sweden: Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg.
Study 3Jakobsson Bergstad, C., Gamble, A., Hagman, O., Polk, M., Gärling, T., Ettema, D., Friman, M., & Olsson, L. E. (2009). Subjective well-being related to satisfaction with daily travel (Göteborg Psychological Reports No. 39:5). Göteborg, Sweden: Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg.
![Page 26: The Role of Car Use for Subjective Well-Being](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062718/56812b40550346895d8f57d0/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
26