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Intergenerational social mobility and subjective wellbeing in later life

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  • Iveson, Matthew H.
  • Deary, Ian J.

Abstract

Whereas a great deal of literature has been devoted to investigating the link between intergenerational social mobility and health, the few studies that have examined the association between social mobility and life satisfaction have produced conflicting findings. In the present study, we attempt to rectify several shortcomings common to previous work by examining the association between intergenerational social mobility and both life satisfaction and self-rated health as measured in later-life. Our sample consisted of individuals born in Scotland in 1936, who took part in the Scottish Mental Survey 1947 and were subsequently followed-up into later-life. Regression analyses demonstrated that satisfaction with life at age 78 was not significantly predicted by childhood or adulthood socioeconomic status, or by the amount of social mobility experienced from parental occupational social class. In contrast, self-rated health at age 78 was significantly predicted by adult socioeconomic status and by education, but not by social mobility from parental occupational social class. These results suggest that efforts to promote upwards social mobility may not result in better subjective wellbeing, despite the apparent benefits for health.

Suggested Citation

  • Iveson, Matthew H. & Deary, Ian J., 2017. "Intergenerational social mobility and subjective wellbeing in later life," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 11-20.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:188:y:2017:i:c:p:11-20
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.06.038
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexi Gugushvili & Martin McKee & Michael Murphy & Aytalina Azarova & Darja Irdam & Katarzyna Doniec & Lawrence King, 2019. "Intergenerational Mobility in Relative Educational Attainment and Health-Related Behaviours," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(1), pages 413-441, January.
    2. Grzegorz Bulczak & Alexi Gugushvili & Olga Zelinska, 2022. "How are social origin, destination and mobility linked to physical, mental, and self-rated health? Evidence from the United States," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(5), pages 3555-3585, October.
    3. Gugushvili, Alexi & Zhao, Yizhang & Bukodi, Erzsébet, 2019. "‘Falling from grace’ and ‘rising from rags’: Intergenerational educational mobility and depressive symptoms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 222(C), pages 294-304.
    4. Peterson, Lindsey & Ralston, Margaret, 2019. "Aging well in an aging world: The impact of material conditions, culture, and societal disruptions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 245-253.
    5. Bridger, Emma & Daly, Michael, 2020. "Intergenerational social mobility predicts midlife well-being: Prospective evidence from two large British cohorts," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    6. Kim, Yonsu & Lee, Yongsoo, 2023. "Economic development, intergenerational mobility, and health in South Korea," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).

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