Beyond Happiness: Thriving - AARP€¦ · areas of one’s life. Lack of financial resources is tied to unhappiness. 4 *Note: The General Social Survey (GSS) is a sociological survey

Beyond Happiness: ThrivingThriving

Summary of Findings06.04.2012

1

Methodology• Research Vendor: Heart & Mind

Strategies

ApproachCreate a more robust understanding of what Happiness and Well-being mean to middle aged and older Americans—and use those insights to guide specific

St ateg es• Mixed Mode Survey • 4,397 completes MOE +/- 2%

• Online (2,544 completes)• Phone (1,853 completes)

• Landline (1 553 completes)h G

oal

and use those insights to guide specific tactics for how AARP can best position the benefits of what they offer to increase happiness and well-being among their

tit t

• Landline (1,553 completes)• Mobile (300 completes)

• Sample: Americans ages 35-80• Field dates: 11/9/11-12/04/11

QuotasRese

arch

constituents.

• Examine levels of happiness using a mix of singular measures as well as

• Quotas • Age/Gender• Region• Ethnicity• AARP Segments

R

mix of singular measures as well as develop a multi-dimensional construct to measure happiness

• Identify the enablers and barriers to happiness and apply multivariate

• Total data weighted to Census: • Age/Gender• Region• Ethnicityiv

es

happiness and apply multivariate analyses to explore the relationship between multiple drivers of happiness

• Understand to what extent, institutions can play a role in supporting one’s

• Income• Mode (equal weighting by mode)

• MME Augments • Black/African-Americans O

bjec

ti

can play a role in supporting one’s happiness, either directly, or via being part of contextually relevant experiences

• n=550 MOE = +/- 4%• Latino/Hispanic

• n=550 MOE = +/- 4%• Asian (English speaking)

• n=150 MOE = +/-8%2

Measuring Happiness

Approach 1:Use a Simple Stated Measure (Existing GSS measure)

Approach 2:Create a Multi-variate Index: “Thriving Index”(based on PERMA framework)

Uses the same measure as the General Social Survey (GSS). Taken all together, how would you

say things are these days – would

( )

Respondents rated a series of multiple statements in 5 areas in terms of how well they described their lives. The statements relate to Pleasure, Engagement, Relationships,

you say that you are… Very Happy Pretty Happy Not Too Happy

, g g , p ,Meaning and Accomplishment. The five statements were based on current

literature of happiness research and builds on the concepts of leading happiness researchers including Martin Seligman and his PERMA Not Too Happy

Easy to understand, comparable to existing data, but has some analytic limitations due to its simplistic t t

g gframework.

A composite score was created for each respondent based on how they rated the statements. This score was used to create a Thriving Index, a single number based upon a

structure. multivariate framework built on key dimensions of happiness

The advantage of the composite score is that it provides a more in-depth assessment of

Source for GSS Measure:Smith, Tom W, Peter Marsden, Michael Hout, and Jibum Kim. General Social Surveys, 1972-2010: cumulative codebook / p p

happiness and a more robust measure to use as a dependent variable for analytical models, but can be more difficult to explain.

3

Principal Investigator, Tom W. Smith; Co-Principal Investigator, Peter V. Marsden; Co-Principal Investigator, Michael Hout. -- Chicago: National Opinion Research Center, 2011. 3,610 pp., 28cm. --(National Data Program for the Social Sciences Series, no. 21).Source for PERMA Framework:Seligman, M. (2011), Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. New York:, Free Press.

Key TakeawaysM t A i 35+ h b t d t Most Americans ages 35+ are happy, but compared to historical General Social Survey (GSS)* data, levels of happiness are on the decline and at their lowest levels (due in part to the economy).

There is a U-shaped happiness curve; early 50s is the lowest point of well being. As people continue to age and eventually retire, they are able

to devote more time to building relationships and enjoying to devote more time to building relationships and enjoying simple everyday pleasures.

Younger people are still working on their accomplishments.

Health is a universal enabler of happiness. Health is a universal enabler of happiness. Without health, it is difficult to achieve happiness. A comparison of perceptions of health against number of serious

conditions indicates there is a relative view of good health based on one’s ageon one s age.

Income matters, but does not guarantee happiness. It becomes a resource which can be applied to meaningful areas of one’s life. Lack of financial resources is tied to unhappiness.

4*Note: The General Social Survey (GSS) is a sociological survey used to collect data on demographic characteristics and attitudes of residents of the United States. The survey is conducted face-to-face with an in-person interview by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, of a randomly-selected sample of adults (18+) who are not institutionalized. Definition Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Social_Survey

Section 1: Happiness Today How happy are Americans 35-80?Who are the happiest people?

5

Who are the Happiest People?Top box happiness scores correlate strongest Overall, most respondents (68%) report being Happy gwith the PERMA inspired “Thriving Index” created for this study, perceptions of being happier than others, higher levels of income, having a sense of control over happiness (also tied to income), and having good h lth

( ) gwith the largest percentage indicating that they are Pretty happy. This measure is based on the GSS question and levels are somewhat lower than found in the past. This may be due in part to a slightly different sample frame, but also due to a longitudinal trend in happiness. (2010 GSS th l t d )

Very h

DK/Unsure2%

health.

% Very Happy

(2010 GSS measures were the lowest on record.)

happy19%Not too

happy30%

38% Highest Thriving Index Scorers

35% Happier than others

30% Income $125k+Pretty happy

49%

30% Income $125k+

27% Happiness in control

25% No serious health conditions

25% Next generation = Equally happy25% Next generation Equally happy

“Questions about general and marital happiness and satisfaction with finances and jobs have varied little over time. But in 2010 general happiness slipped to an all-time low with less than 29% saying that they were “very happy,” a drop of 5 percentage points since 2004.”

6BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ1000: Taken all together, how would you say things are these days – would you say that you are…

saying that they were very happy, a drop of 5 percentage points since 2004. – Tom Smith, Director of the General Social Survey (GSS)Trends in Well-being, 1972-2010Source: http://www.norc.org/PDFs/publications/GSSTrendsinWellbeing_March2011.pdf

Stated HappinessMulti-cultural segmentsg

When looking at multi-cultural breaks, African-Americans have the highest percentage of Very happy, followed closely by Hispanics. While Hispanics have the second highest percentage of Very happy, they also have the highest percentage of Not too happy. Asians have the lowest

ti f N t t h

V H P tt H N t T H

proportion of Not too happy.

19% 49% 30%Total

Very Happy Pretty Happy Not Too Happy

18% 51% 29%Caucasian

24%

19%

44%

53%

29%

26%

African-American*

Asian

7

23% 43% 32%Hispanic

BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ1000: Taken all together, how would you say things are these days – would you say that you are…

* Note:African-Americans, as a group, tend to score themselves higher on many measures throughout the survey, and as a result higher happiness levels may be due in part to a cultural response bias.

Stated HappinessGender, marital status, education and employmentp y

Among other demographic comparisons, women tend to be happier than men. Relationships matter, as those who are married or in a relationship are the happiest and lowest levels of happiness are observed among those who are single and have never been married. Those who are either retired or currently employed are significantly more happy than those not employed for

Very happy Pretty happy Not too happyGenderMale 18% 47% 33%

are either retired or currently employed are significantly more happy than those not employed for pay.

Female 21% 51% 26%

Marital StatusSingle, never married 12% 47% 38%Married/In a relationship 22% 50% 26%Married/In a relationship 22% 50% 26%Widowed or Divorced/separated 15% 46% 37%

EducationHigh school or less 17% 44% 37%gCollege/College degree/Vocational/Tech 19% 50% 28%Post graduate/Degree 23% 52% 23%

EmploymentFull or Part time 21% 52% 25%

8

Full or Part time 21% 52% 25%Retired 22% 48% 28%Not employed for pay 12% 42% 43%

Section 2: Happiness and AgeHow does happiness change with age?

9

How Happiness Varies by AgeWhen isolating top box scores (% Very happy) a U-shape begins to emerge (although it is among a fairly narrow range from 16% to 24%).

22%

24%23%24%

26%

19%

22%

%

20%

22%

appi

ness

%Ve

ry H

appy

Total 19%

17%16%

17%18%

14%

16%

18%H %

10%

12%

14%


10%35-39 40-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70 71-75 76-80

Age

Thriving Index by AgeLevels of happiness (when looking at the Thriving Index) illustrate a partial U-shape when plotted Levels of happiness (when looking at the Thriving Index) illustrate a partial U shape when plotted against age breaks. Given that the sample for this study focused on 35+ and did not include younger respondents, this distribution fits with past research (which would include younger respondents who are associated with higher levels of happiness).

15.8

16.1

16.0

16.5

15.415.5

Thriv

ing

Inde

x Sc

ore

14.8 14 8

14.915.0Total 14.9

14.8

14.514.3

14.6

14 0

14.5

11

14.035-39 40-45 46-50 51-55 56-60 61-65 66-70 71-75 76-80

AgeBASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2005: How well does each of the following statements describe you? (USED TO CREATE INDEX)

Dimensions of HappinessStated importancep

Health and Relationships are the two

How important are the following to your life?

% t l t t

73%

68%

Health

Relationships

Health and Relationships are the two dimensions which people report to hold the greatest importance in their lives, while Pleasure ranks third.

Accomplishment Meaning and

% Extremely Important

47%

40%

Pleasure

Accomplishment

Accomplishment, Meaning and Engagement all score comparably and hold moderate importance.

The remaining two dimensions, Time

AVG. 46%

38%

37%

34%

Meaning

Engagement

Time

gand Money are both enablers and people report them to hold the least importance (although Money does have slightly higher importance among respondents who have 34%

31%

Time

Money

among respondents who have household income of less than $25,000 per year.) 38% <$25k

30% $25k-<$75k26% $75k-<$125k27% $125k+

N t

12BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2000: How important are the following to your life?

Note:Attributes above are shortened labels to representing longer statements used in the survey.

Attribute Importance Top Box ScoreCompared to happiness by agep pp y g

Comparing the importance of the different dimensions by age reveals that most are relatively flat, indicating that importance of specific areas does not change as one ages. Health is a slight exception. None of the dimensions come close to approximating the U-shape of happiness in t f th i i d i t

20%

25%

70%

80%

90%terms of their perceived importance.

15%50%

60%

70%

PLEASURE

ENGAGEMENT

RELATIONSHIPS

MEANING

Hap Impo

rtant

10%

30%

40%

MEANING

ACCOMPLISHMENT

TIME

MONEY

HEALTH

piness

% E

xtre

mel

y

5%

10%

20%

HEALTH

Very happy

%

0%0%35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-80

13BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2000: How important are the following to your life?


Attribute Performance Top Box ScoreCompared to happiness by agep pp y g

Performance on attributes, however, does illustrate change by age groups. In many cases, perceived performance increases with age, but there are two areas which show a U-shape, Healthand Money (the U-shape of Money becomes more distinct when looking at top 2 box scores).

20%

25%

70%

80%

15%

20%

50%

60%PLEASURE

ENGAGEMENT

RELATIONSHIPS

Hape ve

ry w

ell

10%30%

40%MEANING

ACCOMPLISHMENT

TIME

MONEY

piness

Desc

ribes

m

5%

10%

20%HEALTH

Very happy

% D

0%0%35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-80

14BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2005: How well does each of the following statements describe you?


Total Total Contribution to ModelContribution to Model

IndividualIndividualContributors to ModelContributors to Model

Happiness Path Model by Age

THRIVING INDEX OF HAPPINESS

5-49

The overall model improves with

each successive age group

Meaning (.21)

Engagement (.18)

20

Age

35 g g p

Pleasure (.08)

Accomplishment (.05)

Relationships (.05)

.20

64

Meaning (.25)Engagement (.15)

25

Relationships do not show up as a strong

predictor due to lack of variance

and are considered “table stakes”

Age

50-

6

Pleasure (.09)


Relationships (.06)

.25

5-80

Meaning (.23)

Engagement (.16)

Impact of pleasureincreases substantially

among Ages 65-80

15

Age

6 Pleasure (.16)


Relationships (.01)

.26

All numbers in arrows shown represent R-square (range: 0 – 1.0). Larger numbers = stronger predictor.All numbers in parenthesis represent formative loadings. They represent their relative weight of each item.

Section 3: Happiness and HealthHow does health relate to happiness?

16

Dimensions of HappinessImportance vs. performancep p

Performance lags importance across all attributes, but the biggest gap is associated with health. This gap is a function of high levels of importance as well as relatively low performance. Relationships and Money are a distant second.

How important are the following to your life?

% Extremely Important

How well does each of the following statements describe you?

% Very WellGAP-45

-18

73%

68%

Health

Relationships

28%

50%

Health

Relationships

-8

-10

-8

47%

40%

38%

Pleasure

Accomplishment

Meaning

39%

30%

30%

Pleasure

Accomplishment

Meaning8-7-6

38%

37%

34%

Meaning

Engagement

Time

30%

30%

28%

g

Engagement

Time

-18TOTAL GAP -120 17

31%Money 13%Money

BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2000: How important are the following to your life?Q2005: How well does each of the following statements describe you?

8% <$25k11% $25k-<$75k15% $75k-<$125k24% $125k+

Perceptions of HealthHealth is closely related to happiness. Those who report Excellent health are the most likely to indicate they are Very happy and least likely to report being Not too happy. Conversely, most of those in Poor or Terrible health indicate they are Not too happy. A similar trend is observed with the Thriving Index scores.

62%%Not Too Happy

41%ines

s

24%

41%

22%

Happ

8%10%

%Very Happy

18BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ1000: Taken all together, how would you say things are these days – would you say that you are…Q5027: How would you rate your overall health?

Poor/Terrible Health Fair Health Excellent/Good Health

12.8 13.5 15.6Thriving Index

Perceived Health vs. Serious Conditions By age groupsy g g p

Perceptions of one’s health are relatively stable across the age cohorts despite a 400% increase in the proportion of respondents who report suffering from two or more medical conditions. This finding suggests that when thinking on one’s health, a relative perspective plays a strong role.

Excellent/Good Fair Poor/Terrible None One Two or More

Perceived Health Serious Health Conditions

72%

71%

69%

24%

20%

23%

3%

9%

7%

35-39

40-44

45-49

65%

60%

50%

19%

20%

21%

12%

17%

26%

35-39

40-44

45-49

64%

67%

28%

24%

7%

9%

50-54

55-59

41%

34%

26%

24%

31%

40%

50-54

55-59

66%

68%

68%

26%

23%

24%

8%

8%

7%

60-64

65-69

70-74

25%

24%

15%

29%

27%

30%

45%

46%

53%

60-64

65-69

70-74

19

65% 26% 8%75-80 22% 28% 49%75-80BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ5027: How would you rate your overall health?Q5030: How many, if any, chronic or serious medical conditions do you suffer from? This would include conditions like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis as well as cancer or heart disease.

Locus of ControlMost people believe they are at least partially masters of their own happiness destiny. Over half feel that they have control over their own level of happiness (57%) and another third believe that happiness is a mix of things they control and things they don’t (36%). Sense of control is linked to income, life events, education and health.

Perceived control over Happiness

ROL 79%

Very/Pretty In

controlNot in

control21%

36%

Totally in control

Mostly in controlN

ET IN

CO

NT

57%

Very/Pretty Happy

15.9 ThrivingIndex

control control<$25K 20% 36%

$25K-<$75K 39% 40%

$75K-<$125K 21% 13%

36%Mix

31%

$125K+ 14% 4%

Had Significant Life Event 66% 79%

5%

3%

Mostly out of control

Totally out of control N

ET O

UT O

F

CO

NTR

OL

7%

31% Very/Pretty Happy

12.2ThrivingI d

Post Graduate Education 19% 8%

20

control

BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2015: To what extent do you feel you have control over your own personal happiness?

N C Index2+ Health Conditions 29% 46%

Locus of ControlBy age groupsy g g p

Perceived control over happiness increases with age. This increase comes from a shift between perceptions of happiness being a mix of things controlled and things not controlled to the belief that one’s happiness is mostly/totally in one’s control.

56% 36% 7%Total

In your control Mix Out of your control

56%

52%

36%

38%

7%

9%

35-39

40-44

52%

53%

55%

39%

38%

37%

7%

8%

7%

45-49

50-54

55-59 55%

60%

61%

64%

37%

33%

30%

31%

7%

7%

8%

5%

55 59

60-64

65-69

70 74

21

64%

69%

31%

27%

5%

5%

70-74

75-80

BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ2015: To what extent do you feel you have control over your own personal happiness?

Section 4: Happiness and RelationshipsHow do relationships impact happiness?

22

Stated HappinessRelationship statusp

Relationships matter, as those who are married or in a relationship are the happiest. Conversely, lowest levels of happiness are observed among those who are single.

Very Happy Pretty Happy Not Too Happy

19% 49% 30%Total

22% 50% 26%In a Relationshp (NET*)

14% 46% 37%Single (NET**)


*Includes in a relationship, but not living with partner; living with partner, and married.** Includes single, never married, divorced or separated, and widowed.

Contribution to HappinessStrongest contributors

72%Watching your children, grandchildren or close relative succeed …

How much do the following experiences contribute to your personal happiness? (%A lot)

* * * * * * * * * 72%72%69%69%

g y , g

Kissing or hugging someone you love

Being told you are a person who can be trusted or relied upon

Spending time with your family or friends such as a meal or …

Pleasure

Engagement

Relationshipx

x x x x x x x x

x x x x x x x

# # # # # # #

64%61%60%

Experiencing a special moment with a child

Enjoying natural beauty like a sunset or the ocean

Hearing or seeing something funny that makes you laugh

Meaning

Accomplishment

Recognition

x x x x x x x -

*#

58%57%56%53%

Participating in a family tradition or celebration

Spending time with or receiving affection from your pet

Feeling like a really important prayer was answered

H i d thi i f t dl

g

x x x x x x

----------------

----------------

#

53%53%52%51%

Having someone do something nice for you unexpectedly

Overcoming a challenge in your life

Participating in a special occasion (vacations, holiday meals, …

Making progress on your personal goals

* * * * * *

* * * * * *

24BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ3005: How much do the following experiences contribute to your personal happiness? Not at all, somewhat or a lot?

51%50%

a g p og ess o you pe so a goa s

Listening to music you enjoy

Contribution to HappinessSecondary contributors

48%Practicing your religious or spiritual faith


------------- 48%48%47%46%

Practicing your religious or spiritual faith

Building or making something that you are proud of

Losing weight or improving your health

Having a date or spending romantic time with someone

Pleasure

Engagement

Relationshipxx x x x x

* * * * *

* * * * *

46%41%39%38%

g p g

Being thanked for something you did that you did not have to do

Being absorbed in a favorite hobby or interest

Volunteering your time to help out a worthy cause

Meaning

Accomplishment

Recognition----------

-

*

# # # #

#38%37%36%

Doing something spontaneous or out of the norm just for the fun of it

Treating yourself to a favorite food, drink or meal

Mentoring or advising someone

g

----------

#

35%32%31%

Exercising such as working out or taking a brisk walk

Being asked for your advice or opinion

Contributing your money to help a charity or cause --------

# # #


31%30%

Receiving a raise or promotion at work

Becoming immersed in a book or magazine

* * *

Contribution to HappinessTertiary contributors


28%

26%

Being recognized or rewarded for an achievement

Becoming engrossed in a favorite TV show or movie

Pleasure

Engagement

Relationshipx

* * * * * *

24%

20%

Spending time or money on yourself to treat yourself in some way

Winning an award or a competition

Meaning

Accomplishment

Recognition

-

* * * *

*#%

19%Completing a word puzzle, logic puzzle, or something similar

g#

18%

16%

Viewing or participating in a sport or competitive event

Connecting with friends or family on a social media site like Facebook x x x


15%Competing with others in a non-athletic game (i.e., board game, card game, video game, etc.)

Contribution to HappinessTime with a pet

How much do the following experiences contribute to your personal happiness?

Spending time with a pet(% Contributes A lot)Relationships include

57%

81%76%75%

Total

Female 66-80

Widowed

ppets, and among those who own pets, spending time with a pet can be a substantial way to 75%

68%68%67%

64%

66-80

Female 46-65

Male 66-80

NET Single

Female

substantial way to contribute to one’s happiness.

64%58%

53%48%

46%

Female

46-65

NET In A Relationship

Male

Male 46-65

Pets can be especially strong contributors to happiness among women singles and 46%

44%43%42%

Female 35-45

35-45

Male 35-45

women, singles and older individuals.

27BASE: PET OWNERSQ3005: How much do the following experiences contribute to your personal happiness? Not at all, somewhat or a lot?

Contribution to HappinessBiggest differences by age

As respondents age, the ability for certain activities to contribute to one’s

67%

55%62%

47%

Experiencing a special moment with a child

Making progress on your personal goals

for

happiness shift.

Biggest changes revolve around work (receiving a raise or promotion)

53%

39%

27%

40%

25%

21%

Having a date or spending romantic time with someone

Receiving a raise or promotion at work

Spending time or money on yourself to treat yourself in some wayat

er c

ontri

buto

r fA

ge 3

5-49

raise or promotion) and Having a date or spending romantic time with someone, which contribute less as

23%

21%18%

16%

some way

Winning an award or a competition

Viewing or participating in a sport or competitive event

Gre

a contribute less as you age. Many of the rest are accomplishment oriented.

57%

48%

45%

64%

56%

50%

Enjoying natural beauty like a sunset or the ocean

Having someone do something nice for you unexpectedly

Practicing your religious or spiritual faithutor

for

0

Several items increase in their ability to provide happiness and activities rooted in gratitude and

37%

36%

26%

50%

44%

42%

32%

Being thanked for something you did that you did not have to do

Being absorbed in a favorite hobby or interest

Becoming immersed in a book or magazine

Age 35-49

Age 50-80Gre

ater

con

trib

Age

50-

80 gratitude and kindness top the list.

16%32%

21%Completing a word puzzle, logic puzzle, or something

similar

Age 50 80


Section 5: Happiness and Life EventsHow do life events impact happiness?

29

Recent Major Life Events

61%29%Illness/Health issues

% Experienced in last 12 monthsMost respondentshave experienced a major life event in the last 12 months. Health

% NET Happy68% Total

47%

62%

70%

28%

22%

12%

Financial trouble

Loss of loved one

Birth of child/grandchild

issues and financial trouble are the most commonly experienced life events and both are

65%

47%

70%

10%

9%

9%

Family or Friend moved in

Lost job

Started new job

events and both are associated with lower levels of happiness (although financial trouble is a much bi b i t 70%

63%

67%

9%

8%

7%

Started new job

Retired

Moved

bigger barrier to happiness).

While life events included both positive

77%69%

50%

7%

4%

3%

Financial gain

Marriage

Divorce

pand negative events, those who were happiest were those who experienced none of the events

49%

78% 30

2%

31%

Lost home

None of the above

none of the events measured.

BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ3000: Which of the following life events have you experienced in the last 12 months?Q1000: Taken all together, how would you say things are these days – would you say that you are…

Recent Major Life EventsHappiness drops off with each successive major life event, until four or more life events are experienced. Size of audience declines to less than 5% after four events.

78%

69%

64%

ines

stty

Hap

py Total 68%

59%

52%

Happ

i%

Very

/Pre

t

None One Two Three Four or more31% 28% 18% 12% 10%Percent

Number of life events experienced in last 12 months31BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTS

Q3000: Which of the following life events have you experienced in the last 12 months?Q1000: Taken all together, how would you say things are these days – would you say that you are…

31% 28% 18% 12% 10%Experienced

Section 6: Happiness and MoneyCan money buy happiness?

32

Does Income Matter?Income and happiness are positively correlated. When comparing the percentage of those Very Happy by income ranges, the slope increases up to the $75k mark, then continues to rise even more dramatically.

43%0.4

0.45

0.5

%Not Too Happy

30%30% 24%0.3

0.35

ppin

ess

17%20% 19%

0.15

0.2

0.25

Hap

%Very Happy14%

0

0.05

0.1


0< $25K $25K-$75k $75K-$125K $125K+

Income

Buying Happiness

o sp

end

At first glance, happiness expenditures are tied

$100

to

expenditures are tied closely to family & paying bills.

At the higher level money is directed at larger scale purchases including vacations, cars and homes.

o sp

end

homes.

There is an increased mention of paying bills with $10,000. The $100 t t

$10,

000

to$100 amount may not be large enough to significantly improve one’s debt.

34BASE: ALL QUALIFIED RESPONDENTSQ1020a Imagine you were given an extra $100 to spend on something that would make you happy. How would you use it?Q1020b Imagine you were given an extra $10,000 to spend on something that would make you happy. How would you use it?

Documents

Beyond Happiness: Thriving - AARP€¦ · areas of one’s life. Lack of financial resources is tied to unhappiness. 4 *Note: The General Social Survey (GSS) is a sociological survey