Happiness: A Review and Critical Evaluation of Culture and Well-Being E

Ethnic Identity and Well-Being Summary. The purpose of this research is to attain a better understanding of the potentially protective effects of ethnic identity by observing the daily stressful demands of Chinese and Mexican adolescents through a daily diary study (Kiang, Yip, Gonzales-Backen, Witkow, &Fuligni, 2006). The researchers hypothesize that ethnic identity will protect against the negative effect of normative stressors (Kiang et al., 2006). Happiness was measured by factors that maximize quality of life and minimize anxiety through the analysis of ethnic regard, ethnic centrality and the interaction of the two and their affect on well-being (Kiang et al., 2006). The study focused on ethnic identity, self-esteem, stressful demands and daily well being using various scales and a daily diary checklist. The 2 week study consisted of 415 participants of Mexican and Chinese background in the 9th grade from the Los Angeles metropolitan area recruited from 3 high schools (Kiang et al., 2006). Ethnic iden tity was found to play a role in shaping who we are by increasing happiness and reducing anxiety in students with higher ethnic regard (Kiang et al., 2006). These results indicate a direct psychological benefit from holding positive perceptions of one’s ethnicity (Kiang et al., 2006). Evaluation. Consumption and Happiness Summary. The author proposes a theory based on previously tested research hypotheses on the relationship between consumption and selective well-being (SWB) on national and international levels (Ahuvia, 2002). Ahuvia (2002) proposes that SWB is increased by higher standards of living which create a cultural environment where people maximize their personal happiness by minimizing their social ob... ...adapt into men’s rolls, while men stay true to theirs. A study of such immense proportions and complexity has much room for error and thus room for improvement. The researchers should take into account various age groups and participants who are not on college campuses as they are not always a reflection of the society as a whole. Also, in addition to a questionnaire, a peer-review about the participant would be useful in order to more accurately obtain a holistic depiction the participant especially in cultures where pride is enhanced or suppressed. Future research in this area should be promising as women stepping out of homes and into the workforce is more common now than ever. The implications of these actions on the future of our society and its well-being could be better understood through study of the emotional affect of gender roles and culture.