Publication type
Journal Article
Author
Publication date
June 1, 2008
Abstract:
There is substantial evidence in the psychology and sociology literature that social relationships promote happiness for the individual. Yet the size of their impacts remains largely unknown. This paper explores the use of shadow pricing method to estimate the monetary values of the satisfaction with life gained by an increase in the frequency of interaction with friends, relatives, and neighbours. Using the British Household Panel Survey, I find that an increase in the level of social involvements is worth up to an extra £85,000 a year in terms of life satisfaction. Actual changes in income, on the other hand, buy very little happiness.
Published in
Journal of Socio-Economics
Volume
Volume: 37 (4):1459-1480
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2007.04.004
Subjects
Notes
Albert Sloman Library Periodicals *restricted to Univ. Essex registered users*
#509575