Subjective Wellbeing Population Norms and Inequalities in Hungary: A Large Cross-Sectional, Internet-Based Survey

Thao T P Nguyen; Fanni Rencz; Valentin Brodszky

doi:10.1016/j.jval.2024.04.005

Subjective Wellbeing Population Norms and Inequalities in Hungary: A Large Cross-Sectional, Internet-Based Survey

Value Health. 2024 Apr 17:S1098-3015(24)02337-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.04.005. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Thao T P Nguyen¹, Fanni Rencz², Valentin Brodszky³

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Community Health Research, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue City, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam.
² Department of Health Policy, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
³ Department of Health Policy, Corvinus University of Budapest, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: valentin.brodszky@uni-corvinus.hu.

PMID: 38641059
DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2024.04.005

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to provide subjective wellbeing (SWB) population norms in Hungary and explore the contribution of explanatory factors of SWB inequality among the Hungarian adult general population.

Methods: The data originated from a large representative internet-based cross-sectional survey in Hungary, which was conducted in 2020. We applied validated multi-item instruments for measuring SWB, namely Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between demographic-socioeconomic-health status and both wellbeing instruments. The concentration index (CI) was used to measure the degree of income-related inequality in wellbeing.

Results: A total of 2001 respondents were enrolled with the means ± SD WHO-5 scores and SWLS scores of 0.51 ± 0.21 and 0.51 ± 0.23, respectively. Higher household income, higher educational level, better general health status, and absence of chronic morbidity were significant positive predictors for both WHO-5 and SWLS scores. The CI of WHO-5 scores was lower than that of SWLS scores in the total sample (0.0480 vs 0.0861) and in subgroups by gender (male, 0.0584 vs 0.1035; female, 0.0302 vs 0.0726). The positive CI values implied a slight pro-rich SWB inequality in this population. The regression analyses showed a positive association of SWB with having a higher household income and a better general health status.

Conclusions: This is the first representative study in Hungary to compare population norm of 2 wellbeing instruments and analyze wellbeing inequality. Slight pro-rich inequality was found consistently with both SWB measures. Our findings support the need for health and social policies that effectively tackle inequalities in Hungary.

Keywords: Hungary; Satisfaction With Life Scale; World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index; concentration index; health inequality; population norms.