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Predicting the Trend of Well-Being in Germany: How Much Do Comparisons, Adaptation and Sociability Matter?

Bartolini, Stefano and Bilancini, Ennio and Sarracino, Francesco Predicting the Trend of Well-Being in Germany: How Much Do Comparisons, Adaptation and Sociability Matter? Social Indicators Research, 114. pp. 169-191. ISSN 0303-8300 (2013)

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Abstract

Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we estimate the variation of subjective well-being experienced by Germans over the last two decades testing the role of some of the major correlates of people’s well-being. Our results suggest that the variation of Germans’ well-being between 1996 and 2007 is well predicted by changes over time of income, demographics and social capital. The increase in social capital predicts the largest positive change in subjective well-being. Income growth, also predicts a substantial change in subjective well-being, but it is compensated for about three fourths by the joint negative predictions due to income comparison and income adaptation. Finally, we find that aging of the population predicts the largest negative change in subjective well-being. This result appears to hinge on the large loss of satisfaction experienced by individuals in old age.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: 10.1007/s11205-012-0142-5
Uncontrolled Keywords: Subjective well-being; Life satisfaction; Social capital; Sociability; Relational goods; Relative income; Social comparisons; Income adaptation; SOEP
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Research Area: Economics and Institutional Change
Depositing User: Caterina Tangheroni
Date Deposited: 24 Jan 2018 11:19
Last Modified: 24 Jan 2018 11:19
URI: http://eprints.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/3877

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