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Happiness and Longevity: Unhappy People Die Young, Otherwise Happiness Probably Makes No Difference

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  • Bruce Headey

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Jongsay Yong

    (The University of Melbourne)

Abstract

Based on analysis of long-running panel surveys in Germany and Australia, we offer a revised assessment of the relationship between subjective well-being (happiness, life satisfaction) and longevity. Most previous research has reported a linear positive relationship; the happier people are, the longer they live (Diener and Chan in Appl Psychol Health Well-Being 3:1–43, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.x ). Results from these two panels indicate that, if a linear model is assumed, the standard positive relationship between life satisfaction and longevity is found. However, an alternative viewpoint merits consideration. It appears that the relationship between happiness and longevity may be non-linear. The evidence is strong that unhappy people die young. Otherwise, across the rest of the distribution, happiness appears to make no difference to longevity. Our findings are consistent using alternative methods of estimation, and are robust with or without controlling for a range of variables known to affect longevity, including socio-economic variables, behavioral choices (e.g. exercise, smoking) and health status.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Headey & Jongsay Yong, 2019. "Happiness and Longevity: Unhappy People Die Young, Otherwise Happiness Probably Makes No Difference," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 142(2), pages 713-732, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:142:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-018-1923-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-018-1923-2
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    3. Custodio, Henry M. & Hadjikakou, Michalis & Bryan, Brett A., 2023. "A review of socioeconomic indicators of sustainability and wellbeing building on the social foundations framework," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).

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