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Does parenthood make happy people happier? A lifecycle analysis using panel quantile regression

Author

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  • Samoilova, Evgenia
  • Vance, Colin

Abstract

Drawing on panel data from Germany, this paper analyzes the correlates of happiness, with an eye toward isolating the role of parenthood over the lifecycle. The analysis couples a panel quantile regression with an empirical specification that captures different phases of parenthood, from the year preceding the birth of a child to the time when all adult children have left the household. Together, these features allow us to formally test for heterogeneity in the association of children with happiness according to the intrinsic happiness of the parent, the age mix of their children, and whether adult children reside at home. While the two years following the birth of the first child is associated with significantly higher happiness, this result fades away with age and with the presence of siblings. Moreover, the relationship between parenthood and happiness is relatively invariant to the parent's intrinsic level of happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Samoilova, Evgenia & Vance, Colin, 2015. "Does parenthood make happy people happier? A lifecycle analysis using panel quantile regression," Ruhr Economic Papers 563, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:563
    DOI: 10.4419/86788649
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    Cited by:

    1. Zheng Fang & Yoko Niimi, 2015. "Do Losses Bite More than Gains? Evidence from a Panel Quantile Regression Analysis of Subjective Well-being in Japan," Economic Growth Centre Working Paper Series 1507, Nanyang Technological University, School of Social Sciences, Economic Growth Centre.
    2. Fang, Zheng & Niimi, Yoko, 2017. "Does everyone exhibit loss aversion? Evidence from a panel quantile regression analysis of subjective well-being in Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 79-90.
    3. Holt, Stephen B. & Wang, Rui & Gershenson, Seth, 2020. "Stress Test: Examining the Evolution of Teachers' Mental Health Over Time," IZA Discussion Papers 13361, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    panel quantile regression; subjective well-being; GSOEP; parenthood;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes

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