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RESEARCH PRODUCT
The biometric antecedents to happiness
Christian HakulinenJaakko PehkonenJutta ViinikainenPetri BöckermanMirka HintsanenJorma ViikariJorma ViikariOlli T. RaitakariOlli T. RaitakariAlex Brysonsubject
MaleEmotionsHappinessSocial Scienceslcsh:MedicineBlood Pressure050109 social psychologyBiochemistryVascular MedicineDevelopmental psychologyPregnancyMedicine and Health ScienceshappinessPsychologyEthnicitiesPublic and Occupational Health050207 economicsChildlcsh:Scienceta512Finlandmedia_commonMultidisciplinary05 social sciencesConfoundingAge FactorsBiometricsAdipose TissueChild PreschoolFemaleAnatomyPsychologyResearch ArticleAdultAdolescentBiometrics515 Psychologymedia_common.quotation_subjectPhysical activityResearch and Analysis MethodsSex FactorsComputational Techniques0502 economics and businessAdultsHumansPersonality0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesAssociation (psychology)Triglyceridesbiometric antecedentslcsh:RBiology and Life SciencesPhysical Activityta3121ta3123Biological TissueAge GroupsNegative relationshipPeople and PlacesHappinessPopulation Groupingslcsh:QLiterature studyBiomarkersFinnsFollow-Up Studiesdescription
It has been suggested that biological markers are associated with human happiness. We contribute to the empirical literature by examining the independent association between various aspects of biometric wellbeing measured in childhood and happiness in adulthood. Using Young Finns Study data (n = 1905) and nationally representative linked data we examine whether eight biomarkers measured in childhood (1980) are associated with happiness in adulthood (2001). Using linked data we account for a very rich set of confounders including age, sex, body size, family background, nutritional intake, physical activity, income, education and labour market experiences. We find that there is a negative relationship between triglycerides and subjective well-being but it is both gender- and age-specific and the relationship does not prevail using the later measurements (1983/1986) on triglycerides. In summary, we conclude that none of the eight biomarkers measured in childhood predict happiness robustly in adulthood. peerReviewed
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-09-15 | PLOS ONE |