Subjective well-being among preadolescents and their parents – Evidence of intergenerational transmission of well-being from urban China

•Parents’ and their children's levels of subjective well-being are significantly correlated.•Factors affecting subjective well-being of parents and their preadolescents are not the same.•Relations with parents and friends are important for the well-being of preadolescents.•High income, educational attainment or good health, increase the likelihood that the parent is happier than the child.

This paper examines whether intergenerational transmission of happiness exists in China between preadolescents and their parents, and what factors are correlated with subjective well-being among them. We find that parents’ and their children's levels of subjective well-being are indeed significantly correlated, yet the factors that affect their well-being differ. Higher income, being a female, higher education, good health, and not being divorced result in higher well-being among the parents. Preadolescents’ well-being is instead determined by different kinds of interactions with peers and parents, where being bullied or not is one of the most important factors.