Determinants of Happiness in India: Ordered Probit Estimation of Life Satisfaction

Background: Maximising happiness of people is truly the proper measure of social and economic progress and the goal of any public policy. The socioeconomic and demographic factors that affect life satisfaction are so varied that many domains of life events influence happiness. Despite significant income growth and achievements in social indicators, India ranks poorly in the happiness rank. Such a disparity is attributed to the attitude of people towards positional and status concerns and the relative comparison of life evaluation. This paper attempts to identify the determinants of happiness and estimate their effect on life satisfaction among individuals in India. Specifically, this paper examines the relationship between income and life satisfaction in India in an attempt to understand whether money matters for happiness. Methodology: This study uses the sixth wave (2010-2014) of World Values Survey data across 12 Indian states. Since the response variable, life satisfaction or happiness, is measured in the WVS as an ordered category in the Likert scale, empirical estimation is based on the ordered probit method. The covariates considered as determinants of happiness in India are gender, social class, marital status, income, health status, employment status, education, number of children, age, and religion. Results: The estimated ordered probit results show that the probability of reporting happiness increases with education, health and social class whereas age, income, employment, children and gender have no statistical effect on happiness in India. Changes in the marginal effects are reported in the case of primary education, health, employment and middle social class. As income changes from high income to low income, people tend to become unhappier. Conclusion: Income, education, health and social status of people are positively associated with life satisfaction. Poor people and individuals in the middle social category are less happy.

Anomic Feelings and Happiness: Ordered logit estimation of the effects of freedom and control on subjective well-being

Background: Basic human concerns like money, income, health and family life do not satisfactorily explain fully the variations in subjective well-being. The long-run relationship between average income and subjective well-being is flat, despite the substantial rise in income and living standards. People value functional freedom and choice in social, political and institutional spheres of life than the concerns for money and economic well-being. This paper investigates whether anomic feelings like powerlessness, disillusion, dejection, subdued freedom and lack of trust and confidence could explain subjective well-being and the puzzling relationship between income and life satisfaction. Methodology: This study uses the sixth wave (2010-2014) World Values Survey data across 12 states. Anomic feelings are measured by the freedom of choice, control over own life and confidence in institutions. Since the subjective well-being indicators, life satisfaction and happiness are ordered categorical measures, the ordered logit regression method is used in the empirical estimation. Results: Anomic feelings of freedom of choice, control over own life and confidence in institutions influence life satisfaction significantly and positively. Conclusion: The attitude and confidence in institutions that govern freedom and choice and enable individuals to take own decision are important for a happy and satisfactory life in India.

Categorical Analysis on Mental Health Status of the people of Kerala during the COVID-19 Pandemic using the Proportional Odds Model

Background: Covid-19 pandemic forced people to get confined to social isolation and maintain social distancing which affected their mental health. The study aims at understanding the impact on the mental health status of people in Kerala, based on their demographic profile and the psychological issues faced during the Covid-19 lockdown. Methodology: The study included 700 respondents from various districts of Kerala telephonic and mailed questionnaires for the period of December 2020 - May 2021. Ordered logit model is used for the econometric analysis using R software. Results: The overall mental health status of an individual is affected by various reasons which are taken as various categories for the analysis. As a result of log odds estimated, Covid-19 patients are more disposed to mental health issues. Male respondents had a positive impact on mental health issues and unmarried people of all gender are disturbed with lockdown distress. Almost all occupational categories taken into account are more or less shaken with the pandemic except those with proper job security including Government and PSU workforces. Psychological, physical well-being is affected by the pandemic lockdown overall mental health system of people of Kerala. Conclusion: Covid-19 pandemic have affected the overall mental health of the people regardless of age and profession which can be more or less solved by the individuals themselves through yoga, meditation, exercise, reading books, gardening, cooking, virtual contacts with friends and family, getting enough sleep, etc. which helps tocan keep the mind relaxed and stable.

An Analysis on the Health and the Medical Demand in Korea: Using the Grossman Model / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: This study analyzes the effects of the individual's health behavior on the health and the medical demand for the management of health and medical expenses. METHODS: This study uses the Korea Health Panel Survey data from 2010 to 2015. We utilize the panel ordered logit model and the panel Tobit model with the subjective health status and the medical expenses as the dependent variables. RESULTS: Chronic diseases would cause the deterioration of his or her health and the increase in medical expenses. Smoking and drinking alcohol would deteriorate one's health. The total amount of cigarettes increases medical expenses. Exercises could make people healthier, whereas excessive exercise might increase medical expenses. Private health insurance would increase medical expenses. CONCLUSION: Since health could reduce the medical expenses, people should promote one's health by changing one's behavior for health.

Family structure and its impacts on the restrictions of self-perception of elderly health levels in Brazil / Estrutura familiar e seus impactos sobre as restrições da autopercepção dos níveis de saúde dos idosos no Brasil

Abstract The aim of the article is to investigate the impacts of co-residence over spouce and/or children on self-perceived health among Brazilian elderly. The database used was the health supplement of the National Sample Survey of Households (PNAD) conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2008. The sample consists of 36 551 people from all regions of the country such as urban areas and rurals. The results indicate that seniors with better socioeconomic status, who don't have physical mobility problems are more propenspos to a better self report among their health, regardless of the gender of the elderly. Regarding the impact of co-residence family health of respondents, living with daughters increases the probability that perception is better (specifically good or very good). Moreover,the results are consistent with the hypothesis that elderly brazilians realize better their health with home living with daughters and/or spouse.

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar os impactos da corresidência de cônjuge e/ou filhos sobre a autopercepção de saúde dos idosos brasileiros. A base de dados utilizada foi o suplemento de saúde da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílio (PNAD) realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) no ano de 2008. A amostra é composta de 36.551 pessoas de todas as regiões do país de áreas urbanas e rurais. Os resultados indicam que os idosos com melhor status socioeconômico e sem problemas de mobilidade física são mais propenspos a um melhor autorreporte de sua saúde, independente do gênero. Quanto ao impacto da corresidência familiar na saúde dos pesquisados, a convivência com filhas aumenta a probabilidade que a percepção seja melhor (especificamente boa ou muito boa). Ademais, os resultados são compatíveis com a hipótese de que os idosos brasileiros percebem melhor sua saúde com a convivência domiciliar com filhas e/ou cônjuge.

Analysis of Nutrition Teachers' Awareness of Necessity for an Operating School Meal Support Center in Chungnam / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the operation needs of school meal support centers (SMSC) in Chungnam-do based on analysis of nutrition teachers' perception of them. METHODS: The Chungnam government established the first SMSC in 2012. Thirteen SMSCs are currently being operated in Chungnam-do. To analyze the results quantitatively, we investigated nutrition teachers opinions regarding the necessity for SMSCs as a dependent variable and derived the independent variables based on the causal relationships with dependent variables using the ordered logit model. Those independent variables included region, school type, number of students, attitude regarding free meal policy, satisfaction with school meal policy, and preference for local food. RESULTS: Briefly, teachers in the region in which the SMSC was located more strongly supported the SMSC. In addition, teachers in public schools with a smaller number of students believed that having a SMSC is more beneficial, and that other variables also affected the necessity for SMSCs. Moreover, nutrition teachers preferred local foods rather than organic foods because of the unstable supply of organic foods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that the local government implement the policy consistently. Moreover, it was recommended that the government operate the SMSC more efficiently, enhance the roles of the SMSC as the local organization responsible for student nutritional planing and expand the coverage of agricultural products.

Analysis of Nutrition Teachers' Awareness of Necessity for an Operating School Meal Support Center in Chungnam / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the operation needs of school meal support centers (SMSC) in Chungnam-do based on analysis of nutrition teachers' perception of them. METHODS: The Chungnam government established the first SMSC in 2012. Thirteen SMSCs are currently being operated in Chungnam-do. To analyze the results quantitatively, we investigated nutrition teachers opinions regarding the necessity for SMSCs as a dependent variable and derived the independent variables based on the causal relationships with dependent variables using the ordered logit model. Those independent variables included region, school type, number of students, attitude regarding free meal policy, satisfaction with school meal policy, and preference for local food. RESULTS: Briefly, teachers in the region in which the SMSC was located more strongly supported the SMSC. In addition, teachers in public schools with a smaller number of students believed that having a SMSC is more beneficial, and that other variables also affected the necessity for SMSCs. Moreover, nutrition teachers preferred local foods rather than organic foods because of the unstable supply of organic foods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that the local government implement the policy consistently. Moreover, it was recommended that the government operate the SMSC more efficiently, enhance the roles of the SMSC as the local organization responsible for student nutritional planing and expand the coverage of agricultural products.

Uma análise da prevenção do câncer de mama no Brasil / An analysis of breast cancer prevention in Brazil

ResumoA presente pesquisa se propõe a estudar as inter-relações entre a prevenção do câncer de mama e os fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos, comportamentais, regionais e de saúde na determinação da frequência temporal à busca por prevenção via realização de mamografias e exames de mama no Brasil. A partir das informações do suplemento de saúde da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios, de 2008, foi construída uma amostra que contempla apenas mulheres com mais de 40 anos de idade. Para o atendimento do objetivo proposto, faz-se uso da estimação do modelo logit, ordenado de chances proporcionais parciais, que indicaram como principais resultados: i) melhores condições socioeconômicas, residir nas regiões mais desenvolvidas do país, uma composição familiar que inclua filhos, apresentar uma boa autoavaliação da própria saúde e já ter sido diagnosticada com algum tipo de câncer, desenham o perfil da mulher que mais se previne contra o câncer de mama, tanto em relação à procura por mamografia, como a uma maior demanda por exame de mama realizado por médico ou enfermeiro e; ii) os resultados apontam ainda para o fato de que grande parte das entrevistadas realizaram os exames em questão há pelo menos um ano, ou nunca passaram por tais procedimentos.

AbstractThis research sets out to study the interrelationship between breast cancer prevention and the socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral, regional and health factors in determining the temporal frequency of tests for prevention by performing mammograms and breast exams in Brazil. Based on the information of the health supplement of the National Sampling Survey of Domiciles of 2008, a sample that includes only women over age 40 was created. To achieve the desired goal, the estimate of the ordered logit model is used to establish partial proportional odds, which revealed the main results as follows. Women with a good socioeconomic status, living in the more developed regions of the country, family structure including children, making a good self-assessment of health and having been diagnosed with some type of cancer in the past. This is the profile of women who are best at preventing breast cancer, both in relation to the demand for mammograms and to a greater demand for breast exam performed by a doctor or a nurse. The results also point to the fact that the majority of those interviewed had either had the tests in question within the previous year, or had never been exposed to such procedures.