The Strength of the Causal Relationship between Living Conditions and Satisfaction

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2330367
AutoresWillem E Saris (0000-0002-2513-8589, University of Amsterdam, autor de correspondencia)
Año2001
Volumen30
Número1
Páginas11-34
Fecha de publicación2001-08-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSociological Methods & Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0049-1241 • E-ISSN: 1552-8294
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0049124101030001002
OpenAlexW2121465863
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas18

This article attempts to explicate the subjective variable satisfaction with life in general by means of the objective variable income. The reason for this study is that, so far, the objective living conditions have been found to have little effect on the subjective feelings of people. Several different approaches have been used to estimate the strength of this relationship. First, correction for measurement errors was tried, then an alternative formulation of the relationship was tested using difference scores instead of the original variables. Next, nonlinear relationships between these variables were introduced. None of these methods led to any substantial strengthening of the relationship. Finally, a model was tested controlling for lagged variables and correcting for measurement errors in a panel design. The combination of these changes led to a considerable effect of the objective variable on satisfaction. This article shows how biased estimates of relationships can be. A specific combination of approaches led to a fundamentally different result

Causal model · Econometrics · Feeling · Happiness · Life satisfaction · Statistics · Subjective well-being · Variable (mathematics) · Variables · Cultural Differences and Values · Mathematics · Organic Food and Agriculture · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology