Subjective temporal well-being: Defining, measuring, and applying a new concept
Journal article, 2017

Time scarcity has become part and parcel of our modern predicament, with individuals' temporal experiences emerging as a central factor for their wellbeing. Despite the widespread experience of time-related problems, however, no comprehensive method to measure the subjective temporal dimensions of this experience have been generally accepted. This article seeks to take a step in addressing this gap by introducing a new concept called "Subjective Temporal Well-being". In the first part of the article, the new concept is defined in its two fundamental dimensions, anchoring it to the experience of a low level of perceived time pressure and a high level of satisfaction with how one's time is spent. Next, the concept is subjected to an empirical examination using a data-set consisting of 1,000 Swedish respondents. The concept is related to other, existing measures of well-being, and the particular characteristics of individuals found in the present research to have especially "high" and "low" temporal well-being are mapped. The concept of Subjective Temporal Well-being is proposed to provide a comprehensible and tangible angle for the study of key dimensions of people's everyday lives, which in some cases can be more suitable than the notion of overall well-being. Finally, the implications of the new concept are explored in terms of its possible applications in statistical surveys and its usefulness for academic research.

time pressure

leisure

welfare

Author

Jörgen Larsson

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

David Andersson

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

Jonas Nässén

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Physical Resource Theory

Cogent Social Sciences

23311886 (eISSN)

Vol. 3 1306201

Subject Categories

Work Sciences

DOI

10.1080/23311886.2017.1306201

More information

Latest update

4/21/2023