HOME BEYOND PHYSICAL SPACE: UNDERSTANDING LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG WOMEN OF COLOR

Abstract

This study investigates life satisfaction among women of color and its relationship to their sense of home. Life satisfaction, considered a component of subjective well-being (SWB), is influenced by various factors such as health, income, work quality, personality, personal circumstances, and external environments. However, standards for life satisfaction vary across cultures and are associated with individuals' needs and salient cultural values. Discrimination and other processes can also impact life satisfaction, with ethnic minority members often reporting lower levels of satisfaction due to experiencing more frequent stressful life events. The current research aims to understand the predictors and processes contributing to life satisfaction specifically among women of color.

The study adopts a cognitive approach to SWB, where individuals evaluate their life quality based on personal criteria rather than externally imposed standards. This perspective is particularly relevant when studying individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, who may hold different values and perceptions of what constitutes a "good life." Previous studies on gender differences in life satisfaction have yielded mixed results, with some finding higher satisfaction levels among women, while others finding no difference or even lower satisfaction levels for women. Therefore, understanding the impact of various factors and processes on life satisfaction becomes crucial, considering the cultural and gender variations in standards for satisfaction