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The U-shaped age–happiness relationship: real or methodological artifact?

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  • Ottar Hellevik

    (University of Oslo)

Abstract

Economists studying subjective well-being commonly conclude that its relationship with age is U-shaped. Data from a large Norwegian survey project show that this holds for cognitive well-being (life satisfaction), but not for emotional well-being (happiness), which declines with age. When a U-shaped relationship between age and happiness is reported, it is a result of controlling for variables such as health and family situation, which lie between age and happiness in the causal hierarchy, mediating indirect effect between them. Controlling for intervening variables may lead to misinterpretations of what actually happens to feelings of happiness as people age, since the negative effects on happiness of deteriorating health or loss of partner are consequences of growing older and therefore should not be controlled away. A relevant control variable is cohort, since it may produce spurious association between age (life phase) and happiness. Using multiple regression analysis instead of cohort analysis to separate aging and cohort effects, runs into severe collinearity and missing data problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ottar Hellevik, 2017. "The U-shaped age–happiness relationship: real or methodological artifact?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 177-197, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:51:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s11135-015-0300-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s11135-015-0300-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. David G. Blanchflower & Andrew J. Oswald, 2019. "Do Humans Suffer a Psychological Low in Midlife? Two Approaches (With and Without Controls) in Seven Data Sets," Springer Books, in: Mariano Rojas (ed.), The Economics of Happiness, chapter 0, pages 439-453, Springer.
    2. David G. Blanchflower & Carol L. Graham, 2022. "The Mid-Life Dip in Well-Being: a Critique," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 287-344, May.
    3. Fulvio Castellacci & Henrik Schwabe, 2020. "Internet, unmet aspirations and the U-shape of life," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, June.
    4. Anna BAGIROVA & Olga NOTMAN, 2020. "The Well-Being Of Residents In An Urban Environment: The Case Of A Russian Megapolis," REVISTA ADMINISTRATIE SI MANAGEMENT PUBLIC, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 2020(35), pages 124-138, December.
    5. Raquel Lara & Mᵃ Luisa Vázquez & Adelaida Ogallar & Débora Godoy-Izquierdo, 2020. "Psychosocial Resources for Hedonic Balance, Life Satisfaction and Happiness in the Elderly: A Path Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. David G. Blanchflower, 2021. "Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 34(2), pages 575-624, April.
    7. Amy Chan Hyung Kim & Jungsu Ryu & Chungsup Lee & Kyung Min Kim & Jinmoo Heo, 2021. "Sport Participation and Happiness Among Older Adults: A Mediating Role of Social Capital," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1623-1641, April.
    8. Fulvio Castellacci & Henrik Schwabe, 2018. "Internet Use and the U-shaped relationship between Age and Well-being," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20180215, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.

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