The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore

This study examines cultural and family influences on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Chinese and Malays in Singapore. It seeks to uncover potential differences, and reveal the truth behind the common notion that the Malays are happier than the Chinese. The 9 GLOBE cultural dimensions and 6 famil...

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Main Authors: Chan, Sarah Hian May, Siti Halimahtul Raudah
Other Authors: Ng Yew Kwang
Format: Final Year Project
Language:English
Published: 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10356/69771
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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spelling sg-ntu-dr.10356-697712019-12-10T13:36:35Z The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore Chan, Sarah Hian May Siti Halimahtul Raudah Ng Yew Kwang School of Humanities and Social Sciences DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Culture DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social psychology DRNTU::Social sciences::Political science::Political institutions::Asia::Singapore This study examines cultural and family influences on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Chinese and Malays in Singapore. It seeks to uncover potential differences, and reveal the truth behind the common notion that the Malays are happier than the Chinese. The 9 GLOBE cultural dimensions and 6 family dimensions namely early marriages, filial piety, family satisfaction, family eating habits, and influence of family’s perceived SWB, are employed together with 7 control variables. Data is obtained from responses to a questionnaire designed to assess the aforementioned cultural and family dimensions, as well as levels of SWB. Empirical results show no statistical differences in levels of SWB, challenging the belief that Malays are happier than Chinese in Singapore. However, relative importance of culture and family dimensions differed, suggesting that SWB for Chinese is more influenced by family practices while culture plays a more important role for Malays’ SWB. Analysis also suggests that the respondents’ perception of the SWB levels of their parents, spouse and siblings affect the SWB of Chinese and Malays differently. Partly due to racial sensitivity in Singapore, such studies delving into social differences between racial groups is almost non-existent. Hence this study provides insight into a much uncharted research area. Policy implications and suggested future research extensions are also discussed. Bachelor of Arts 2017-03-25T07:18:30Z 2017-03-25T07:18:30Z 2017 Final Year Project (FYP) http://hdl.handle.net/10356/69771 en Nanyang Technological University 58 p. application/pdf
institution Nanyang Technological University
building NTU Library
country Singapore
collection DR-NTU
language English
topic DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Culture
DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social psychology
DRNTU::Social sciences::Political science::Political institutions::Asia::Singapore
spellingShingle DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Culture
DRNTU::Social sciences::Sociology::Social psychology
DRNTU::Social sciences::Political science::Political institutions::Asia::Singapore
Chan, Sarah Hian May
Siti Halimahtul Raudah
The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore
description This study examines cultural and family influences on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Chinese and Malays in Singapore. It seeks to uncover potential differences, and reveal the truth behind the common notion that the Malays are happier than the Chinese. The 9 GLOBE cultural dimensions and 6 family dimensions namely early marriages, filial piety, family satisfaction, family eating habits, and influence of family’s perceived SWB, are employed together with 7 control variables. Data is obtained from responses to a questionnaire designed to assess the aforementioned cultural and family dimensions, as well as levels of SWB. Empirical results show no statistical differences in levels of SWB, challenging the belief that Malays are happier than Chinese in Singapore. However, relative importance of culture and family dimensions differed, suggesting that SWB for Chinese is more influenced by family practices while culture plays a more important role for Malays’ SWB. Analysis also suggests that the respondents’ perception of the SWB levels of their parents, spouse and siblings affect the SWB of Chinese and Malays differently. Partly due to racial sensitivity in Singapore, such studies delving into social differences between racial groups is almost non-existent. Hence this study provides insight into a much uncharted research area. Policy implications and suggested future research extensions are also discussed.
author2 Ng Yew Kwang
author_facet Ng Yew Kwang
Chan, Sarah Hian May
Siti Halimahtul Raudah
format Final Year Project
author Chan, Sarah Hian May
Siti Halimahtul Raudah
author_sort Chan, Sarah Hian May
title The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore
title_short The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore
title_full The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore
title_fullStr The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore
title_full_unstemmed The influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between Chinese and Malays in Singapore
title_sort influence of culture and family values on subjective well-being : comparison between chinese and malays in singapore
publishDate 2017
url http://hdl.handle.net/10356/69771
_version_ 1681044408804311040