Chapter 2. Early Skills and Adult Life Satisfaction Outcome variables at ages 29, 34, 42, and 46 In various sweeps throughout their lives, individuals were asked questions about their life satisfaction. We use this life satisfaction measure as our main outcome variable. The question was asked how satisfied the respondents are with how their life has turned out so far on a scale from zero to ten, ranging from completely dissatisfied to completely satisfied. This is a common way to measure life satisfaction in this type of research (e.g., Fle`che et al., 2021; Frijters et al., 2014; Layard et al., 2014). Furthermore, we select five domains that the literature has identified as relevant to life satisfaction and assess individuals’ satisfaction in these domains: self-perceived general health, financial management, happiness in relationship, job satisfaction, and emotional satisfaction.2 First, self-perceived general health is measured by a 5-point Likert scale, assessing satisfaction with physical and mental health. Second, financial satisfaction is measured by asking individuals how well they manage financially, also on a 5-point Likert scale. Third, individuals were asked about their happiness regarding their relationship on a 7-point scale. Fourth, job satisfaction is assessed by asking how satisfied individuals are with their current job, measured on a 5-point Likert scale. And fifth, emotional satisfaction is measured by the ab2We base these five life domains on Felce and Perry’s (1995) model of quality of life, which includes: 1) Physical well-being, 2) Material well-being, 3) Social wellbeing, 4) Development and activity, and 5) Emotional well-being. In selecting our variables, we made a deliberate effort to address all five domains. These variables have been identified as predictors of life satisfaction in existing literature (e.g., Brief et al., 1993; Clark et al., 2017; Diener et al., 2000; Haller & Hadler, 2006; Hart, 1999; Margolis & Myrskyla¨, 2013; Mroczek & Spiro III, 2005; Palmore & Luikart, 1972; Seghieri et al., 2006; Tait et al., 1989). 20
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