Sports participation and happiness: Evidence from US microdata

Haifang Huang () and Brad Humphreys

Journal of Economic Psychology, 2012, vol. 33, issue 4, 776-793

Abstract: We investigate the relationship between participation in physical activity and self reported happiness in the United States. IV estimates based on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System between 2005 and 2009 and County Business Patterns indicate that individuals living in a county with greater access to sports facilities are more likely to participate in physical activity and also report higher life satisfaction. Both men and women gain happiness from participation, and men appear to benefit more from participation than women.

Keywords: Happiness; Physical activity; Instrumental variables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C39 D60 I18 L83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (67)

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Related works:
Chapter: Sports Participation and Happiness: Evidence from US Micro Data (2011)
Working Paper: Sports Participation and Happiness: Evidence from U.S. Micro Data (2010)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:33:y:2012:i:4:p:776-793

DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2012.02.007

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