Oswald, Andrew J. and Wu, Stephen (2011) Well-being across America. Review of Economics and Statistics, Vol.93 (No.4). pp. 1118-1134. doi:10.1162/REST_a_00133

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Abstract

This paper uses Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to study life satisfaction and mental health across the geography of the United States. The analysis draws on a sample of 1.3 million citizens. Initially we control for people's personal characteristics (though not income). There is no correlation between states' regression-adjusted well-being and their GDP per capita. States like Louisiana, plus Washington, D.C., have high psychological well-being levels; California and West Virginia have low well-being. When we control for incomes, satisfaction with life is lower in richer states, just as compensating-differentials theory would predict. Nevertheless, some puzzles remain.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Well-being -- United States, Mental health -- United States
Journal or Publication Title:	Review of Economics and Statistics
Publisher:	M I T Press
ISSN:	0034-6535
Official Date:	2011
Dates:	Date Event 2011 Published
Date of first compliant deposit:	18 December 2015
Volume:	Vol.93
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 1118-1134
DOI:	10.1162/REST_a_00133
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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