Lycka
en studie av ekonomins inverkan på lyckan
AspirationHappinessLyckaEkonomiSocial problems and welfareNational insuranceSociala problemSocial välfärdSocialförsäkringLaw and Political Science
The purpose of this study was to examine and illustrate how people look at themselves and their happiness in relation to their economic situation. This study was based on interviews with eight adults divided in two groups, four were big-income earners and four were unemployed/sick-listed. I identified factors that affected the feeling of happiness such as family, friends and economy. During the process four themes were identified, happiness, work, economic strain and the importence of money versus happiness. The analysis was based on the concept of aspiration levels and an economic perspective.The conclusion of the analysis was a surprise to me, showing that economic strain could be detected in both groups but by different means. I thought economic strain would be more unusual in the group big-income earners. The economic strain in that group consist of the expensive leisure-time activity for the children and saving money for an economic buffer. The other group felt anxiety over their economic situation and the possibility that the goverment will lower the unemployment benefit. It seemed that people adjust their level of material aspirations to their level of income. Finally even though people said that money is not important for the level of happiness, they do admit that money is an important factor in life.