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Monetizing Utility Reductions Associated with Bullying

Author

Listed:
  • Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir

    (University of Iceland)

  • Gísli Gylfason

    (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales)

  • Arna Hauksdóttir

    (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales)

  • Edda Bjork Thordardottir

    (University of Iceland
    Karolinska Instituet)

  • Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir

    (University of Iceland
    Karolinska Instituet
    Harvard School of Public Health)

Abstract

Although rarely measured, victims’ suffering is likely a large part of the overall cost of bullying. We use the compensating income variation method on data from the Icelandic SAGA (Stress-And-Gene-Analysis) cohort to estimate the monetary compensation needed to offset the welfare loss associated with bullying of women. We examine differences by frequency and extensivity of bullying, the type of bullying, the victim´s age during most recent bullying and years since most recent bullying. We find considerable differences in results across those bullying characteristics. To put this in context, the yearly value of reduced well-being associated with bullying in adulthood ($14,532–25,002 depending on model specification) by far exceeds the societal cost of reduced productivity and absenteeism, and the value of reduced well-being associated with bullying in childhood ($46,391–48,565, depending on model specification) by far exceeds the sum of the societal medical cost, travel cost of parents, and cost of reduced productivity of parents. Therefore, the greatest monetary damage from bullying is likely associated with the victims suffering, and its inclusion in the evaluation of societal consequences of bullying is thus crucial.

Suggested Citation

  • Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir & Gísli Gylfason & Arna Hauksdóttir & Edda Bjork Thordardottir & Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, 2023. "Monetizing Utility Reductions Associated with Bullying," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 2395-2439, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00666-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00666-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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