Early-life correlates of later-life well-being: Evidence from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study

Journal article: We here use data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (WLS) to provide one of the first analyses of the distal (early-life) and proximal (later-life) correlates of older-life subjective well-being. Unusually, we have two distinct measures of the latter: happiness and eudaimonia. Even after controlling for proximal covariates, outcomes at age 18 (IQ score, parental income and parental education) remain good predictors of well-being over 50 years later. In terms of the proximal covariates, mental health and social participation are the strongest predictors of both measures of well-being in older age. However, there are notable differences in the other correlates of happiness and eudaimonia. As such, well-being policy will depend to an extent on which measure is preferred.

Author(s)

Andrew E. Clark, Tom Lee

Journal
  • Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
Date of publication
  • 2021
Keywords JEL
I31 I38
Keywords
  • Life-course
  • Well-being
  • Eudaimonia
  • Health
  • Happiness
Pages
  • 360-368
Version
  • 1
Volume
  • 181