title: Views of a good life and allostatic load: Physiological correlates of theories of a good life depend on the socioeconomic context.
abstract: This research examines the relationship between one's theory of a good life and allostatic load, a marker of cumulative biological risk, and how this relationship differs by socioeconomic status. Among adults with a bachelor's degree or higher, those who saw individual characteristics (e.g., personal happiness, effort) as part of a good life had lower levels of allostatic load than those who did not. In contrast, among adults with less than a bachelor's degree, those who saw supportive relationships as part of a good life had lower levels of allostatic load than those who did not. These findings extend past research on socioeconomic differences in the emphasis individual or relational factors and suggest that one's theory of a good life has health implications.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Foundations of Health Research Center, 1801 Maple Ave., Suite 2450, Evanston, IL 60201.
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Foundations of Health Research Center, 1801 Maple Ave., Suite 2450, Evanston, IL 60201.
authors.forename: Alexandra Halleen
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Foundations of Health Research Center, 1801 Maple Ave., Suite 2450, Evanston, IL 60201.
authors.forename: Hannah Benner
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Waldfogel
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Foundations of Health Research Center, 1801 Maple Ave., Suite 2450, Evanston, IL 60201.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: good life; health; lay theories; physiology; socioeconomic status