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Do you really want to share everything? The well-being of work-linked couples

Author

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  • Juliane Hennecke
  • Clemens Hetschko

Abstract

Work and family life are crucial sources of human well-being, which, however, often interfere. Our analysis focuses on the specific case of couples that work in the same industry and occupation. Based on the economic theory of assortative matching, we argue that such a work link may foster career success and therefore well-being. Our study examines satisfaction differences between work-linked and non-work-linked partners using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel. We estimate the effects of working in the same occupation and/or industry as one’s partner on life satisfaction and satisfaction in four areas of life: income, work, family, and leisure. Being work-linked is positively associated with income satisfaction and might also slightly improve life satisfaction. High-skilled couples seem to benefit in particular. We also find that work-linked couples enjoy higher levels of income and job autonomy.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliane Hennecke & Clemens Hetschko, 2025. "Do you really want to share everything? The well-being of work-linked couples," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 77(2), pages 516-536.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxecpp:v:77:y:2025:i:2:p:516-536.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oep/gpae036
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    work-linked couples; well-being; assortative matching; dual-career support;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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