본 연구는 관계재가 행복에 미치는 직․간접적 영향을 알아보기 위해 2009년 「생활시간조사」 자료를 이용하여 행복, (상대)소득, 관계재의 관계에 관한 실증분석을 시도하였다. 그 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 관계재(관계시간)는 행복(만족도)에 긍정적 영향을 미친다. 이 긍정적 영향은 교제 및 가족관계 활동보다는 참여봉사활동 유형의 관계재에서 더 크다. 둘째, 참여봉사활동의 경우를 제외하면 관계재가 행복에 미치는 이 긍정적 영향력은 (개인의) 소득이 증가할수록 감소한다. 셋째, 행복(만족도)은 개인의 소득수준과 더불어 타인소득과의 상대적인 비교를 통해서도 영향을 받는다. 이상의 결과는 다음과 같은 정책적 시사점을 제공한다. 첫째, 인간 삶의 행복을 증진하기 위해서는 관계재의 생산 및 소비와 조화될 수 있는 소득 및 노동 정책이 강구될 필요가 있다. 둘째, 참여봉사활동 성격의 관계재와 밀접히 관련되어 있는 사회적 경제 영역의 확산을 도모하기 위한 다양한 대책의 수립 및 추진이 요구된다.
This study analyzes the relationship among happiness, (relative) income and relational goods using KLTS (Korean Living Time Survey) in 2009 to figure out the direct and/or indirect effects of relational goods on happiness. The results are as follows. First, we found that relational goods which are represented by the time spent in relationships are positively related with happiness or life satisfaction, and that volunteer activities have a bigger impact on life satisfaction than social or family-related activities. Second, the positive effect of relational goods on happiness decreases as income increases, except for volunteer activities. Third, happiness or life satisfaction is significantly related with both income level and comparison with other’s income. We believe that our findings suggests some interesting policy implications. First, it is necessary to adopt the income and labor policies that work well with producing and consuming relational goods to increase overall life satisfaction level. Second, considering positive effect of volunteer activities on happiness, the importance of social economy sphere that is related to relational goods should be emphasized.
This study analyzes the relationship among happiness, (relative) income and relational goods using KLTS (Korean Living Time Survey) in 2009 to figure out the direct and/or indirect effects of relational goods on happiness. The results are as follows. First, we found that relational goods which are represented by the time spent in relationships are positively related with happiness or life satisfaction, and that volunteer activities have a bigger impact on life satisfaction than social or family-related activities. Second, the positive effect of relational goods on happiness decreases as income increases, except for volunteer activities. Third, happiness or life satisfaction is significantly related with both income level and comparison with other’s income. We believe that our findings suggests some interesting policy implications. First, it is necessary to adopt the income and labor policies that work well with producing and consuming relational goods to increase overall life satisfaction level. Second, considering positive effect of volunteer activities on happiness, the importance of social economy sphere that is related to relational goods should be emphasized.
