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Poor eudaimonic subjective wellbeing as a mortality risk factor

Author

Listed:
  • Leonardo Becchetti

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Maria Bachelet

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Fabio Pisani

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

We investigate the nexus between poverty of sense of life (a dimension of eudaimonic subjective wellbeing) and mortality in a large sample of individuals from several European countries. We find that poverty of sense of life is significantly and positively correlated with mortality, net of the impact of socio-demographic factors, life styles, symptoms and even life and health satisfaction controls. We as well test whether the observed correlation is mainly explained by physiological factors or, as well, by behavioural factors such as unhealthy life styles and/or insufficient physical activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Becchetti & Maria Bachelet & Fabio Pisani, 2019. "Poor eudaimonic subjective wellbeing as a mortality risk factor," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 36(1), pages 245-272, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolit:v:36:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s40888-018-0134-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s40888-018-0134-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. David Cutler & Angus Deaton & Adriana Lleras-Muney, 2006. "The Determinants of Mortality," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 20(3), pages 97-120, Summer.
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    9. Dimitrios Christelis, 2011. "Imputation of Missing Data in Waves 1 and 2 of SHARE," CSEF Working Papers 278, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
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    Cited by:

    1. Leonardo Becchetti & Gianluigi Conzo, 2021. "Avoiding a “despair death crisis” in Europe: the drivers of human (un)sustainability," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(4), pages 485-526, December.
    2. Leonardo Becchetti & Massimo Cermelli, 2018. "Civil economy: definition and strategies for sustainable well-living," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 65(3), pages 329-357, September.
    3. Marco Moretti & Manuele Marsili, 2019. "Resilienza come apprendimento," PRISMA Economia - Societ? - Lavoro, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2019(2), pages 58-82.
    4. Leonardo Becchetti & Davide Bellucci, 2021. "Generativity, aging and subjective well-being," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(2), pages 141-184, June.
    5. Frijters, Paul & Clark, Andrew E. & Krekel, Christian & Layard, Richard, 2020. "A happy choice: wellbeing as the goal of government," Behavioural Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(2), pages 126-165, July.
    6. Paola Conigliaro, 2022. "Subjective Well-Being in Italian Regions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 751-781, June.
    7. M. Pilar Matud & Marisela López-Curbelo & Demelza Fortes, 2019. "Gender and Psychological Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-11, September.
    8. Becchetti, Leonardo & Conzo, Gianluigi & Trovato, Giovanni, 2023. "The social value of health: A frontier analysis of life expectancy gaps across 33 European countries," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mortality; Eudaimonic wellbeing; Sense of life;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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