An empirical investigation into the determinants and persistence of happiness and life evaluation

Chrostek, Pawel (2013): An empirical investigation into the determinants and persistence of happiness and life evaluation.

Abstract

A comparison of measures of happiness and life evaluation indicates significant differences in correlates. Life evaluation is less dependent on external circumstances than happiness. Temporary changes in health, labour market status and income have a smaller impact on life evaluation than on happiness. Despite the differences both types of well-being exhibit a positive relation between current and past well-being. This result contradicts the hypothesis of general habituation.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: hedonic adaptation, subjective well-being, determinants of happiness
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D0 - General; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I3 - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty > I31 - General Welfare, Well-Being

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