Comparison of Ethnic Identity and Subjective Well-Being In Iranian Ethnicities

The aim of study was to measure subjective well-being in Iranian ethnicities. Iranian community has diverse and fragmented ethnicities with special characteristics which affect interpersonal relationships, attitude, health and education of family members, especially in young people. So, status of these components among Iranian ethnicities was compared in the present study. The four hundred twenty six students from Shahid Beheshti University (141 Tork, 71 Kord, 91 Lor and 123 Fars) were recruited by volunteer sampling. Data collection was done using Multi - Ethnic Identity Scale (MEIM), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Data analysis was done by MANOVA, independent t-tests and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results showed significant differences between ethnic identities, subjective well-being and life satisfaction subscale across ethnic groups. Ethnic identity and subjective well-being scores significantly was different across gender. Also, male students scored higher in the ethnic identity but female students scored higher in the subjective well-being. These findings were discussed based on literature and theoretical foundations of ethnic identity and subjective well-being. It could be concluded that ethnic identity and subjective well-being is different in the Iranian ethnic groups.