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Well-being priorities over the life cycle

Subjective well-being levels over the life cycle have been extensively studied. However, well-being priorities over the life cycle have not. I find there is a U-shape over the life cycle in the importance people place upon long term ‘cognitive' measures of well-being (worthwhileness of life, and overall life satisfaction), whilst this relationship is hump-shaped for short term ‘affective' measures (happiness yesterday, and anxiety). Using a simple model, I show that differences in time horizons and optimisation goals between individuals at different life stages may explain these relationships.