Publications Based on SOEP Data: SOEPlit

Einfluss regionaler sozialer Ungleichheits- und Arbeitsmarktmerkmale auf die Gesundheit

Der Einfluss von Kontextfaktoren auf den individuellen Gesundheitsstatus hat sich in zahlreichen Studien selbst dann gezeigt, wenn auf die individuelle sozioökonomische Situation (und sonstige relevante Einflussgrößen) kontrolliert wurde. Der Beitrag untersucht, ob und inwiefern sich Merkmale des Wohnortes auf den individuellen Gesundheitsstatus auswirken. Dabei wird nicht nur auf Einkommensniveau ...

The Influence of Regional Social Inequality and Labour Market Characteristics on Health

The influence of contextual factors on individual health status has been demonstrated by a number of studies even when controlling for the individual socio-economic situation (and other relevant factors). The article examines whether and to what extent variables of the place of residence have an effect on individual health status. We do not only refer to income levels and inequality, but also to effects ...

Reversal of migration flows: A fresh look at the German reunification

We investigate the dynamic effects of interregional labor market integration on migration flows, capital formation, and the price for housing services. The co-evolution of these variables depends on initial conditions at the time of labor market integration. In an initially capital-poor economy, there may be a reversal of migration flows during the transition to the steady state, while housing costs ...

In Pursuit of Happiness

Among employees in Germany, job satisfaction has been falling since the mid-1980s - an alarming finding. At the Max Planck Institute of Economics in Jena, researchers working with Martin Binder are studying the role that different forms of employment and states of health can play - and the circumstances under which this could be politically relevant.

Born lucky - or just lucky to be born rich? A note

A paper by social psychologists proclaimed that, for UK citizens, it could be shown that being born in the summer half-year was associated with a significantly higher belief in being lucky, compared with being born in the winter half-year. Are we that much determined by nonsocial forces? A test with German data about well-being also yielded a summer high, but smaller and somewhat time-lagged. However, ...

Regional Unemployment and Individual Satisfaction

The Direct and Indirect Impact of Religion on Well-Being in Germany

A European Social Survey (ESS)—based study of Clark and Lelkes on the European level showed a double positive connection between religion and life-satisfaction: not only did a personal involvement have a positive impact, but there was also a regional externality. Even atheists seemed to be happier in areas with many religious people. However, the regional structure of the ESS can be seen as methodologically ...

Employee-friendly labour time: a key element to a sustainable pattern of production and consumption

Whereas the preferences of consumers are a cornerstone of market economies, preferences of employees e.g., regarding the preferred amount of paid labour, usually are not. However, we have strong evidence that differences between aspired and actually worked weekly hours have a serious negative impact on life, job and health satisfaction. This paper investigates the gap between employees’ preferences ...

Health Insurance, Labor Supply, and Job Mobility: A Critical Review of the Literature

Finding a job: Consequences for life satisfaction and interactions with job quality