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on Economics of Happiness |
|
Issue of 2024–12–09
four papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Yoko KONISHI (Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)) |
| Abstract: | Did subjective well-being change in Japan with the prolonged restriction of activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Data from a Cabinet Office survey of 50, 000 people from pre-pandemic times to the present were used to observe how demographic variables, economic status, connections with others, and regional amenities affected their subjective well-being. Using the most recent survey results, it is observed that applying digital technology to work, communications, and consumer behaviours increased happiness. |
| Keywords: | Well-being, COVID-19, regional amenities, digitalisation |
| JEL: | I31 R11 C23 |
| Date: | 2024–06–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:era:wpaper:dp-2024-16 |
| By: | Metzger, Martina; Steinhauer, Hans Walter; Pédussel Wu, Jennifer |
| 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:zbw:ipewps:305268 |
| By: | Mehrzad B. Baktash |
| Abstract: | Increased wages and productivity associated with performance pay can be beneficial to both employers and employees. However, performance pay can also entail unintended consequences for workers’ well-being. This study is the first to systematically examine the association between performance pay and loneliness, a significant social well-being concern. Using representative survey data from Germany, I find that performance pay is positively associated with incidence, dimensions, and intensity of loneliness. Correspondingly, performance pay is negatively associated with social life satisfaction of the workers. The findings also hold in sensible instrumental variable estimations addressing the potential endogeneity of performance pay and in various robustness checks. Investigating the potential role of moderating factors reveals that the association between performance pay and loneliness is particularly large for private sector employees. Finally, implications are discussed. |
| Keywords: | Performance Pay, Loneliness, Social Life, Well-Being, SOEP |
| JEL: | J33 I31 J32 I10 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:trr:wpaper:202412 |
| By: | John Knight; Li Shi; Wan Haiyuan |
| Abstract: | With incomes rising rapidly in China, measures of numbers in absolute poverty are no longer helpful for policy. A case is made for introducing a new concept and measure of relative poverty in China. Support is found from estimates of happiness functions using the 2013 national surveys of the China Household Income Project (CHIP). The Chinese government has recently introduced a new policy of promoting ‘common prosperity’. The criteria for measuring progress towards the achievement of common prosperity are analysed. A case is made for integrating the concepts of relative poverty and of common prosperity, so that households can be classified as poor, commonly prosperous, or rich. That classification is made for the 2002, 2013, and 2018 CHIP surveys. |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:csa:wpaper:2023-14 |