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Does Better Physical Function Make People Happier?

Author

Listed:
  • Imam Budidharma
  • Heni Wahyuni

Abstract

The objective of this paper is analyzing the impact of health status on the subjective well-being. The study uses the recent data from Indonesian Family Life Survey and the physical function index as a proxy for health status. Ordered Logit regression is performed to estimate the impact of the physical function on the subjective well-being. The study employs an instrumental variable approach to address the endogeneity issue of the physical function. After controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors, it is found that the physical function has a positive effect on the subjective well-being. On average, an increase in 1 percent of an individual physical function will increase a probability of being very happy by 1.5 percent. However, this impact is decreased after including mental health on the regression model. Since the magnitude of the coefficient in IV-Ordered Logit is larger than in ordinary Ordered Logit, we interpret that there is no existence of a reversed causality. Then, it can be concluded that the physical function is a predictor for the subjective well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Imam Budidharma & Heni Wahyuni, 2017. "Does Better Physical Function Make People Happier?," Asian Social Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(3), pages 1-58, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:ibn:assjnl:v:13:y:2017:i:3:p:58
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Blanchflower, David G. & Oswald, Andrew J., 2008. "Is well-being U-shaped over the life cycle?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(8), pages 1733-1749, April.
    2. Easterlin, Richard A., 1974. "Does Economic Growth Improve the Human Lot? Some Empirical Evidence," MPRA Paper 111773, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Böckerman, Petri & Johansson, Edvard & Saarni, Samuli I., 2011. "Do established health-related quality-of-life measures adequately capture the impact of chronic conditions on subjective well-being?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(1), pages 91-95, April.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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