Good looks and better outlooks: does satisfaction with physical appearance associate with future expectations?

Abstract

PurposeThe present paper examines how satisfaction with one's physical appearance associates with hopeful feelings, as well as optimism.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the Canadian General Social Survey of 2016 and multivariate regression analysis.FindingsAt constant levels of current socioeconomic attainment, perceived intergenerational social mobility and self-confidence, satisfaction with one's physical appearance is found to associate with a greater hopefulness and more optimistic expectations about the future.Originality/valueThe present paper is the first economic study of how physical appearance associates with hope and optimism.