Chapter 6 - National Panel Studies Show Substantial Minorities Recording Long-Term Change in Life Satisfaction: Implications for Set Point Theory

Abstract

Set point theory can be directly tested only with panel datasets in which the life satisfaction/subjective well-being of adults has been measured repeatedly over a long period of time. Three long-running, high-quality panels are the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), and the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics Survey in Australia (HILDA). Evidence from these panels shows that substantial minorities of adults have recorded long-term change in life satisfaction. Explanations for change relate primarily to life priorities and behavioral choices, not discrete life events. Relevant life priorities are a commitment to pro-social and family values. Relevant behavioral choices include choice of partner, a preferred work–leisure balance, active social and community participation, volunteering, regular exercise, and churchgoing. Set point theory has led to a focus on factors that stabilize life satisfaction. It is suggested that although a “weak” version of set point theory could perhaps be salvaged, it will be more productive in the future for researchers to focus on individual and public policy choices that can change life satisfaction.