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Working Time Preferences, Hours Mismatch and Well-Being of Couples: Are There Spillovers?

Author

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  • Wunder, Christoph

    (Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg)

  • Heineck, Guido

    (University of Bamberg)

Abstract
We analyze how well-being is related to working time preferences and hours mismatch. Self-reported measures of life satisfaction are used as an empirical approximation of true wellbeing. Our results indicate that well-being is generally lower among workers with working time mismatch. Particularly underemployment is detrimental for well-being. We further provide first evidence on spillovers from the partner's working time mismatch. However, the spillover becomes insignificant once we control for the partner's well-being. This suggests that well-being is contagious, and the spillover is due to interdependent utilities. Females experience the highest well-being when their partner is working full-time hours. Male wellbeing is unaffected over a wide interval of the partner's working hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Wunder, Christoph & Heineck, Guido, 2012. "Working Time Preferences, Hours Mismatch and Well-Being of Couples: Are There Spillovers?," IZA Discussion Papers 6786, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6786
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    spillovers; subjective well-being; life satisfaction; working time preferences; working time mismatch; utility interdependence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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