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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2024–11–18
seven papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Martina Metzger; Hans Walter Steinhauer; Jennifer Pédussel Wu |
| Abstract: | In this project, we analyze whether the arts can mitigate negative impacts of social distancing and isolation on mental health and wellbeing, ease the burden of closed day-care and school facilities on families, and preserve attitudes of solidarity and trust. Using the SOEP-CoV questionnaire, we examine whether experience with music enabled individuals and households to handle social isolation and distancing rules and requirements better than their peers without this artistic experience. Research has shown that persistent shocks on income have a significant impact on happiness and hence on social and health well-being, thus, we explore the importance of music in this context. Using discrete choice econometric estimation techniques, this paper finds that music does indeed mitigate the negative impact of prolonged social distancing proxied for by life satisfaction. In addition, musical practice leads to feelings of less social isolation during this period. |
| Keywords: | Covid-19 Pandemic, Music, Happiness, Isolation Panel |
| JEL: | Z11 I00 D1 C23 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp1211 |
| By: | Piergiorgio Pilo (Gran Sasso Science Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the relationship between the presence of Multinational companies (MNCs) and urban life satisfaction. The aim is to understand the implications of MNCs by looking at the (i) degree of MNCs’ embeddedness in the local economic structure, (ii) the role of the MNCs’ heterogeneity in terms of sectors and activities, and (iii) and the cultural context of the location where MNCs invest. The empirical analysis employs a novel panel dataset of 101 European cities for 2012, 2015, and 2019 that integrates information from Eurostat's Perception Survey, Orbis-Bureau van Dijk, Eurobarometer, and World Input-Output Dataset. Results suggest that urban life satisfaction might be positively associated with MNC's degree of embeddedness in the local economic fabric. However, this depends on MNCs' sector and activity heterogeneity and the local cultural context. Areas with a closed cultural context seem to benefit less from the presence of embedded MNCs. |
| Keywords: | urban life satisfaction; globalization; multinational companies; embeddedness; input-output tables |
| JEL: | R10 I31 F60 F23 D57 Z13 |
| Date: | 2023–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahy:wpaper:wp41 |
| By: | Costi, Chiara (University of Luxembourg); Clark, Andrew E. (Paris School of Economics); D'Ambrosio, Conchita (University of Luxembourg); Lepinteur, Anthony (University of Luxembourg); Menta, Giorgia (LISER) |
| Abstract: | We here exploit an exogenous shift in working conditions for public-sector workers in Italy to establish the causal effect of a return-to-office (RTO) mandate on worker health and well-being. In nine waves of quarterly panel data we first find a significant fall in teleworking for those affected by the RTO mandate, who also spend more time outdoors, work fewer hours, and interact less with relatives and friends. The net effect of these lifestyle changes on a battery of health and well-being measures following the return to office work is insignificant. The place of work post-pandemic has neither positive nor negative health implications. |
| Keywords: | return to office, working from home, health, well-being |
| JEL: | I18 I31 J88 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17355 |
| By: | Mohanty, Aatishya (University of Aberdeen); Powdthavee, Nattavudh (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and IZA); Tang, CK (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore); Oswald, Andrew J (University of Warwick, IZA and CAGE) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies natural disasters and the psychological costs of climate change. It presents what we believe to be the first evidence that higher temperature variability and not a higher level of temperature is what predicts natural disasters. This conclusion holds whether or not we control for the (incorrectly signed) impact of temperature. The analysis draws upon longdifferences regression equations using GDIS data from 1960-2018 for 176 countries and the contiguous states of the USA. Results are checked on FEMA data. Wellbeing impact losses are calculated. To our knowledge, the paper’s results are unknown to natural and social scientists. |
| Keywords: | Global warming; temperature standard deviation; human wellbeing; happiness; disasters; BRFSS; WVS JEL Classification: Q54; I31 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cge:wacage:725 |
| By: | David Frayman; Christian Krekel; Richard Layard; Sara MacLennan; Isaac Parkes |
| Abstract: | Choosing policies that most improve wellbeing would radically change government priorities. David Frayman, Christian Krekel, Richard Layard, Sara MacLennan and Isaac Parkes explain the science behind the new approach. |
| Keywords: | wellbeing, public spending, community wellbeing, mental health, schools, apprenticeships, police, crime, research and development, roads, rail, pension, house building, planning |
| Date: | 2024–10–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepcnp:687 |
| By: | Breitkopf, Laura (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods); Chowdhury, Shyamal (University of Sydney); Priyam, Shambhavi (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods); Schildberg-Hörisch, Hannah (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods); Sutter, Matthias (Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods) |
| Abstract: | We study the relationship between parenting style and a broad range of children's skills and outcomes. Based on survey and experimental data from 5, 580 children and their parents, we find that children exposed to positive parenting have higher IQs, are more altruistic, open to new experiences, conscientious, and agreeable, have a higher locus of control, self-control, and self-esteem, perform better in scholarly achievement tests, behave more prosocially in everyday life, and are more satisfied with their life. Positive parenting is negatively associated with children's neuroticism, patience, engagement in risky behaviors, and their emotional and behavioral problems. |
| Keywords: | parenting style, child outcomes, economic preferences, personality traits, IQ |
| JEL: | C91 D01 D10 |
| Date: | 2024–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17336 |
| By: | Fazio, Andrea; Reggiani, Tommaso; Santori, Paolo |
| Abstract: | This paper empirically tests Max Weber's thesis on how religious narratives, particularly the Protestant Ethic, influence attitudes toward wealth redistribution. Weber suggested that the Protestant Reformation, led to the belief that economic success was a sign of divine favor, legitimizing wealth inequality. Using a variation of the dictator game with "blessed" framing, we measure how participants' redistribution behaviors change when primed with this narrative. Our results show that low-income Protestants exposed to the "blessed" narrative are less likely to redistribute wealth compared to Catholics, supporting Weber's idea that Protestants justify inequality through divine providence. Furthermore, a narrative analysis reveals that Protestants interpret "blessing" as divine election, while Catholics focus more on well-being. These findings suggest that religious narratives significantly shape economic behaviors and preferences for redistribution, providing empirical support for Weber's thesis. |
| Keywords: | dictator game, MaxWeber, pro-social behaviour, redistribution |
| JEL: | J14 J15 Z12 Z1 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1505 |