Well-Being Over the Work Life

Much research has been devoted to uncovering evidence regarding the relationship between age and well-being. A substantial majority of this evidence indicates that well-being follows a U-shape pattern over working life, concomitant with a midlife low. This evidence comes from the raw data, as well as both cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations. This evidence is explored and discussed along with an appraisal of literature disagreeing with the dominant finding. Additionally, this chapter discusses the currently much less populous literature that attempts to find reasons for this midlife low and puts forward suggestions for future research.