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Does Sports Make People Happier, or Do Happy People More Sports?

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  • Bruno S. Frey
  • Anthony Gullo

Abstract

We contribute to the happiness literature by analyzing the causal relationship between sports and happiness. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), we find a positive correlation between sports participation and reported life satisfaction. This relationship is stronger at younger and older ages than in middle age, and for people in bad health compared to those in average health. We further provide evidence for both causal directions. It turns out that the causal impact of engaging in sports on happiness is about four times higher than the effect of happiness on engaging in sports.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno S. Frey & Anthony Gullo, 2021. "Does Sports Make People Happier, or Do Happy People More Sports?," Journal of Sports Economics, , vol. 22(4), pages 432-458, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jospec:v:22:y:2021:i:4:p:432-458
    DOI: 10.1177/1527002520985667
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    2. Xinze Li & Ningxiao Tang & Ronghui Yu & Hongyu Jiang & Hongwei Xie, 2022. "The Effect of Playing Gateball Sports on Older Chinese People’s Wellbeing in the Context of Active Aging—Based Mediation of Social Capital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, September.

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