Unterschiede in der Zufriedenheit verschiedener Lebensbereiche zwischen Ost- und Westdeutschen in den Jahren 1991, 2006 und 2020

Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung Wie entwickelte sich die allgemeine und bereichsspezifische Lebenszufriedenheit in Ost- und Westdeutschland zwischen 1991 und 2020?

Methode Auf Basis dreier repräsentativer Befragungen aus den Jahren 1991, 2006 und 2020 wurde die Lebenszufriedenheit in Ost- und Westdeutschland durch Mittelwertsvergleiche und Signifikanztestungen untersucht. Der Einfluss soziodemografischer Variablen wurde mittels univariater Varianzanalyse berechnet.

Ergebnisse 1991 bestanden große Unterschiede in der allgemeinen Lebenszufriedenheit und den Bereichen Wohnen, Freizeit, Gesundheit, Finanzen und Beruf. Dabei berichteten Befragte in Ostdeutschland deutlich geringere Werte. Diese Differenzen glichen sich über den Erhebungszeitraum deutlich an.

Fazit Die allgemeine und bereichsspezifische Lebenszufriedenheit in Ost- und Westdeutschland glichen sich über den Untersuchungszeitraum an. Die verbesserten Lebensbedingungen in Ostdeutschland könnten dabei eine entscheidende Rolle spielen.

Abstract

Research Question How did the general and area specific life satisfaction evolve between East and West Germany between 1991 and 2020?

Methods Based on three representative surveys in the years 1991, 2006 and 2020 life satisfaction between East and West Germany was examined using mean comparison with tests of significance. The influence of relevant sociodemographic variables was calculated using Univariate Variance Analyses.

Results 1991 large differences in the general life satisfaction as well as with satisfaction in the areas of living, spare time, health, finances and occupational did occur, with people in East Germany reporting to be less satisfied. These differences align during the observation time.

Discussion The discrepancy in the general and area specific life satisfaction between East and West Germans did align during the last 30 years. A reason might be the improved economical living conditions in East Germany.

Schlüsselwörter

Lebenszufriedenheit - Lebenszufriedenheitsbereiche - Ost/Westdeutschland - Ost/Westvergleich - Wiedervereinigung

Key words

life satisfaction - area specific life satisfaction - East/West Germany - east west comparison - reunification

Publication History

Received: 29 April 2022

Accepted: 04 September 2022

Article published online:
02 November 2022

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