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Correlational findings

Study Vendrik & Woltjer (2007): study DE 1984

Public
18+ aged general public, Germany, followed 17 years, 1984-2001
Survey name
DE-SOEP combined waves
Sample
Respondents
N = 102068
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face

Correlate

Authors's Label
Reference income
Our Classification
Operationalization
Log average family income of compatriots similar in:
- Education level
- Region
- Gender
- Age (-5/+5 years)

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure Statistics Elaboration / Remarks O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d b-fix = +.31 Family income/reference income (Log) O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d b-fix = +.21 Family income/reference income (Log), postive only O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d b-fix = +.36 Family income/reference income (Log), negative only

/- shaped relationship, both for positive and negative distance to reference income: smaller differences have a greater impact on happiness.

b's controlled for:
- Family composition
- Unemployment status
- Years of education
- Age
- Weekly hours worked