Determinants of life satisfaction among Ghanaians aged 15 to 49 years: A further analysis of the 2017/2018 Multiple Cluster Indicator Survey
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Date
2022
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PLOS ONE
Abstract
The inclusion of life satisfaction in government policies as a tracker of the social and economic
progress of citizens has been recommended. This has encouraged the scientific
investigation of life satisfaction levels of people in tandem with factors responsible for these
levels. Only a few studies have attempted to do this in Ghana with mixed findings. This
study, therefore, extends previous literature by examining the determinants of life satisfaction
among Ghanaians in two ways: a full sample and a gender-stratified sample. We analysed
cross-sectional data from the 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six
(MICS 6). A sample of 20,059 women and men of ages ranging from 15 to 49 years participated
in this study. The Cantril’s Self-Anchoring Ladder Life Satisfaction scale was used to
capture the life satisfaction of participants alongside relevant sociodemographic questions.
About 35% of participants reported they were satisfied in life with males reporting more suffering
levels [39.59%; 95% CI:36.38, 42.88] and females more thriving levels [36.41%; 95%
CI:35.01, 37.84]. In the full sample multivariable model, gender, age, parity, education, marital
status, wealth index, and region of residence were significantly associated with life satisfaction.
Gender variations were also found across these associations. These findings
collectively provide useful information for policymakers and practitioners to optimize interventions
for the Ghanaian population aimed at improving life satisfaction. Evidence from this
study also calls on the government of Ghana to begin tracking the life satisfaction of her
citizens.
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Research Article