Health Effects of Happiness in China

Weiwei Wang, Yan Sun, Yong Chen, Ya Bu and Gen Li
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Weiwei Wang: School of Economics and Management, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China
Yan Sun: College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China
Yong Chen: School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
Ya Bu: School of Economics and Management, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China
Gen Li: School of Economics and Management, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: The demand for improving health status of Chinese residents is growing with the rapid economic development. Happiness, which could be improved by some brief, self-administered, and cost-effective interventions, is reported to be associated with mortality, longevity, and self-rated health. Therefore, it is essential to assess the effect of happiness on health in China. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey 2017, the present study explored the effect of happiness on health among Chinese residents after controlling for demographic variables, socioeconomic factors, social relationships, locations, and insurance plan. The happiness effect across subsamples by age and resident type and the mediator role of happiness were also evaluated. Based on an ordered probit regression model, we found that the effect of happiness on health was significantly positive in full sample and all subsamples. Using a structural equation model, we demonstrated that happiness could partially mediate the relationship between socioeconomic factors, social relationships factors, and health. Our data supplement the existing literature on the relationship between happiness and health and provide evidence for policymakers and stakeholders focusing on happiness as a health strategy to improve overall societal wellbeing.

Keywords: happiness; self-rated health; aging; rural; mediate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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