Abstract
Using data from a 2007 survey in Northern Ireland (representative sample, N = 1036), we replicate and extend the US-based findings of Lacey et al. (Journal of Happiness Studies 7:167–182, 2006). Consistent with Lacey et al., we find that young people mispredict happiness levels in old age, believing—wrongly—that happiness declines with age. We explore the possible implications of this under-estimation of happiness in old age for the risky health behaviours of young people. We find that young male binge drinkers are particularly prone to thinking that happiness declines with age.
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Notes
With quota controlled samples there is often a slight variation between the set quotas and the quotas actually achieved. This slight variation is addressed by using a ‘weighting’ variable in the analysis to ensure that the sample analysed is exactly representative of the wider population on the range of important demographics (age, sex, social class and location).
We are grateful to one of the anonymous referees for advice on this issue.
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This research was funded by Atlantic Philanthropies via the Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP) at Queen's University Belfast.
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Garry, J., Lohan, M. Mispredicting Happiness Across the Adult Lifespan: Implications for the Risky Health Behaviour of Young People. J Happiness Stud 12, 41–49 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-009-9174-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-009-9174-1