|
on Economics of Happiness |
|
Issue of 2016‒01‒03
three papers chosen by |
| By: | Elena Kopnova (National Research University Higher School of Economics); Lilia Rodionova (National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | A comparative analysis of the age impact on happiness in Russia and European countries was conducted. The European Social Survey data in 2012 for 29 countries were used. On the basis of an ordered logistic regression, a U-shape relationship between age and happiness was obtained for some of the analysed countries. By using cluster analysis, the countries were divided into 3 groups, in which the age effect varies greatly. In the counties of group 1 (for example, Iceland and Norway) happiness did not change at any age or increase smoothly in old age. Group 2 (Germany and France) had a clear U-shaped age-happiness form. Russia and some counties of former Soviet Union: Ukraine, Lithuania and Estonia were analysed in group 3, where the level of happiness decreased significantly in old age (over 60). In some countries (Belgium, Switzerland, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Italy, Sweden) all people were happy, regardless of age and the assumption of age-happiness U-shape relation was not found.The socio-economic determinants of happiness were also analysed in different age groups. Income satisfaction and subjective health were the more significant characteristics. |
| Keywords: | satisfaction, happiness, econometric modelling, age groups. |
| JEL: | C35 C38 I31 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:117/ec/2015&r=hap |
| By: | Kalenkoski, Charlene M. (Texas Tech University); Oumtrakool, Eakamon (Texas Tech University) |
| Abstract: | Using data from the 2010 and 2012 American Time Use Surveys (ATUS) and the associated Well-being Modules, this paper examines how caregiving affects the well-being of retirees who are caregivers. Different caregiving activities are examined, including caring for household children, caring for non-household children, caring for household adults, and caring for non-household adults. Different aspects of well-being are examined, including how meaningful respondents find their activities and how happy, sad, tired, in pain, and stressed their activities make them. The results show that, controlling for selection into caregiving, most caregiving negatively affects the well-being of retirees. This suggests that policies that remove some of the caregiving burden from retirees would increase their well-being. |
| Keywords: | caregiving, well-being, retirement, time use |
| JEL: | D10 D13 |
| Date: | 2015–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9568&r=hap |
| By: | AMENDOLA, Adalgiso (CELPE - Centre of Labour Economics and Economic Policy, University of Salerno - Italy); DELL'ANNO, Roberto (CELPE - Centre of Labour Economics and Economic Policy, University of Salerno - Italy); PARISI, Lavinia (CELPE - Centre of Labour Economics and Economic Policy, University of Salerno - Italy) |
| Abstract: | Absolute and relative levels of income as well as income inequality are regarded as determinants of individual happiness. The paper proposes a novel set of multidimensional indexes to control for the effect of the main dimensions of relative deprivation on happiness. We decompose the overall distribution of income into “between” and “within” reference groups with respect to inequality finding that inequality between reference groups does not affect happiness and that within group inequality negatively affects individual happiness. We interpret these results as an extension of social comparison theory and a validation of the hypothesis that people perceive the income of their reference group in terms of their own future prospects. The analysis is based on the European Quality of Life Survey. |
| Keywords: | Happiness; Subjective well-Being; Life satisfaction; Inequality; Deprivation; Multidimensional index; Reference groups; Social comparison theory |
| JEL: | D63 I31 I32 |
| Date: | 2015–12–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sal:celpdp:0136&r=hap |