Mobility lifestyles and residential dissonance; Effects on travel behavior, perceived health, and life satisfaction

Abstract

In recent decades, researchers have increasingly focused on lifestyle as a key factor shaping travel behavior, employing various definitions and measurement methods. This study adopts the “values and behavioral orientations” approach to assess underlying mobility lifestyles in the Turku region, using both travel-related attitudes and residential preferences as key indicators. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of economic and/or geographical constraints—defined as residential mismatch—in clustering residents and examining how the alignment or misalignment between mobility lifestyles and residential locations influences travel behavior and well-being. Using data from a digital map-based survey (N = 493), we identified four distinct mobility lifestyle groups: pro-sustainable urbanites, multimodal price-conscious individuals, time-conscious suburbanites, and auto-oriented residents. Among these, the auto-oriented group reported the lowest levels of life satisfaction and perceived physical health regardless of where they live. However, the study also found that residential mismatch negatively affects the self-reported physical health of pro-sustainable urbanites and time-conscious suburbanites more than other groups. Variations in well-being indicators can be attributed to travel behavior only in part. Notably, distance traveleld by bike had the most significant positive impact on both self-reported physical health and life satisfaction. Additionally, total distance traveled—across all modes, including car travel—was positively associated with physical health and particularly life satisfaction. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote sustainable mobility while enhancing social inclusion, transport equity, and overall well-being.