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Studies

Perneger et al. (2004): study CH 1998

Publication

Author(s):
Perneger, T.V.; Bovier, P.A.; Hudelson, P.M.
Title:
Health and Happiness in Young Swiss Adults.
Source:
Quality of Life Research, 2004, Vol. 13, 171 - 178

Investigation

Public
University students, Switzerland, 1998.
Survey name
Unnamed study
Sample
Probability simple random sample
Respondents
N = 1257
Non Response
36%
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Mailed questionnaire

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

During the past 4 weeks.. Have you been a happy person?
5  all of the time
4  most of the time
3  some of the time
2  a little of the time
1  none of the time

Item MH5 in SF-36 (Medical Outcome Study 36 item Short Form) version 2 (5-step rating scale)
Classification:
M-TH-cm-sq-v-5-a
Author's label:
Self-perceived happiness
Remarks:
Analysis based on dichotomy 'happy' (score 5 or 4) vs. 'not happy' (score 3, 2, or 1)
63% happy
27% unhappy
Page in publication:
172-173
Observed distribution
Frequencies
1: 1.3%,   2: 9.9%,   3: 25.6%,   4: 51.9%,   5: 10.7%   (total 99.4%)
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 5 On range 0-10
Mean:
3.61 6.53
SD:
0.85 2.14

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Mental health Current general mental health Physical health Current general health status Sex Sexe: male (vs female) Age (years) Current age (in years) Nationality Ever migrated or not
Ethnic status in Switzerland
Live-in partner Living alone or not Practices sports once per week or more often Active involvement in sports Smokes cigarettes Use of tobacco Unwanted sexual experience Earlier sex-life Money problems Sufficiency of current income Housing problems Concern about housing Social support Amount of current support received I get love and affection Perceived sufficiency of intimate contacts Stress Amount of problems perceived Self esteem Satisfaction with self Consulted psychiatrist or psychologist in past year Being in treatment for mental disorder (vs not) Consulted other doctor in past year Visits to doctor