This study unpacks the question of subjective wellbeing (SWB) inequality between partners in South Africa in the context of declining overall SWB inequality. The analysis, using the National Income Dynamics Study panel for the period 2012–2016, reveals through the decomposition of Theil inequality indices that the reduction in overall SWB inequality has been on the back of reducing inter-household inequality, while intra household inequality between partners has in fact increased in the period of study. The zero-inflated beta regression as well as Oaxaca Blinder decomposition provides evidence of the existence of an intra-household SWB Kuznets curve. The relationship between SWB inequality and household income that emerges from this analysis shows that the reliance on improving household level variables like household income and access to public amenities is not sufficient in reducing intra-household SWB inequality. Further, education based positive assortative mating is found to reduce SWB inequality between partners lending credence to the argument that power dynamics plays an important role in determining the SWB distribution within the household. The findings of the study points to the need to focus on intra-household power dynamics to reduce the SWB gap between partners.

这项研究揭露了在整体合作社不平等程度不断下降的背景下，南非合作伙伴之间主观幸福感（SWB）不平等的问题。使用2012-2016年国家收入动态研究小组的分析，通过Theil不平等指数的分解，揭示了整体SWB不平等的减少是由于减少了家庭之间的不平等，而伙伴之间的家庭内部不平等实际上在学习期间有所增加。零膨胀的beta回归以及Oaxaca Blinder分解提供了家庭内部SWB库兹涅茨曲线存在的证据。从该分析得出的SWB不平等与家庭收入之间的关系表明，依靠改善家庭水平变量（如家庭收入和获得公共设施）不足以减少家庭内部SWB不平等。此外，发现基于教育的正向交配可以减少伴侣之间的SWB不平等，这有力地证明了动力动态在决定家庭内部SWB分布中起着重要作用。该研究的结果表明，需要关注家庭内部的动力动态，以减少合作伙伴之间的SWB差距。人们发现，基于教育的正向交配可以减少伴侣之间的SWB不平等，这有力地证明了动力动态在决定家庭内部SWB分布方面起着重要作用。该研究的结果表明，需要关注家庭内部的动力动态，以减少合作伙伴之间的SWB差距。人们发现，基于教育的正向交配可以减少伴侣之间的SWB不平等，这有力地证明了动力动态在决定家庭内部SWB分布方面起着重要作用。该研究的结果表明，需要关注家庭内部的动力动态，以减少合作伙伴之间的SWB差距。