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Journal of Happiness Studies
Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies 8/2019

18-12-2018 | Research Paper

Commuting and Life Satisfaction Revisited: Evidence on a Non-linear Relationship

Authors: Julia Ingenfeld, Tobias Wolbring, Herbert Bless

Published in: Journal of Happiness Studies | Issue 8/2019

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Abstract

Prior research has documented linear detrimental effects of commuting on individuals’ life satisfaction: the longer individuals’ daily commute, the less satisfied they are with their life. An inspection of the available longitudinal evidence suggests that this conclusion is almost exclusively based on a continuous operationalization of commuting time and distance with a focus on a linear relationship. In contrast, cross-sectional evidence indicates preliminary evidence for non-linear effects and suggests that negative effects of commuting are particularly likely when commuting exceeds a certain threshold of time or distance. Relying on nationally representative data for Germany, the present study applies longitudinal modelling comparing estimates from a continuous and a categorical operationalization. Results clearly indicate a non-linear association and show that negative effects of commuting are almost completely due to individuals who commute more than 80 km (50 miles) daily per way. These findings are in conflict with prior research (partly resting on the same data) proposing a linear relationship. Further analyses suggest that satisfaction with leisure time is a significant mediator of the observed non-linear effect. Results are discussed in light of prior theorizing on the consequences of commuting.
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Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
The data were provided by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin). A detailed description of the GSOEP can be found in Wagner et al. (2007).
 
2
We tested the robustness of the chosen operationalization against several other possible categorizations, all of which led to similar results.
 
3
The CASMIN classification contains the following levels of education: inadequately completed (1a), general elementary education (1b), basic vocational qualification (1c), intermediate vocational qualification (2a), intermediate general qualification (2b), general maturity certificate (2c), vocational maturity certificate (2c) lower tertiary education (3a) and higher tertiary education (3b). For more information on CASMIN, see Brauns et al. (2003). For simplification, the CASMIN levels are grouped as follows: low educational attainment (CASMIN levels 1a–1c), medium educational attainment (CASMIN levels 2a–2c) and high educational attainment (CASMIN levels 3a–3b).
 
4
Past research suggests that the relationship between income and life satisfaction is best expressed by a logarithmic term (e.g., Wolbring et al. 2013). The household equivalence income allows to compare the financial well-being of a household independent of the households’ structure. It is measured by summing all household members’ income and then dividing by the square root of the household size.
 
5
In contrast to that, further analyses reveal no association between commuting distance on the one hand and feeling worried or angry on the other.
 
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Metadata
Title
Commuting and Life Satisfaction Revisited: Evidence on a Non-linear Relationship
Authors
Julia Ingenfeld
Tobias Wolbring
Herbert Bless
Publication date
18-12-2018
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Happiness Studies / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 1389-4978
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7780
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-018-0064-2

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