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Ways to Greater Happiness: A Delphi Study

Author

Listed:
  • Dan Buettner

    (Gallup)

  • Toben Nelson

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Ruut Veenhoven

    (Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization, Erasmus University Rotterdam
    North-West University South Africa)

Abstract

In the first round of this Delphi study 14 experts suggested strategies for improving life-satisfaction. In a second round, experts rated these strategies for (a) effectiveness, (b) feasibility and (c) cost-effectiveness. They considered 56 strategies policy makers can use to raise average happiness in a nation and 68 ways in which individuals can raise their own happiness. Experts were informed about the average ratings made by the panel and about the arguments advanced. Then, in a third round, experts made their final judgments. Summed ratings for average effectiveness and feasibility of the strategies ranged between 8.4 and 4.9 on scale 2–10, which means that most of the recommendations were deemed suitable. Agreement was slightly higher on policy strategies than on individual ways to greater happiness. Policy strategies deemed the most effective and feasible are: (1) investing in happiness research, (2) support of vulnerable people and (3) improving the social climate, in particular by promoting voluntary work and supporting non-profits. Individual strategies deemed most effective are: (a) investing in social networks, (b) doing meaningful things and (c) caring for one’s health.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Buettner & Toben Nelson & Ruut Veenhoven, 2020. "Ways to Greater Happiness: A Delphi Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 2789-2806, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00199-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00199-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Adler, Matthew D. & Dolan, Paul & Kavetsos, Georgios, 2017. "Would you choose to be happy? Tradeoffs between happiness and the other dimensions of life in a large population survey," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 60-73.
    2. Ed Diener & Eunkook Suh & Heidi Smith & Liang Shao, 1995. "National differences in reported subjective well-being: Why do they occur?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 7-32, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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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