Unveiling the formation mechanisms of urban residents' subjective well-being in the digital age: A conceptual framework

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is reshaping daily life and integrating virtual space activities as an essential component of people's everyday life. However, current literature lacks a thorough investigation of how virtual spaces influence residents' subjective well-being (SWB). Grounded in an interdisciplinary perspective, we propose a conceptual framework to interpret how physical space and virtual space jointly contribute to the SWB. This framework emphasizes the role of virtual dimensions within the Environment-Behavior-SWB. It serves as a foundation for future empirical research on SWB in the digital age, offering practical tools to guide the design and evaluation of public policies, with the goal of promoting urban sustainability.