Life satisfaction in Europe and Iran: the role of self-esteem, gender identification and ambivalent sexism

Abstract Life satisfaction is one of the most relevant indicators psychological health. The present study aimed at extending previous research on life by examining its antecedents for men and women in five countries (e.g., Italy, Poland, Romania, UK, Iran), with different levels gender equality, according to Global Gender Gap Index. Besides traditional variables (i.e., age, self-esteem income), we also investigated role ambivalent sexism identification. Participants were 2561 adults (54% female). Results showed key both across countries. identification was positively associated satisfaction, only exception more egalitarian country, i.e., UK. Furthermore, less countries, Italy Iran, related benevolent stereotypes toward men. Taken together, findings underline interdependence between personal contextual dimensions sustaining as a significant variable terms existence patterns effects cultures.