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Social Capital, Happiness, and the Unmarried: a Multilevel Analysis of 32 European Countries

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  • Elyakim Kislev

    (The Hebrew University)

Abstract

Vast changes to the status of marriage in modern society have impacted the demographic makeup of many countries. Particularly in the Western world, a growing portion of the population comprises of singles that may be separated, divorced, widowed, or never married. Faced with this change, it is crucial for researchers and policymakers to understand the mechanisms behind the well-being of the unmarried. This paper explores the relationship between social capital and happiness for different types of marital groups. By performing a multilevel analysis on data from 32 countries, this research demonstrates not only that singles present higher social capital which is positively correlated with higher happiness, but also derive greater happiness from equal levels of social capital. Furthermore, this paper explores potential consequences for further research in social capital, happiness, and marital status.

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  • Elyakim Kislev, 2020. "Social Capital, Happiness, and the Unmarried: a Multilevel Analysis of 32 European Countries," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(5), pages 1475-1492, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:15:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s11482-019-09751-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-019-09751-y
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    1. Lucía Gómez-Balcácer & Noelia Somarriba Arechavala & Patricia Gómez-Costilla, 2023. "The Importance of Different Forms of Social Capital for Happiness in Europe: A Multilevel Structural Equation Model (GSEM)," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(1), pages 601-624, February.
    2. Elyakim Kislev, 2023. "Relationship-Status and Work-Life Balance Satisfaction: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(2), pages 1115-1142, April.
    3. Wenhao Qi & Wei Xu & Xiulin Qi & Meng Sun, 2023. "Can Environmental Protection Behavior Enhance Farmers' Subjective Well-Being?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 505-528, February.

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