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Is Brazil the Land of Happiness? A Comparative Study Using a Sample with Economics Students from UFPE and Purdue

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  • Cavalcanti, Tiago V. de V.
  • Guimarães, Juliana Ferraz
  • Nogueira, José Ricardo

Abstract

In this article we study the level of happiness using a sample of American and Brazilian college students. We applied about 187 questionnaires among economics students at Purdue University and also at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). We found that American college students have a higher probability of self-reporting as happier than Brazilian students. We also found interesting differences: (i) women are happier than men at Purdue, but men are happier than women at UFPE; (ii) family background does not seem to have a clear impact on happiness among Purdue students, but it certainly has a direct impact on happiness among UFPE students; (iii) “extra money” is an important factor for happiness in the two groups, but it is definitely more important for male students at UFPE; (iv) leisure is the key factor for happiness among Purdue students; and (v) policy towards improvements in public safety would have a stronger effect on happiness among economics UFPE students than among those who attend the Purdue University

Suggested Citation

  • Cavalcanti, Tiago V. de V. & Guimarães, Juliana Ferraz & Nogueira, José Ricardo, 2009. "Is Brazil the Land of Happiness? A Comparative Study Using a Sample with Economics Students from UFPE and Purdue," Brazilian Review of Econometrics, Sociedade Brasileira de Econometria - SBE, vol. 29(1), May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sbe:breart:v:29:y:2009:i:1:a:2694
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    Cited by:

    1. Silva, Wesley Mendes da & Onusic, Luciana Massaro & Norvilitis, Jill M. & Moura, Gilnei L., 2013. "Ilusão de foco e satisfação com a vida entre universitários em São Paulo e Santa Maria," RAE - Revista de Administração de Empresas, FGV-EAESP Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo (Brazil), vol. 53(5), September.
    2. André Braz Golgher & Raquel Zanatta Coutinho, 2014. "The most miserable and the most blissful individuals in Brazil," Textos para Discussão Cedeplar-UFMG 512, Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

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