Unravelling the Determinants of Life Satisfaction in India: A DEMATEL-Based Structural Approach

Abstract

Life satisfaction (LS) is a crucial component of subjective well-being. This study investigates determinants that influence life satisfaction among youth in the Indian context. This research employs DEMATEL technique, a multi-criteria decision-making method, to categorise the determinants by analyzing causal relationships among the determinants.  In this study, cause-and-effect relationship revealed that altruism is the primary determinant of life satisfaction, while demographics emerged as the second most relevant causal determinant. Understanding the determinants of life satisfaction helps policymakers design targeted interventions that can improve the population’s overall well-being. This study can facilitate a more comprehensive comprehension of the determinants that influence life satisfaction and their reciprocal influence on one another.