Findings on happiness in Lam et al. (1998): study HK 1995

Publication
Author(s)Lam, C.L.; Chan, M.S.; Gandek, B.; Ren, X.S.
TitleTests of Scaling Assumptions and Construct Validity of the Chinese (HK) Version of the SF - 36 Health Survey.
SourceJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 1998, Vol. 51, 1139 - 1147
DOIdoi:10.1016/S0895-4356(98)00105-X
Investigation
Public14+aged patients and students, Hong Kong 1996
Collect period12
 December 1995 to February 1996.
Survey nameNot available
SampleProbability stratified sample
 Two convenience samples of Chinese people aged more than 14 years were used. The first sample was drawn from one of every 3 patients attending a governement-funded family medicine clinic in Hong Kong. The second sample were university students randomly sampled from different faculties of the university of Hong Kong.
Respondents N =236
 185 clinic patients and 51 university students
Non Response0%
 Non-response not reported
AssesmentInterview: face-to-face
 In Cantonese language
Happiness measure(s) used
Full textSelfreport on single question: During the past 4 weeks….. Have you been a happy person? 6 all of the time 5 most of the time 4 a good bit 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)
ClassificationM-TH-cm-sq-v-6-a
Author's labelBeen a happy person
Page in publication1142
Finding used in
nation ranks		Yes
 On original range 1 - 6On range 0 - 10
Mean3.99
Standard deviation1.41

Correlational findings

Author's label Our subject description
Bodily painshow  Pain
General Healthshow  Self-perceived health
Health Transitionshow  Change in physical health
Mental Healthshow  Scores on symptom inventories
Physical Functioningshow  Restrictions to physical functioning
Role Emotional (Limitations due to emotional health problems)show  Actual work-performance
Role Emotional (Limitations due to emotional health problems)show  Current functional health, also classified as above ↑
Role physical (Limitations due to physical health problems)show  Actual work-performance
Role physical (Limitations due to physical health problems)show  Physical handicap, also classified as above ↑
Role physical (Limitations due to physical health problems)show  Restrictions to physical functioning, also classified as above ↑
Social Functioningshow  Restrictions to social functioning
Vitalityshow  Feeling energetic (vs lethargic, tired)