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The partner penalty: Exploring tourism jobs and life satisfaction relationships

Author

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  • Arioldi, Davide
  • Vroegop, Eva

Abstract

This study investigates how tourism employment affects life satisfaction - not only for workers themselves, but also for their partners - using European Social Survey data from 30 countries (2002−2022). Tourism workers report lower life satisfaction, which is largely attributable to socioeconomic factors. However, partners of tourism workers experience an even larger reduction in life satisfaction - a 'partner penalty' exceeding the estimated effect of divorce. This life satisfaction penalty for partners is concentrated among men and families with children, suggesting that gender norms and caregiving responsibilities play a central role. Notably, dual-tourism couples do not exhibit this penalty, consistent with shared occupational understanding. Proxy indicators suggest time-based work-family conflict, including disrupted family time and reduced social interactions, as a plausible mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Arioldi, Davide & Vroegop, Eva, 2026. "The partner penalty: Exploring tourism jobs and life satisfaction relationships," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-10.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:342682
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annale.2026.100221
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    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • Z31 - Other Special Topics - - Tourism Economics - - - Industry Studies
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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