Satisfaction in times of crisis: Religious values and gender stereotypes as mediators between perceived income level and life satisfaction in Latin America from a gender perspective

Description

This study examined religious values - measured in religiosity and spirituality - and gender stereotypes as potential mediators of the relationship between perceived income level and life satisfaction of men and women in Latin American countries during periods of crisis. Through a Structural Equation Model and using a sample from the World Values Survey (Nmen=12,008; Nwomen=12,848), our results reveal that the adoption of religious values -only aspects related to spirituality- and gender stereotypes positively influence men's and, even more, women's life satisfaction. Nevertheless, when we evaluate the total effect, given the mediating role of the referred variables, the relationship between the level of perceived income and life satisfaction weakens, due to the resulting competitive model. Apart from a specific crisis and due to their greater adherence to religious values and gender stereotypes, women could assume a permanent behaviour of subjection to these mediator variables in order to achieve satisfaction with their lives and, consequently, the harmonisation of their individual objectives or goals with those demanded by society could be hindered.

Period	3 Aug 2023