A Comparative Study on Life Satisfaction and Well-Being Among the Residents of Urban and Rural Communities

Abstract

Life satisfaction is an individual’s subjective evaluation of their life, assessing how well it fulfills their aspirations, objectives, and expectations. It is influenced by factors like relationships, happiness, financial stability, personal accomplishments, and health. Well-being is an umbrella term that includes not only life satisfaction but also other aspects of a person’s physical, mental, and social health. Well-being is subjective, meaning it varies from person to person and is impacted by a variety of internal and external elements such as genetics, socioeconomic status, environmental circumstances, and life events. Life satisfaction and well-being can differ significantly between rural and urban areas due to various factors- access to services, economic opportunities, social networks, environmental factors, and community cohesion. This paper aims to understand the influence of these factors on the life satisfaction and well-being of people living in urban and rural areas, through a comparative study on life satisfaction and well-being among residents of urban and rural communities. A sample of 100 individuals from both urban and rural areas was selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference between life satisfaction and well-being among rural and urban communities, against the alternative hypothesis suggesting a significant difference.  The test used for the data analysis was one-way ANOVA. The study found that life satisfaction and well-being are significantly higher among urban residents compared to rural ones, attributed to factors such as access to amenities, employment opportunities, transportation, education, healthcare services, entertainment, networking, and social interactions. Rural residents face challenges due to limited resources and opportunities, leading to lower levels of satisfaction and well-being. The awareness of lacking essential amenities in rural settings also contributes to increased distress among rural residents. Comparing life satisfaction and well-being helps assess the quality of life in different settings, revealing factors like access to amenities, social cohesion, economic stability, and environmental quality. It might also help in exploring interventions aimed at bridging the gap between urban and rural communities to achieve equal well-being for all.