Journal Article

How stable is happiness? Using the STARTS model to estimate the stability of life satisfaction

Authors

Publication date

2007

Abstract

A common interpretation of existing subjective well-being research is that long-term levels of well-being are almost completely stable. However, few studies have estimated stability and change using appropriate statistical models that can precisely address this question. The STARTS model (Kenny & Zautra, 2001) was used to analyze life satisfaction data from two nationally representative panel studies. Results show that 34-38% of the variance in observed scores is trait variance that does not change. An additional 29-34% can be accounted for by an autoregressive trait that is only moderately stable over time. Thus, although life satisfaction is moderately stable over long periods of time, there is also an appreciable degree of instability that might depend on contextual circumstances.

Published in

Journal of Research in Personality

Volume and page numbers

41 , 1091 -1098

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.11.005

ISSN

16

Subjects

Statistical Analysis and Well Being

Links

http://serlib0.essex.ac.uk/record=b1646812~S5

Notes

Albert Sloman Library Periodicals *restricted to Univ. Essex registered users*

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