Are we happier among our own race?

Citation

Okulicz-Kozaryn, Adam (2014). Are we happier among our own race?. 2014 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.

Abstract

I study the effect of ethnic density on wellbeing. Ethnic density is measured as a proportion of given race in an area. Wellbeing is measured with survey question about life satisfaction or depression scale (depending on wave). There are conflicting theories about the effect of ethnic density on wellbeing. Ethnic density may improve wellbeing of persons or small areas: people prefer to live among their own race and tend to provide social support within their own race. On the other hand, ethnic density may decrease wellbeing of large areas because it increases feelings of exclusion and isolation, leads to concentrated poverty, crime, and reduces overall (metropolitan-level) social cohesion. Furthermore, ethnic density may improve wellbeing of the rich enclaves (Whites) and depress wellbeing of poor enclaves (minorities). I have produced some research using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and found that people are happier to live among their own race. But I would like to replicate this finding using Add Health data. I will use a longitudinal design and possibly a multilevel model.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/events/20140613_Add_Health_Users_Conference_Abstracts.pdf

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2014 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Okulicz-Kozaryn, Adam

Year Published

2014

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6265