Victoria C. Plaut, Department of Psychology, University of Georgia; Glenn Adams and Stephanie L. Anderson, Department of Psychology, University of Kansas.
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Does attractiveness buy happiness? “It depends on where you’re from”
Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2009.01242.x
Copyright © 2009 IARR
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How to Cite
PLAUT, V. C., ADAMS, G. and ANDERSON, S. L. (2009), Does attractiveness buy happiness? “It depends on where you’re from”. Personal Relationships, 16: 619–630. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2009.01242.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 8 DEC 2009
- Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009
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Abstract
Previous studies document that attractiveness predicts life outcomes, including well-being and social connectedness. This study investigates whether the attractiveness–outcomes link is especially strong in settings, such as many urban areas, that promote relationship constructions as a product of personal choice. This link may weaken in settings, such as many rural areas, that promote less voluntaristic-independent relationship constructions. Analyses of survey data from a national representative (United States) sample supported these hypotheses. Attractiveness (operationalized as waist-to-hip ratio) predicted well-being and social connectedness among urban (n = 257) but not rural (n = 330) women. Social connectedness mediated the urban–rural moderation of the attractiveness/well-being link. Findings suggest that frequently observed attractiveness effects are the product of particular, modern social contexts that promote relationship choice.