This paper is the first of its kind to study utility interdependence in marriage using information on subjective well … instrument for spouse’s well-being and allowing controls on individual fixed effects, we find strong evidence of altruism …

that, with uncertain future income, altruism per se can induce time consistent, however, not necessarily ex ante efficient …

that, with uncertain future income, altruism per se can induce time consistent, however, not necessarily ex ante efficient …

This paper asks whether the gap in subjective happiness between spouses matters per se, i.e. whether it predicts … find that a higher satisfaction gap, even in the first year of marriage, increases the likelihood of a future separation …. The relation between happiness gaps and divorce may be due to the fact that couples which are unable to transfer utility …

This paper asks whether the gap in subjective happiness between spouses matters per se, i.e. whether it predicts … find that a higher satisfaction gap, even in the first year of marriage, increases the likelihood of a future separation … household. The relation between happiness gaps and divorce may be due to the fact that couples which are unable to transfer …

Based on three large panel surveys, this paper shows that happiness gaps between spouses are a good predictor of future … divorce. The effect of happiness gaps is asymmetric: couples are more likely to break-up when the woman is the less happy … asymmetry suggests that the effect of happiness gaps is grounded on motives of relative deprivation (i.e. comparisons of …

This paper asks whether the gap in subjective happiness between spouses matters per se, i.e. whether it predicts … find that a higher satisfaction gap, even in the first year of marriage, increases the likelihood of a future separation …. The relation between happiness gaps and divorce may be due to the fact that couples which are unable to transfer utility …

explained either by altruism or by an exchange motive. Though unequal sharing is expected under both hypotheses, under altruism …