TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Cheng, Terence Chai
AU  - Powdthavee, Nattavudh
AU  - Oswald, Andrew J.
        TI  - Longitudinal Evidence for a Midlife Nadir in Human Well-being: Results from Four Data Sets
        PY  - 2014/Feb/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 7942
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp7942
        AB  - There is a large amount of cross-sectional evidence for a midlife low in the life cycle of human happiness and well-being (a 'U shape'). Yet no genuinely longitudinal inquiry has uncovered evidence for a U-shaped pattern. Thus some researchers believe the U is a statistical artefact. We re-examine this fundamental cross-disciplinary question. We suggest a new test. Drawing on four data sets, and only within-person changes in well-being, we document powerful support for a U-shape in unadjusted longitudinal data without the need for regression equations. The paper's methodological contribution is to exploit the first-derivative properties of a well-being equation.
        KW  - longitudinal study
KW  - subjective well-being
KW  - life-cycle happiness
KW  - U shape
        ER  -