Are We Architects of Our Own Happiness? The Importance of Family Background for Well-Being

Daniel Schnitzlein and Wunder Christoph ()
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Wunder Christoph: Department of Economics, University of Halle-Wittenberg, Große Steinstraße 73, 06099 Halle (Saale), Germany

The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, 2016, vol. 16, issue 1, 125-149

Abstract: This paper analyzes whether individuals have equal opportunity to achieve happiness (or well-being). We estimate sibling correlations and intergenerational correlations in self-reported life satisfaction, satisfaction with household income, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with health. We find high sibling correlations for all measures of well-being. The results suggest that family background explains, on average, between 30% and 60% of the inequality in permanent well-being. The influence is smaller when the siblings’ psychological and geographical distance from their parental home is larger. Results from intergenerational correlations suggest that parental characteristics are considerably less important than family and community factors.

Keywords: subjective well-being; family background; intergenerational mobility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Are We Architects of Our Own Happiness? The Importance of Family Background for Well-Being (2016)
Working Paper: Are We Architects of Our Own Happiness?: The Importance of Family Background for Well-Being (2014)
Working Paper: Are we architects of our own happiness? The importance of family background for well-being (2014)
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DOI: 10.1515/bejeap-2015-0037

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