Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/170942 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10958
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Using seven recent data sets, covering 51 countries and 1.3 million randomly sampled people, the paper examines the pattern of psychological well-being from approximately age 20 to age 90. Two conceptual approaches to this issue are possible. Despite what has been argued in the literature, neither is the 'correct' one, because they measure different things. One studies raw numbers on well-being and age. This is the descriptive approach. The second studies the patterns in regression equations for well-being (that is, adjusting for other influences). This is the ceteris-paribus analytical approach. The paper applies each to large cross-sections and compares the patterns of life-satisfaction and happiness. Using the first method, there is evidence of a midlife low in five of the seven data sets. Using the second method, all seven data sets produce evidence consistent with a midlife low. The scientific explanation for the approximate U-shape currently remains unknown.
Subjects: 
happiness
aging
well-being
GHQ
mental-health
depression
life-course
JEL: 
I3
I31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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