Subjective Well-Being of Chinese Residents in Lhokseumawe: A Demographic Analysis Based on Gender and Education

Abstract

Subjective well-being is one of the essential indicators in assessing an individual's quality of life. The Chinese ethnic group, as a minority in Indonesia, faces various social and cultural challenges that may affect their subjective well-being. This study aims to examine differences in the subjective well-being of Chinese residents in Lhokseumawe based on gender and educational level. The research method used a quantitative approach with a comparative research design. The sample consisted of 96 respondents selected using the incidental sampling technique. The research instrument was the "Subjective Well-being" questionnaire developed by Diener and Tov, measuring life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Data analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U Test to compare groups based on gender and educational level. The results showed significant differences in subjective well-being based on these two variables. Women had higher subjective well-being than men, while individuals with higher education levels exhibited better subjective well-being than those with only a high school education. The findings confirm that demographic factors play a role in subjective well-being, highlighting the need for more targeted interventions to enhance minority well-being. The implications of this study can serve as a foundation for developing programs to improve the subjective well-being of the Chinese community in Lhokseumawe. Further research is recommended to expand the geographical scope and employ a longitudinal approach to understand changes in subjective well-being over time.