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One Size Does Not Fit All: Alternative Values-Based ‘Recipes’ for Life Satisfaction

Author

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  • Bruce Headey

    (Melbourne Institute, Melbourne University)

  • Gert G. Wagner

    (Max Planck Institute for Human Development
    Berlin & DIW Berlin(German Institute for Economic Research))

Abstract

In most previous research on the determinants of Life Satisfaction (LS), there has been an implicit assumption that ‘one size fits all’. That is, it has usually been assumed that the covariates of LS are the same for everyone, or at least everyone in the Western world. In this paper, using data from the long-running German Socio-Economic Panel (1984-), we estimate statistical models to assess the effects of commitment to differing personal values on LS. The personal values in question are: traditional family values, pro-social altruistic values and materialistic (money and career) values. These values are linked to differing behavioural choices with substantial effects on domain satisfactions and LS. It can be inferred that linked sets of values, behavioural choices and domain satisfactions may constitute alternative ‘recipes’ for LS. However, in the absence of direct evidence of motivation, it is not claimed that panel respondents consciously follow these ‘recipes’ with a view to enhancing their LS. Our results indicate that the effect of individuals adhering to a traditional family values ‘recipe’ or an altruistic values ‘recipe’ is that they record above average LS, whereas materialistic values are linked to below average LS.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Headey & Gert G. Wagner, 2019. "One Size Does Not Fit All: Alternative Values-Based ‘Recipes’ for Life Satisfaction," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 145(2), pages 581-613, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:145:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-019-02108-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-019-02108-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruce Headey, 2008. "Life Goals Matter to Happiness: A Revision of Set-Point Theory," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 86(2), pages 213-231, April.
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    4. Bruce Headey & Ruud Muffels, 2018. "A Theory of Life Satisfaction Dynamics: Stability, Change and Volatility in 25-Year Life Trajectories in Germany," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 140(2), pages 837-866, November.
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    9. Rohrer, Julia M. & Richter, David & Brümmer, Martin & Wagner, Gert G. & Schmukle, Stefan C., 2018. "Successfully Striving for Happiness: Socially Engaged Pursuits Predict Increases in Life Satisfaction," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 29(8), pages 1291-1298.
    10. Ulrich Schimmack & Richard Lucas, 2010. "Environmental Influences on Well-Being: A Dyadic Latent Panel Analysis of Spousal Similarity," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 98(1), pages 1-21, August.
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