Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the well-being of individuals who had a newborn child during the previous year and to compare their well-being with that of individuals who had children previously and with childless individuals. The sample consisted of 2008 respondents (81% women) who participated in an online survey. Respondents rated their life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, and flourishing in two time points spanning one year. 102 respondents experienced childbirth between the two time points, 673 had children before, and 1233 did not have children. The results show that life satisfaction increased between two time points in the subsample of individuals who had a child during the previous year; they also had higher life satisfaction compared to other parents and non-parents. There was no difference between the groups in affective well-being and flourishing. However, parents who had a newborn child showed a decrease in flourishing.
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