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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2025–01–06
three papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Benison Thomas (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research); Trinh Le (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research); Arthur Grimes (Motu Economic and Public Policy Research) |
| Abstract: | Using data from the 2016 and 2021 New Zealand General Social Surveys, this study investigates the impact of arts and cultural (AC) participation on personal wellbeing and quantifies in monetary terms the value of such participation to individuals. While it is not significantly associated with life satisfaction, we find that active AC participation (taking part) is associated with higher eudaimonic wellbeing (specifically, a greater sense of purpose), which may be a contributor to greater long-term wellbeing. We find that passive AC participation (observing or being audience) is associated with higher life satisfaction and higher short-term wellbeing, in the form of greater happiness and mental wellbeing. We show that an important pathway through which passive AC participation affects life satisfaction is via mental health, by increasing how often one feels calm and peaceful and reducing how often one feels downhearted and depressed. Using the Wellbeing Valuation approach, we estimate that on average people value passive AC participation at around 6-20% of their income, which is equivalent to $2, 800-$9, 300 per person per year at the median income level. |
| Keywords: | Arts and cultural participation; life satisfaction; Wellbeing Valuation approach |
| JEL: | Z11 I31 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mtu:wpaper:24_04 |
| By: | Andrén, Daniela (Örebro University School of Business) |
| Abstract: | This paper calculates the value of experiencing mental illness, either directly or indirectly through knowing someone near, family, or friends (NFF), who is affected. Using the well-being valuation method, which explores the trade-offs between income and self-reported experiences that maintain life satisfaction unchanged within a representative sample of the Swedish adult population, we found that the annual compensation ranges from 21-26 thousand Euros for those only directly affected to 30-37 thousand Euros for individuals affected both directly and indirectly. These results indicate the relevance of designing healthcare policies for good mental health that take in account both direct and indirect impacts of mental illness, and how mental illness is defined, measured, and discussed in societal and political contexts. Such policies can contribute to effectively address the broader economic and social consequences of mental illness. |
| Keywords: | mental illness; near family and friends; well-being; well-being valuation method; life satisfaction; Sweden. method; life satisfaction; Sweden |
| JEL: | D60 I10 I18 Z13 |
| Date: | 2024–12–23 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:oruesi:2024_012 |
| By: | Mathieu Le Moal (UM - Université de Montpellier, UPVM - Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3); Olivier Torrès |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the role of daily recovery experiences and the articulation between life domains on health among farm owners and farm workers. It aims to explore how work-home boundaries and recovery mechanisms, such as psychological detachment, relaxation, and mastery, impact well-being and satisfaction with work-life balance in these distinct populations. Existing literature highlights that farmers, particularly farm owners, face heightened mental health challenges due to blurred boundaries between work and personal life, financial stress, and social isolation. Previous research has extensively examined recovery experiences in other sectors but lacks focus on the agricultural sector, especially among entrepreneurs like farm owners. The study involved a survey of 916 farm owners and 757 farm workers, analyzing key recovery dimensions (psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control) and their correlation with work-home segmentation preferences and well-being. Multiple linear regressions and independent sample tests were conducted to explore these relationships. Farm owners report significantly lower levels of work-home segmentation, psychological detachment, and relaxation compared to farm workers. They also experience lower satisfaction with work-life balance and higher burnout. Recovery experiences positively correlate with higher work-life balance satisfaction, with psychological detachment and relaxation being key predictors. Work-life balance satisfaction also significantly improves well-being and reduces burnout in both groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions promoting recovery experiences, particularly for farm owners who struggle with blurred work-life boundaries. Programs focusing on enhancing psychological detachment and relaxation could improve work-life balance and reduce mental health risks in agricultural workers. This study contributes to the understanding of how recovery experiences and work-home boundaries affect health in the agricultural sector. It also provides evidence for the development of tailored mental health interventions for farm owners, addressing their unique recovery challenges. |
| Keywords: | work-life interface recovery experiences health agricultural worker quantitative research entrepreneurs, work-life interface, recovery experiences, health, agricultural worker, quantitative research, entrepreneurs |
| Date: | 2024–11–13 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04845457 |