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The Mediating Role of Urbanization on the Composition of Happiness

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  • Cristina Bernini
  • Alessandro Tampieri

Abstract

This paper investigates whether urbanization plays a role in determining the importance of each happiness domain on overall happiness. The analysis focuses on Italy. We exploit a multilevel model to consider regional heterogeneity in happiness’s determinants. We first verify whether a direct effect of urbanization exists on each specific components of happiness, as well as on overall happiness. Consistent with the findings in the literature, happiness decreases with urbanization. In the analysis of mediating role, we find that the importance of satisfaction with economic conditions and family explains more overall happiness in urban areas. On the contrary, satisfaction with health, friendships and environment gain more weight in rural areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Bernini & Alessandro Tampieri, 2020. "The Mediating Role of Urbanization on the Composition of Happiness," Working Papers - Economics wp2020_16.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.
    • Handle: RePEc:frz:wpaper:wp2020_16.rdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Cristina Bernini & Silvia Emili & Maria Rosaria Ferrante, 2023. "Poverty‐happiness nexus: Does the use of regional poverty lines matter?," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 102(2), pages 253-272, April.
    2. Cristina Bernini & Alessandro Tampieri, 2023. "Much Ado about Salary: A Comparison of Monetary and Non-Monetary Components of Job Satisfaction," Working Papers - Economics wp2023_06.rdf, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze per l'Economia e l'Impresa.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    subjective well-being; happiness function; urbanization; regions; multilevel models;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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