The Effect of Employees' Feelings of Benign Envy and Malicious Envy on Subjective Well-Being: Comparison of Public and Private Institutions

The general purpose of this study is to determine whether benign envy and malicious envy have an effect on subjective well-being. In addition, it is aimed to investigate whether demographic characteristics and employment status in public and private institutions will make a difference in the variables. Therefore, the study was designed using a relational and interactional model. The study's theoretical foundations are based on oedomanic and hedonic cycle theory, multilateral mismatch theory, adaptation level theory, ecological theory, social comparison theory, and equity theory. The data from 1,465 teachers working in public and private schools in Osmaniye, Hatay, and Adana provinces were analyzed with the SPSS 27 program. The findings indicate a high positive relationship between benign envy and malicious envy, and a moderate positive relationship between commitment and competence, which constitute subjective well-being. However, there is no interaction between benign envy and malicious envy and subjective well-being. There is no emotional difference between working in public and governmental organizations. Some demographic characteristics may reveal significant differences between benign envy and malicious envy and subjective well-being. While some of the data obtained supports the results indicated by previous literature studies, some reveal a contrary finding.