This study is an attempt to analyse the interrelationships between current, past and expected future subjective well-being (SWB) through the intermediating role of memory using the National Income Dynamics Study panel dataset for South Africa. The contribution of this study is in exploring the role of contrast (intertemporal and social) in determining (a) the current levels of SWB and (b) the drivers of recall bias, within a causal framework in the context of a country with low average SWB and high SWB inequality. The results indicate significant presence of hedonic adaptation and reveals past and future contrast as important correlates of current subjective well-being. In addition, a perceived improvement in current happiness from the past is associated with higher levels of current SWB, highlighting the intermediating role of memory. Memory, however, is observed to be biased with only 42% accuracy. Higher levels of current subjective well-being are found to enhance the probability of correct recall of the past. An overall improvement bias is evident among those in the lower segment of the SWB distribution. The results reinforce the hypothesised simultaneous relationships between current SWB, intertemporal contrast and recall behaviour. Furthermore, the differences in our findings from European studies emphasize the relevance of context in driving these relationships.

本研究尝试使用南非国家收入动态研究面板数据集，通过记忆的中介作用分析当前、过去和预期未来主观幸福感 (SWB) 之间的相互关系。本研究的贡献在于探索对比（跨期和社会）在确定 (a) 当前主观幸福感水平和 (b) 回忆偏见的驱动因素中的作用，在一个因果框架内SWB 和高 SWB 不平等。结果表明享乐适应的显着存在，并揭示过去和未来的对比是当前主观幸福感的重要关联因素。此外，与过去相比，当前幸福感的感知改善与更高水平的当前 SWB 相关，突出了记忆的中介作用。记忆，然而，观察到只有 42% 的准确度有偏差。发现当前主观幸福感的更高水平可以提高正确回忆过去的可能性。在 SWB 分布的较低部分中，总体改善偏差很明显。结果加强了当前主观幸福感、跨期对比和回忆行为之间假设的同时关系。此外，我们与欧洲研究结果的差异强调了背景在推动这些关系方面的相关性。结果加强了当前主观幸福感、跨期对比和回忆行为之间假设的同时关系。此外，我们与欧洲研究结果的差异强调了背景在推动这些关系方面的相关性。结果加强了当前主观幸福感、跨期对比和回忆行为之间假设的同时关系。此外，我们与欧洲研究结果的差异强调了背景在推动这些关系方面的相关性。