Perceived change in happiness and depressive symptoms
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Date
2021
Authors
Yusuf, Imraan
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Abstract
Depression / depressive symptoms have been widely studied; however, the
literature has not sufficiently addressed the effect of contrast on depressive
symptoms. This is particularly important in the South African context, given
the high levels of depressive symptoms, when compared to other countries.
This study aims to understand and quantify the effect of contrast on depressive
symptoms by making use of ordinary least squared, System-GMM, and
heterogeneity based instrumental variable regression. The latter two methods
are used in order to remove differing forms of endogeneity bias. The analysis
suggests that those who consider they are more happy than they were ten years
ago have lower depressive symptoms than those who do not consider their level
of happiness has changed. This is consistent for those individuals who have
correct recall and those that have incorrect recall of contrast. Interestingly, the
analysis finds that those who consider they are less happy have higher
depressive symptoms, however, only when recall is correct. These findings
highlight the importance of memory and perceptions, on depressive symptoms.
They provide evidence in support of new (and old) types of memory training
techniques which could be used to combat depression.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Economics/Economic Science) to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economics and Finance, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021