Observatoire
Arrivées et départs
Nous nous réjouissons de trois arrivées en septembre à l’Observatoire. Louis Fréget nous rejoint pour un post-doctorat. Il va naturellement avancer vers la publication de ses propres recherches, et aussi renforcer nos compétences sur les liens entre santé, cognition et bien-être subjectif. Eugénie de Laubier et Joséphine Delassus rejoignent notre équipe en tant qu’assistantes de recherche.
Du côté des départs, Louis Margolis a commencé une thèse à l’École d’économie de Paris sur le thème du sans-abrisme, et Corin Blanc une thèse à Paris-Nanterre, sur un financement ADEME, au sujet de l’acceptabilité et des conséquences sur le bien-être des politiques de lutte contre le dérèglement climatique. Meri beaucoup à eux deux pour leur précieuses contributions aux travaux de l’OBE !
Le Bien-être des Français, Septembre 2024
Les principaux indicateurs de bien-être progressent en septembre, tant par rapport à juin que par rapport à septembre 2023. La satisfaction générale dans la vie, le sentiment de sens ou encore la satisfaction par rapport au travail atteignent certains de leurs plus hauts niveaux depuis 2016, tandis que le sentiment d’avoir été heureux ou l’appréciation des perspectives de la prochaine génération se redressent. Dans un climat d’incertitude politique et de stagnation de la situation financière des ménages, cette embellie découle probablement du sentiment d’enthousiasme créé par les Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de Paris 2024.
Perona, M., 2024, Le Bien-être des Français, Septembre 2024, Paris https://www.cepremap.fr/2024/09/note-de-lobservatoire-du-bien-etre-n2024-12-le-bien-etre-des-francais-septembre-2024/.
Publications
Encyclopedia of Happiness, Quality of Life and Subjective Wellbeing
This comprehensive Encyclopedia delves into the underpinnings, approaches, and recent advancements in the dynamic global landscape of happiness and wellbeing research. Laying out the foundational concepts and disciplinary perspectives in the field, international leading and diverse authors survey the determinants and mechanisms which are associated with happiness, quality of life and subjective wellbeing.
Placha, V., 2024, Does Childbirth Change the Gender Gap in Well-Being between Partners? https://econpapers.repec.org/paper/fauwpaper/wp2024_5f28.htm.
État d’esprit et engagement des jeunes en 2024
Résumé : Le baromètre DJEPVA sur la jeunesse 2024 a interrogé en mars-avril 2024 environ 4 500 jeunes âgés de 15 à 30 ans et 1 000 personnes âgées de plus de 30 ans résidant en France. Il actualise les données sur le ressenti des jeunes et de leurs aînés, en évaluant leur satisfaction à l’égard de la vie, leur état d’esprit actuel et leur confiance dans l’avenir proche. Il s’intéresse également aux formes que prend leur engagement, en mesurant le bénévolat associatif et les autres formes de participation à la vie citoyenne. Au printemps 2024, les jeunes apparaissent un peu plus satisfaits de leur vie qu’un an plus tôt, sont dans un état d’esprit un peu plus positif, et semblent légèrement plus confiants pour les trois années à venir. Pour autant, les disparités de situation et de ressenti restent marquées selon le genre, l’âge, le niveau de diplôme, le statut d’activité, la situation familiale, l’autonomie résidentielle (vivre ou non chez ses parents), ou encore selon les revenus du foyer ou le lieu de résidence. Parallèlement, le bénévolat associatif progresse aussi chez les jeunes. Le sport reste le champ le plus prisé, tandis que la culture ou les loisirs, l’action humanitaire et l’aide au développement ainsi que l’environnement constituent ensuite les principaux secteurs dans lesquels les jeunes bénévoles s’investissent. Quant aux autres types d’engagements mesurés par le baromètre (pétition ou défense d’une cause en ligne, manifestation, grève, se faire élire pour représenter ses pairs, etc.), tous se maintiennent à des niveaux élevés, en particulier la signature d’une pétition ou la défense d’une cause sur les réseaux sociaux ou en ligne.
Millot, Charlotte, Sarah Nedjar Calvet, et Amélie Charruault. « État d’esprit et engagement des jeunes en 2024 ». Études et Recherches. Paris: INJEP, 10 septembre 2024. https://injep.fr/publication/etat-desprit-et-engagement-des-jeunes-en-2024/.
Sur le web
The Importance of Sampling Frequency for Estimates of Well-Being Dynamics
Abstract: Using a high-frequency panel survey, we examine the sensitivity of estimated self-reported well-being (SWB) dynamics to using monthly, quarterly, and yearly data. This is an important issue if SWB is to be used to evaluate policy. Results from autoregressive models that account for individual-level heterogeneity indicate that the estimated persistence using yearly data is near zero. However, estimated persistence from monthly and quarterly data is substantial. We estimate that persistence to shocks typically lasts around six months and has a net present value of 75-80 per cent of the contemporaneous effect. Estimates are similar for different domains of SWB.
Hoskins, Stephen, Johnston, David, Kunz, Johannes S., Shields, Michael A. and Staub, Kevin E., (2024), The Importance of Sampling Frequency for Estimates of Well-Being Dynamics, No 17101, IZA Discussion Papers, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
Impact of work intensity and autonomy on well-being
Abstract: Using French surveys data on working conditions, we document the existing relationships between workers’ well-being, work organization and human resources’ practices that may lead to greater intensity but also greater job decision latitude. The relationships between intensity, autonomy and workers’ well-being are first studied on the basis of a descriptive analysis, before estimating the relationship with panel data. In a framework as close as possible to Karasek’s conceptual job demand/job control model, our results highlight a detrimental impact of intensity and a positive impact of autonomy.
Blasco, Sylvie, Rochu, Julie and Rouland, Bénédicte, (2024), Impact of work intensity and autonomy on well-being, French Stata Users’ Group Meetings 2024, Stata Users Group.
Imprecision in the Estimation of Willingness to Pay Using Subjective Well-Being Data
Asbtract: The subjective well-being (SWB) method has become a popular tool to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for non-market goods using widely available well-being data. In this method, the WTP measure contains the ratio of two coefficients (of the non-market good and consumption), which are both estimated in a regression on SWB. Computing confidence intervals for such ratios turns out to be error-prone, in particular when the consumption coefficient is imprecisely estimated. Even though this problem is known, many studies either do not report imprecision in the final estimate, or use inadequate methods. This paper compares five different methods to compute confidence intervals for normal ratio distributions: the delta, Fieller, parametric bootstrapping, and bootstrapping method, and a numerical integration of Hinkley’s formula. In a simulation, a large number of emulated SWB data sets are generated to calculate confidence intervals for WTP and the corresponding coverage rates with each method. The findings suggest that the delta method is the least accurate and not robust to lowering the statistical power or changing correlations between the estimators. All other methods are fairly accurate, robust, and can be recommended for use.
Leitner, L. Imprecision in the Estimation of Willingness to Pay Using Subjective Well-Being Data. J Happiness Stud 25, 94 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00801-3
The disruptive long-term costs of international migration on subjective well-being
Abstract: People often move internationally to improve their personal situation. Yet, integration into the host society can be challenging and have negative immediate consequences on individuals’ well-being. This paper explores the relationship between international migration and subjective well-being for a sample of European individuals. We use an instrumental variable panel data approach to estimate the monetary cost of individuals’ well-being post-migration. Specifically, we estimate that the average cost of an individual willing to accept the potential negative effects of international migration on their well-being. Our results reveal a negative relationship between international migration and subjective well-being. Our estimates suggest that a migrant is willing to accept an average increase of EUR$1,838 (roughly USD$2,535) in their monthly overall income to migrate across international borders and endure a negative impact on their well-being as captured by their level of life satisfaction. This negative association is particularly pronounced among established migrants in comparison with recent migrants, and those from lower-middle-income countries. Our work highlights the importance of studying the determinants of well-being for individuals, and contributes evidence to inform policies seeking to improve the local conditions of recent migrants and their adaptation to the new environment.
Rodríguez-Puello, Gabriel, Hernandez, Leonidas, Romero-Espinosa, Diana and Rowe, Francisco, (2024), The disruptive long-term costs of international migration on subjective well-being, No ydbxu, OSF Preprints, Center for Open Science.
Education and Mental Health: Causal Effects and Intra-Family Spillovers
Abstract: Mental health is essential for well-being and quality of life. Yet, our knowledge of the determinants of mental health is limited. We analyze the impact of education on mental health using survey data on self-reported health of Turkish women. To deal with the potential endogeneity, we rely on a natural experiment: an increase in the compulsory education from 5 to 8 years in 1997. The results suggest that education has a favorable effect on mental health, physical health, and being target of abusive behavior. We specifically consider intra-family spillovers, which are important: husband’s education has favorable effects on the wife’s mental health, and both parents’ educational attainments improve mental health of children. We account for the implications of assortative mating whereby the spouses’ educational attainment are correlated. We show that each spouse’s education has a favorable impact on women’s mental health, but the effect of husbands’ education dominates that of wives’ education. These effects are particularly pronounced among women who grew up in low-income provinces and in families without history of childhood abuse.
Özer, Mustafa and Fidrmuc, Jan, (2024), Education and Mental Health: Causal Effects and Intra-Family Spillovers, No 11213, CESifo Working Paper Series, CESifo.
Disentangling autonomy-supportive and psychologically controlling parenting: A meta-analysis of self-determination theory’s dual process model across cultures
Abstract: Self-determination theory’s (SDT) dual process model claims that parental autonomy support relates positively to child well-being, while psychologically controlling parenting is linked positively to child ill-being. We tested these claims using a combination of one-stage and univariate meta-analytic structural equation modeling with moderation (k = 238; n = 1,040, N = 126,423). In the univariate models, parental autonomy support was linked positively with child well-being, r = 0.30, 95% CI [0.26, 0.33], whereas parental psychological control was positively linked with child ill-being, r = 0.26, 95% CI [0.23, 0.28]. Consistent with SDT’s dual process model, the one-stage model that controlled for the intercorrelations between predictors showed that parental autonomy support and psychological control had distinct links to child wellness outcomes. Parental autonomy support was linked positively with child well-being, even when accounting for psychological control, r = 0.26, 95% CI [0.20, 0.31], and parental psychological control was positively linked to child ill-being, controlling for autonomy support, r = 0.20, 95% CI [0.17, 0.23]. Crucially, the beneficial effects of parental autonomy support and the costs of psychological control applied across regions, degrees of national individualism and cultural hierarchy, as well as child developmental periods and sexes. These results help move the field beyond debates about whether autonomy is beneficial toward questions about manifestations of autonomy across groups and variations in its optimal support.
Bradshaw EL, Duineveld JJ, Conigrave JH, Steward BA, Ferber KA, Joussemet M, Parker PD, Ryan RM. Disentangling autonomy-supportive and psychologically controlling parenting: A meta-analysis of self-determination theory’s dual process model across cultures. Am Psychol. 2024 Jul 25. doi:10.1037/amp0001389. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39052356.
The Joint Enjoyment of Life. Explaining High Happiness in Latin America
Abstract: A well-known finding in the happiness literature is that Latin Americans report, on average, high happiness. It is not only high, but higher than expected for their socioeconomic situation, as portrayed by commonly used indicators. High happiness in Latin America is a puzzle, and some scholars consider it a paradox, which calls for new and fresh research to understand high happiness in the region. In fact, the high-happiness-in-Latin-America phenomenon constitutes an excellent opportunity to further understand the drivers of happiness, as well as to highlight some drivers that have not received the attention they deserve. This paper argues, and empirically shows, that person-based interpersonal relationships are important in explaining people’s happiness, that they are abundant in Latin America, and that they are uncorrelated with income. In consequence, it is reasonable to observe high happiness in Latin America, as well as happiness that is higher than what would be predicted according to socioeconomic indicators. The empirical analyses are based on information from three high-happiness Latin American countries. Abundance and good quality of interpersonal relationships positively impact on affective and evaluative experiences of being well, as well as on life satisfaction. The Latin American phenomenon indicates that the interpersonal relationships people create and maintain in their journey of life are fundamental for their happiness. Person-based interpersonal relationships allow for the joint enjoyment of life.
Rojas, M. The Joint Enjoyment of Life. Explaining High Happiness in Latin America. J Happiness Stud 25, 100 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00817-9
The Unhappy Beliefs of Happiness: Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying the Links Between Negative Hedonic Beliefs and Diminished Well-Being
Abstract: In spite of extensive research that links the absence of pain with happiness, it remains puzzling why possessing beliefs equating the absence of pain with happiness (negative hedonic beliefs) undermine experienced happiness and what underlying mechanisms can explain this paradox. We conducted five studies to address these questions. The participants who had more negative hedonic beliefs exhibited decreased well-being, including subjective well-being and psychological well-being, alongside heightened depression and physical symptoms (Study 1a), an effect that persisted after controlling for behavioral inhibition/activation systems (Study 1b). Hypersensitivity to negative experiences, which reflects a reduced inclination to engage in negative experiences, even when positives exist, mediated the links between negative hedonic beliefs and poor well-being both cross-sectionally (Study 2) and longitudinally (Study 3). Moreover, the propensity to avoid negative experiences was observed in behavioral intention, primarily due to heightened anticipated negative affect when an event was manipulated to include negative aspects (Study 4). Together, the effort to eliminate negative experiences, as adhered to by individuals with negative hedonic beliefs, tends to prevent them from recognizing the potential benefits of unpleasant experiences, inadvertently depriving themselves of opportunities for the enhancement of their well-being.
Kwon, Y., Choi, J. & Choi, I. The Unhappy Beliefs of Happiness: Investigating the Mechanisms Underlying the Links Between Negative Hedonic Beliefs and Diminished Well-Being. J Happiness Stud 25, 97 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00804-0
The Impact of Retirement on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Chinese Formal Sector Workers
Abstract: Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we examine the impacts of retirement on subjective well-being (SWB) among formal sector workers in China. Retirement negatively affects formal sector workers’ life satisfaction, marital satisfaction, and satisfaction with children, as well as worsens depression. We compare the impacts of retirement based on labor force participation with those based on statutory retirement under the mandatory retirement policy on SWB. Both retirement criteria exhibit negative impacts on SWB; however, because many workers continue to work even after being classified as retired statutorily, the negative effect of retirement on SWB is underestimated when using the statutory retirement definition. Additionally, the analyses of gender, regional, and occupational heterogeneity indicate that different subgroups exhibit the same negative impacts of retirement on SWB; however, the significance levels vary across different outcome variables. Finally, by discussing the push and pull factors on retirement decisions and conducting a mechanism analysis, we enrich the narrative on the impact of retirement on SWB and provide evidence for the reform of retirement postponement policies in China.
Jiang, T., Fan, H. & Wei, Q. The Impact of Retirement on Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Chinese Formal Sector Workers. J Happiness Stud 25, 96 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00808-w
Are Female-Breadwinner Couples Always Less Stable? Evidence from French Administrative Data
Asbtract: The paper studies the association between partners’ relative incomes and union dissolution among couples in France. With the increase in dual-earner couples and women’s educational level, couples in which women earn more than their partners are structurally becoming more widespread. Because female breadwinning challenges long-lived social norms regarding traditional gender roles, scholars have theorized a higher risk of union dissolution among female-breadwinner couples compared to couples in other income arrangements. We estimate the risk of union dissolution using regression analyses on unique longitudinal data from French administrative sources containing an unconventionally high number of couples (4% of the population) and separation events (more than 100,000), as well as precise and reliable income measurement. Female-breadwinner couples face a higher risk of union dissolution compared to other couple types. This result is robust to various definitions of female breadwinning and controls for partners’ employment status. Contrary to recent research on other countries, we find no sign of a fading effect among younger cohorts. However, among younger, cohabiting couples and couples in registered partnerships the risk of union dissolution is lowest when both partners are employed and provide a similar share of the total couple’s income, suggesting the emergence of a new profile of stable couples. The female-breadwinner penalty in union dissolution is in place; also in France, it holds among married and cohabiting couples and registered partnerships, across all birth cohorts and levels of household income.
Giulia Ferrari, Anne Solaz et Agnese Vitali, 2024, « Are Female-Breadwinner Couples Always Less Stable? Evidence from French Administrative Data », European Journal of Population 40. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12204/nx-eJZABuUAJ5jvNq7yK
A Library in the Palm of Your Hand? A Randomized Reading Intervention with Low-Income Children
Abstract: Reading skills are crucial for academic success and long-term educational attainment. However, children from disadvantaged backgrounds read less than their more privileged peers. This study assesses the impact of a randomized reading intervention conducted in Germany targeting 11–12-year-olds from low-income households. The intervention involved distributing e-book readers, which provided free access to a large digital library of age-appropriate books, directly to the children’s homes. Our results show that the intervention led to increased reading engagement among the children, which in turn improved their academic performance, particularly in reading comprehension and math. Additionally, we observe positive effects on their socio-emotional well-being.
Anger, Silke & Christoph, Bernhard & Galkiewicz, Agata & Margaryan, Shushanik & Peter, Frauke & Sandner, Malte & Siedler, Thomas, 2024. « A Library in the Palm of Your Hand? A Randomized Reading Intervention with Low-Income Children, » IZA Discussion Papers 17322, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
Connecting with nature: The missing link between life satisfaction and health-related quality of life
Abstract: Nature connection is an important leverage point for both human wellbeing and planetary health. While previous research has identified associations between nature connection and wellbeing, there has been little examination of how different wellbeing measures are associated with nature connection, and how this correlation varies by population groups. We seek to fill this gap through a survey of 4006 individuals in Australia. We find a strong association between nature connection and two measures of wellbeing: life satisfaction, and health-related quality-of-life. The association between nature connection and life satisfaction was similar to that of income and life satisfaction. The association between nature connection and wellbeing was found to be particularly strong for younger people, and those who speak a language other than English at home. Through developing a measure examining one’s life satisfaction relative to their health-related quality-of-life, we find that those with higher levels of nature connection tend to have greater life satisfaction than health-related quality-of-life. These findings highlight the important role policy can play in enhancing nature connection to improve wellbeing, such as expanding green space development and providing individuals with more opportunities to meaningfully connect with nature. Keywords: Nature connection, wellbeing, life satisfaction, health-related quality-of-life.
Sollis, Kate & Rajeevan, Usitha & van Eeden, Lily & Lee, Kate & Keniger, Lucy & Lin, Brenda & Marsh, Pauline & Flies, Emily, 2024. « Connecting with nature: The missing link between life satisfaction and health-related quality of life, » SocArXiv s74k9, Center for Open Science.
Does Childbirth Change the Gender Gap in Well-Being between Partners?
Abstract: This study examines gender disparities beyond pay gaps, focusing on the impact of childbirth on overall well-being. Traditional gender roles, especially in parenting, lead to unequal divisions of labor and affect both partners´ well-being, yet the shift in well-being after childbirth remains underexplored. Utilizing data from the 2013 and 2018 EU SILC surveys, the study investigates the well-being gap between mothers and fathers, revealing that childbirth significantly influences parents´ subjective well-being. Mothers tend to experience a longer-lasting positive effect, peaking during the newborn stage and gradually diminishing as children grow older, while fathers´ wellbeing boost is shorter-lived, typically fading after the child´s first year. The findings also indicate that the well-being gap between mothers and fathers has widened over time, especially during the preschool years, underscoring the complex dynamics of well-being among parents.
Placha, Veronika, (2024), Does Childbirth Change the Gender Gap in Well-Being between Partners?, No 2024/28, Working Papers IES, Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Economic Studies.
How Can People Become Happier? A Systematic Review of Preregistered Experiments
Abstract: Can happiness be reliably increased? Thousands of studies speak to this question. However, many of them were conducted during a period in which researchers commonly “p-hacked,” creating uncertainty about how many discoveries might be false positives. To prevent p-hacking, happiness researchers increasingly preregister their studies, committing to analysis plans before analyzing data. We conducted a systematic literature search to identify preregistered experiments testing strategies for increasing happiness. We found surprisingly little support for many widely recommended strategies (e.g., performing random acts of kindness). However, our review suggests that other strategies—such as being more sociable—may reliably promote happiness. We also found strong evidence that governments and organizations can improve happiness by providing underprivileged individuals with financial support. We conclude that happiness research stands on the brink of an exciting new era, in which modern best practices will be applied to develop theoretically grounded strategies that can produce lasting gains in life satisfaction.
Folk, D. et Dunn, E., 2024, How Can People Become Happier? A Systematic Review of Preregistered Experiments, Annual Review of Psychology, 75, p. 467‑493. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-psych-022423-030818