The Age U-shape in Europe: The Protective Role of Partnership

Andrew Clark, Hippolyte d'Albis and Angela Greulich ()
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Angela Greulich: OSC - Observatoire sociologique du changement (Sciences Po, CNRS) - Sciences Po - Sciences Po - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: We here ask whether the U-shaped relationship between life satisfaction and age is flatter for those who are partnered. This is the case in cross-section EU-SILC data, where the drop in life satisfaction from the teens to the 50s is almost four times larger for the non-partnered than for the partnered, whose life satisfaction essentially follows a slight downward trajectory with age. However, the same analysis in three panel datasets (BHPS, SOEP and HILDA) reveals a U-shape for both marital groups, although still somewhat flatter for the partnered than for the non-partnered. We suggest that the difference between the cross-section and panel results reflects compositional effects: there is in particular a significant shift of the relatively dissatisfied out of marriage in mid-life. These composition effects will flatten the U-shape in age for the partnered in cross-section data.

Keywords: Age U-shape; Subjective Well-being; Marriage; EU-SILC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-age, nep-eur and nep-ltv
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02872212v1
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The age U-shape in Europe: the protective role of partnership (2021)
Working Paper: The Age U-shape in Europe: The Protective Role of Partnership (2021)
Working Paper: The Age U-shape in Europe: The Protective Role of Partnership (2021)
Working Paper: The Age U-shape in Europe: The Protective Role of Partnership (2021)
Working Paper: The Age U-shape in Europe: The Protective Role of Partnership (2020)
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