SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2

Determinants of Life Satisfaction and Happiness Levels of Older Individuals in Türkiye Using Binary and Ordered Choice Models

İkili ve Sıralı Tercih Modelleriyle Türkiye’de Yaşlı Bireylerin Yaşam Memnuniyeti ve Mutluluk Düzeylerinin Belirleyenleri

Muhammet Kutlu(BANDIRMA ONYEDİ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-1739-5366
Pages
1225–1263
Publication Date
2026-08-30
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that results from alternative models of life satisfaction and happiness are largely consistent.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to examine the factors influencing life satisfaction and happiness among individuals aged 65 and over in Türkiye, two main indicators of subjective well-being.
📊
Key Findings & Data:For this purpose, using the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) 2023 Türkiye Older Persons Profile Survey micro dataset, binary logit and binary probit models were estimated to explain the life satisfaction variable, and ordered, stereotype, and generalized ordered logit models were estimated to explain the happiness level variable.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that results from alternative models of life satisfaction and happiness are largely consistent.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:yaşam memnuniyeti · mutluluk · sıralı tercih modelleri

Abstract

This study aims to examine the factors influencing life satisfaction and happiness among individuals aged 65 and over in Türkiye, two main indicators of subjective well-being. For this purpose, using the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) 2023 Türkiye Older Persons Profile Survey micro dataset, binary logit and binary probit models were estimated to explain the life satisfaction variable, and ordered, stereotype, and generalized ordered logit models were estimated to explain the happiness level variable. The findings indicate that results from alternative models of life satisfaction and happiness are largely consistent. Age, exposure to violence, and financial deprivation had negative effects on life satisfaction; while the number of people who could provide support and the ability to go out independently had positive effects. An increase in the number of people available for support, having a postgraduate education, and the ability to go out independently were found to increase the likelihood of reporting higher levels of happiness among individuals aged 65 and over. In contrast, exposure to violence, financial deprivation, and being a tenant were found to reduce the likelihood of reporting higher levels of happiness.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, öznel iyi oluşun iki ana göstergesi olan yaşam memnuniyeti ve mutluluk düzeyi üzerine etkili olan faktörlerin Türkiye’de 65 yaş ve üzeri bireyler için sınanmasıdır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda 2023 yılı TÜİK Türkiye Yaşlı Profili Araştırması mikro veri seti kullanılarak yaşam memnuniyeti değişkeninin açıklanmasında ikili logit ve probit model, mutluluk düzeyinin açıklanmasında ise sıralı, stereotip ve genelleştirilmiş logit modeller tahmin edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, yaşam memnuniyeti ve mutluluk düzeyine ilişkin alternatif modellerden elde edilen sonuçların büyük ölçüde birbirini destekler nitelikte olduğunu göstermektedir. Yaş, şiddete maruz kalma, parasal yoksunluğun yaşam memnuniyeti üzerine negatif etkileri; destek alınabilir kişi sayısı ve yardım almaksızın dışarı çıkabilme durumlarının ise pozitif etkileri tespit edilmiştir. Destek alınabilir kişi sayısındaki artış, lisansüstü eğitim düzeyine sahip olma ve yardım almaksızın dışarı çıkabilme durumunun 65 yaş ve üzeri bireylerin daha yüksek mutluluk düzeyi bildirme olasılığını artırdığı belirlenmiştir. Şiddete maruz kalma, parasal yoksunluk ve oturulan konutta kiracı olma durumlarının daha yüksek mutluluk düzeyi bildirmiş olma olasılığını azalttığı tespit edilmiştir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Kutlu, M. (2026). Determinants of Life Satisfaction and Happiness Levels of Older Individuals in Türkiye Using Binary and Ordered Choice Models. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 14 Sayı: 2, 1225–1263. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.1980098

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (56)

  1. Abdel-Khalek, A. M. (2006). Measuring happiness with a single-item scale. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 34(2), 139–150. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2006.34.2.139
  2. Agresti, A. (2010). Analysis of ordinal categorical data (2nd ed.). Wiley.
  3. Agresti, A. (2019). An introduction to categorical data analysis (3rd ed.). Wiley.
  4. Ahn, J., Mukherjee, B., Banerjee, M., & Cooney, K. A. (2009). Bayesian inference for the stereotype regression model: Application to a case-control study of prostate cancer. Statistics in medicine, 28(25), 3139–3157. https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.3693
  5. Al Nima, A., Garcia, D., Sikström, S., & Cloninger, K. M. (2024). The ABC of happiness: Validation of the tridimensional model of subjective well-being (affect, cognition, and behavior) using bifactor polytomous multidimensional item response theory. Heliyon, 10(2), e24386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24386
  6. Amirzai, F. R., & Sönmez, A. (2022). Socio-Economic Determinants of Happiness: The Case of Afghanistan. Sosyoekonomi, 30(52), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.17233/sosyoekonomi.2022.02.10
  7. Anderson, J. A. (1984). Regression and Ordered Categorical Variables. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series B (Methodological), 46(1), 1–30. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2345457 Blanchflower, D. G. (2021). Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries. Journal of Population Economics, 34(2), 575–624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-020-00797-z
  8. Botha, F., & Booysen, F. (2013). The relationship between marital status and life satisfaction among South African adults. Acta Academica, 45(2), 150-178.
  9. Caner, A. (2016). Happiness and Life Satisfaction in Turkey in Recent Years. Social Indicators Research, 127(1), 361–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-015-0948-z
  10. Celik, S. S., Celik, Y., Hikmet, N., & Khan, M. M. (2018). Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction of Older Adults in Turkey. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 87(4), 392–414. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091415017740677
  11. Cheung, F., & Lucas, R. E. (2014). Assessing the validity of single-item life satisfaction measures: Results from three large samples. Quality of Life Research, 23(10), 2809–2818. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0726-4
  12. Cheung, F., & Lucas, R. E. (2015). When does money matter most? Examining the association between income and life satisfaction over the life course. Psychology and aging, 30(1), 120–135. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038682
  13. Çomaklı-Duvar, N., Kabakuş, A. K., İyit, N., & Alkan, Ö. (2025). A study on the determination of the factors affecting the happiness levels of older individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkish society. PLOS ONE, 20(1), Article e0316000. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316000
  14. Cooper, K., Fabian, M. & Krekel, C. (2023), New approaches to measuring welfare. Fiscal Studies, 44, 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-5890.12333
  15. Deeming, C. (2013). Addressing the Social Determinants of Subjective Wellbeing: The Latest Challenge for Social Policy. Journal of social policy, 42(3), 541–565. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279413000202
  16. Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Tay, L. (2018). Advances in subjective well-being research. Nature Human Behaviour, 2, 253–260. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0307-6
  17. Dolan, P., Peasgood, T., & White, M. (2008). Do we really know what makes us happy? A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29(1), 94–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2007.09.001
  18. Dumludağ, D. (2013). Life Satisfaction and Income Comparison Effects in Turkey. Social Indicators Research, 114(3), 1199–1210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-012-0197-3
  19. Ergin, I., & Mandiracioglu, A. (2015). Demographic and socioeconomic inequalities for self-rated health and happiness in elderly: the situation for Turkey regarding World Values Survey between 1990 and 2013. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 61(2), 224–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2015.06.011
  20. FitzRoy, F. R., & Nolan, M. A. (2022). Income Status and Life Satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(1), 233–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00397-y
  21. FitzRoy, F. R., Nolan, M., & Steinhardt, M. F. (2011). Age, life-satisfaction, and relative income: Insights from the UK and Germany (IZA Discussion Paper No. 6045). Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). https://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:101:1-201111023735
  22. Friehe, T., & Pfeifer, C. (2025). Unemployment’s Life-Satisfaction Cost and Loneliness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 26(6), 102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-00941-0
  23. Frijters, P., & Beatton, T. (2012). The mystery of the U-shaped relationship between happiness and age. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Emergence in Economics, 82(2), 525–542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2012.03.008
  24. Greene, W. H. (2018). Econometric analysis. Pearson.
  25. Greene, W. H., & Hensher, D. A. (2010). Modeling ordered choices: A primer. Cambridge University Press.
  26. Grün, C., Hauser, W., & Rhein, T. (2010). Is Any Job Better than No Job? Life Satisfaction and Re-employment. Journal of Labor Research, 31(3), 285–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12122-010-9093-2
  27. Hayo, B. (2007). Happiness in transition: An empirical study on Eastern Europe. Economic Systems, 31(2), 204–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecosys.2006.08.003
  28. Hsieh, C-M. (2011). Money and happiness: does age make a difference? Ageing and Society, 31(8): 1289-1306. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X10001431
  29. Hsu, H.-C., Chang, W.-C., Chong, Y.-S., & An, J. S. (2016). Happiness and social determinants across age cohorts in Taiwan. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(9), 1828–1839. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105314567208
  30. Jansen, A., Wang, R., Behrens, P., & Hoekstra, R. (2024). Beyond GDP: A review and conceptual framework for measuring sustainable and inclusive wellbeing. The Lancet Planetary Health, 8(9), e695–e705. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00147-5
  31. Joshanloo, M., & Jovanović, V. (2021). Similarities and differences in predictors of life satisfaction across age groups: A 150-country study. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(3), 401–411. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105318819054
  32. Kamilçelebi, H., & Burger, M. J. (2025). Fairness perceptions mediate the relationship between income comparisons and subjective well-being: Evidence from Türkiye. Applied Economics Letters, 32(16), 2344–2348. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2024.2332584
  33. Kiren Gürler, Ö. (2021). Sıralı Regresyon Modelleri ve Stata Uygulamları. In Ş. Üçdoğruk Birecikli & S. Şengül (Eds.), Uygulamalı Mikro Ekonometri. Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.
  34. Lakshmanasamy, Y. (2022). Determinants of Happiness in India: Ordered Probit Estimation of Life Satisfaction. Indian Journal of Mental Health, 9(1), 63-70.
  35. Long, J. S., & Freese, J. (2014). Regression models for categorical dependent variables using Stata. Stata Press.
  36. Mantsi, L., Lesaoana, R., & Motlamelle, T. (2025). Does being male or female affect life satisfaction? Empirical evidence from Lesotho. Development Southern Africa, 42(3), 477–495. https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2025.2485936
  37. Odermatt, R., & Stutzer, A. (2017). Subjective well-being and public policy (IZA Discussion Paper No. 11102). IZA Institute of Labor Economics.
  38. Papi, S., & Cheraghi, M. (2021). Multiple factors associated with life satisfaction in older adults. Przeglad menopauzalny, 20(2), 65–71. https://doi.org/10.5114/pm.2021.107025
  39. Peiro, A. (2006). Happiness, satisfaction and socio-economic conditions: Some international evidence. The Journal of Socio-Economics, The Socio-Economics of Happiness, 35(2), 348–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2005.11.042
  40. Raudenská, P. (2023). Single-item measures of happiness and life satisfaction: The issue of cross-country invariance of popular general well-being measures. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, Article 861. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02299-1
  41. Richter, E. P., Brähler, E., Stöbel-Richter, Y., Zenger, M., & Berth, H. (2020). The long-lasting impact of unemployment on life satisfaction: results of a longitudinal study over 20 years in East Germany. Health and quality of life outcomes, 18(1), 361. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-020-01608-5
  42. Selim, S. (2008). Life Satisfaction and Happiness in Turkey. Social Indicators Research, 88(3), 531–562. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-007-9218-z
  43. Şengül, S., Karakuzu, B., (2022). The Source of Individual Happiness And Life Satisfaction: Evidence From Turkey, The Third Sector Social Economic Review, 57(2), 1008-1026.
  44. Siedlecki, K. L., Tucker-Drob, E. M., Oishi, S., & Salthouse, T. A. (2008). Life satisfaction across adulthood: different determinants at different ages? The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3(3), 153–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760701834602
  45. Sulandari, S., Johnson, J., & Coats, R. O. (2025). Life satisfaction and its associated factors among young and older adults in the United Kingdom (UK). Aging & Mental Health, 29(4), 687–695. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2024.2432380
  46. Tesch-Römer, C., Motel-Klingebiel, A., & Tomasik, M. J. (2008). Gender Differences in Subjective Well-Being: Comparing Societies with Respect to Gender Equality. Social Indicators Research, 85(2), 329–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-007-9133-3
  47. Tsui, H.-C. (2014). What affects happiness: Absolute income, relative income or expected income? Journal of Policy Modeling, 36(6), 994–1007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2014.09.005
  48. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu. (2025). Hayat tabloları, 2022-2024. https://veriportali.tuik.gov.tr/tr/press/54081
  49. Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu. (2026). İstatistiklerle Yaşlılar, https://veriportali.tuik.gov.tr/tr/press/58231
  50. Uğur, Z. B. (2021). Does money buy happiness in Turkey? Applied Research in Quality of Life, 16(3), 1073–1096. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-019-09805-1
  51. Ulutürk Akman, S. (2021). Determinants of Happiness and Life Satisfaction: The Life Satisfaction Survey of the Turkish Statistical Institute. Journal of Social Policy Conferences, 81, 35-69. https://izlik.org/JA43UX75WP
  52. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. (2024). Key messages on world population prospects 2024. https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/
  53. Williams, R. (2006). Generalized Ordered Logit/Partial Proportional Odds Models for Ordinal Dependent Variables. The Stata Journal, 6(1), 58–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1536867X0600600104
  54. Williams, R. (2016). Understanding and interpreting generalized ordered logit models. The Journal of Mathematical Sociology, 40(1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/0022250X.2015.1112384
  55. Wooldridge, J. M. (2020). Introductory econometrics: A modern approach. Cengage. Yıldız, D., Arslan, H., & Cavlin, A. (2021). Understanding women’s well-being in Turkey. Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, 19, 1-37.
  56. Zhang, Z., Xiao, L., Lin, Y., & Sun, T. (2026). Life satisfaction of older adults and its influencing factors: An exploratory study of community-dwelling older adults in Xiamen, China. Frontiers in Public Health, 14, Article 1699050. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1699050