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Happiness, generativity and social preferences in a developing country

Author

Listed:
  • Mostafa Elsayedshahen

    (School of Economics and Management, Kochi University of Technology)

  • Shibly Shahrier

    (BRAC University)

  • Koji Kotani

    (School of Economics and Management, Kochi University of Technology)

Abstract
Happiness, generativity and social preferences are pivotal factors for betterment and sustainability of societies. However, little is known about the relationship among happiness, generativity and social preferences along with sociodemographic factors within a single analytical framework. We hypothesize that generativity and social preferences are the determinants for happiness, and conduct a survey experiment collecting the data of five subjective happiness scales, generativity, social value orientation and sociodemographic variables in one urban area (Dhaka) and two rural areas (Bogra and Gaibandha), Bangladesh. With the data, we empirically characterize the determinants of subjective happiness with a focus on generativity and social value orientation, controlling for sociodemographic factors. The statistical analysis consistently shows positive association between subjective happiness and generativity, irrespective of the types of happiness scales, while social value orientation does not exhibit any significance. Rural residents have lower peer relative happiness than urban ones, and household income has positive relationship with general subjective happiness, leading each of these factors to be significant in overall subjective happiness. In summary, our results suggest that generativity and income are the main determinants, and economic growth with further urbanization, which is expected to occur in future, can negatively affect people’s happiness if it brings a decrease in generativity.

Suggested Citation

  • Mostafa Elsayedshahen & Shibly Shahrier & Koji Kotani, 2019. "Happiness, generativity and social preferences in a developing country," Working Papers SDES-2019-8, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Jul 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:kch:wpaper:sdes-2019-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Justyna Wiktorowicz & Izabela Warwas & Dariusz Turek & Iwa Kuchciak, 2022. "Does generativity matter? A meta-analysis on individual work outcomes," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 977-995, December.
    3. Leonardo Becchetti & Davide Bellucci, 2021. "Generativity, aging and subjective well-being," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(2), pages 141-184, June.
    4. Hirose, Junichi & Kotani, Koji & Managi, Shunsuke, 2023. "Do autonomy and inquisitiveness contribute to SDGs? Implications from the matrilineal island of Palau," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 303-318.
    5. Zhang Jingchao & Koji Kotani & Tatsuyoshi Saijo, 2021. "Are societies becoming proself? A topographical difference under fast urbanization in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(9), pages 12976-12993, September.
    6. Tatsuyoshi Saijo, 2020. "Future Design: Bequeathing Sustainable Natural Environments and Sustainable Societies to Future Generations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-21, August.
    7. Junichi Hirose & Koji Kotani & Shunsuke Managi, 2023. "How do autonomy and inquisitiveness play roles in sustainable development? Implications from matrilineal Island Palau," Working Papers SDES-2023-1, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Feb 2023.
    8. L. Becchetti & I.M. Buso & L. Corazzini & V. Pelligra, 2024. "The taste for Generativity," Working Paper CRENoS 202423, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    9. Shibly Shahrier & Koji Kotani & Tatsuyoshi Saijo, 2017. "Intergenerational sustainability dilemma and a potential solution: Future ahead and back mechanism," Working Papers SDES-2017-9, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Aug 2017.
    10. Mst Asma Khatun & Shibly Shahrier & Koji Kotani, 2020. "Cooperation and cognition gaps for salinity: A field experiment of information provision," Working Papers SDES-2020-4, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Jun 2020.
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    12. Constantinos N. Leonidou & Verena Gruber & Bodo B. Schlegelmilch, 2022. "Consumers’ Environmental Sustainability Beliefs and Activism : A Cross-Cultural Examination," Post-Print hal-04558564, HAL.
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    Keywords

    Happiness; generativity; social value orientation; sociodemographic factors; developing countries;
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