Elections, trust, and subjective well-being: the moderating role of Internet use

Abstract

This study utilizes data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS 2022) to explore the relationship between electoral participation and the subjective well-being of Chinese citizens aged 18 and above. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between electoral participation and subjective well-being, moderated by individual characteristics (age) and regional disparities (eastern, central, and western regions). Specifically, the relationship is stronger among individuals under 60 and in western regions. Mechanism analysis suggests that trust in government and self-trust serve as critical mediators in this relationship, while internet use negatively moderates the association between electoral participation and subjective well-being. This study highlights the importance of enhancing transparency and inclusiveness in grassroots elections, improving governmental responsiveness, and regulating online information dissemination to potentially strengthen the positive correlation between electoral participation and citizens' subjective well-being. It contributes novel evidence on the psychological and social effects of grassroots democracy in China, broadening the research perspective on electoral participation.