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Studies

Layard et al. (2009): study US 1972

Publication

Author(s):
Layard, R.; Mayraz, G.; Nickell, S.J.
Title:
Does Relative Income Matter? Are the Critics Right?
Source:
Working paper SOEP No. 210, DIW, 2009, Berlin, Germany. (also published in: Diener E.;Helliwell J.E.; Kahneman D.;Eds.: ''International Differences in Well-Being'', Oxford University Press, 2010, 139 - 165)

Investigation

Public
30-55 aged white males, United States, 1972-2006
Survey name
US-GSS
Sample
Probability multi-stage cluster sample
Respondents
N = 14836
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

Taken all together, how would you say things are these days?   Would you say that you are....?
3  very happy
2  pretty happy
1  not too happy
Classification:
O-HL-c-sq-v-3-aa
Page in publication:
3

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Real income per adult Household income Average real income per adult Relative to income of compatriots Financial situation relative to others Later income Happiness over time Trend average happiness in general public Income Trend average happiness in income groups Satisfaction with income Trend average happiness in special publics
Satisfaction with finances in nation
Trend average happiness in Unites States of America