Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Unifying Livability and Comparison Theory: Cross-National Time-Series Analysis of Life-Satisfaction

  • Published:
Social Indicators Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The two major theories of QOL judgment – livability and comparison theories – are tested. The first states that only absolute level of objective variables will affect QOL, whereas the second states that only differences in objective variables will. A 25-year, 8-nation database was developed that allows more powerful tests than previous research. Consistent with previous studies and with livability theory, absolute level of GDP/person had the largest effect on life-satisfaction. Contrary to previous research, a reliable effect was also found for differences in GDP/person and the consumer price index. The length of these effects is 9 or 10 quarters. That is, consumers take into account changes as far back as 2 or 2 1/2 years, in addition to their absolute level of GDP/person.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Chin-Hon-Foei, Sasqia: 1989, 'Life satisfaction in the EC countries 1975– 1984', in R. Veenhoven (ed.), Did the Crisis Really Hurt? (University Press, Rotterdam).

  • Diener, E., M. Diener and C. Diener: 1995, 'Factors predicting the subjective well-being of nations', Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 69, pp. 851–864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., E. Sandvik, L. Seidlitz and M. Diener: 1993, 'The relationship between income and subjective well-being: Relative or absolute?', Social Indicators Research 28, pp. 195–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fair, R. C.: 1978, 'The effect of economic events on votes for president', The Review of Economics and Statistics 60, pp. 159–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Headey, B. and A. Wearing: 1989, 'Personality, life events, and subjective wellbeing: Toward a dynamic equilibrium model', Social Indicators Research 57, pp. 731–739.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lance, C. E., A. G. Mallard and A. C. Michalos: 1995, 'Tests of the causal directions of global-life facet satisfaction relationships', Social Indicators Research 34, pp. 69–92.

  • OECD, Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development: 1996, Quarterly National Accounts (OECD, Paris).

    Google Scholar 

  • Varey, C. A. and D. Kahneman: 1992, 'Experiences extended across time: Evaluation of moments and episodes', Journal of Behavioral Decision Making 5, pp. 169–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven, R.: 1993, Happiness in Nations: Subjective Appreciation of Life in 55 Nations 1946–1990 (RISBO, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Available by FTP).

    Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven, R. with the assistance of J. Ehrhardt: 1995, 'The cross-national pattern of happiness: Test of predictions implied in three theories of happiness', Social Indicators Research 34, pp. 33–68.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616

    Michael R. Hagerty

Authors
  1. Michael R. Hagerty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hagerty, M.R. Unifying Livability and Comparison Theory: Cross-National Time-Series Analysis of Life-Satisfaction. Social Indicators Research 47, 343–356 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006973129588

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006973129588

Keywords

Search

Navigation