Unbraiding the effect of policy benefits on subjective well-being: the mediating role of work-related well-being

Purpose This piece of research attempts to find out the association between work-related well-being (WWB), benefits of scheme (BoS) and subjective well-being (SWB). The study was conducted on handloom weavers in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Design/methodology/approach The association among the variables was studied using structural equation modeling on Amos 22. The tripartite relationship of WWB, BoS and SWB was explored using causal steps approach. Bootstrapping of a sample size of 2,000 was performed. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 403 weavers, and convenient sampling was done. Findings A direct link was found by the structural equation modeling (SEM) results between benefits of schemeBoS and SWB, which was reflected by a value of r ˆ2 (0.33) at significance level p < 0.001. The standardized indirect effect of BoS on SWB was found to be 0.158 ( p < 0.001). In the presence of WWB, the relationship between BoS and SWB (direct effect) stands significant, thus making this a case of partial mediation. The value of R ˆ2 is increased to 48.1% in presence of a mediating variable. Research limitations/implications The study indicated the importance of WWB and how it can enhance SWB. Originality/value The relationship between SWB, WWB and policy benefits has still not been explored.