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Studies

Diener et al. (2012a): study ZZ World samples 2005

Publication

Author(s):
Diener, E.; Oishi, S.; Tay, L.
Title:
Rising Income and the Subjective Well-Being of Nations.
Source:
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2012, Vol. 104, 267 - 276

Investigation

Public
15+ aged general public, 135 nation followed at least 3 years, 2005-2011
Survey name
INT-Gallup World Poll combined waves
Sample
Probability multi-stage cluster sample
Respondents
N = 806526
Non Response
Assessment
Multiple assesment methods
telephone interviews in developed nations, face-toface in most developing nations

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

Here is ladder representing the 'ladder of life'. Let's suppose the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you; and the bottom, the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?
10 best possible
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 worst possible life

This question was followed (not preceded) by items on life 5 years ago and 5 years from now.
Classification:
C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c
Page in publication:
269
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10
Mean:
5.44 5.44
SD:
1.09 1.09
Full text:
Self report on 6 questions

A  Did you smile and laugh a lot yesterday?

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday?
B  How about enjoyment?
C  How about worry?
D  How about sadness?
E  How about depression?
F  How about anger?

Rated:
1  yes
0  no
-  no answer, don't know

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A-B)/2
- Average % negative affect = (C-F)/4
- Affect Balance = Average % positive affect - Average % negative affect


These questions do not measure hedonic level of affect of individual persons adequately, since yesterday's mood does not always correspond with typical average mood. Yet these questions can be used for measuring hedonic level in aggregates, such as nations, since individual variations balance out in big samples.
Classification:
A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-t
Author's label:
Positive/negative feelings
Remarks:
ABS computed by WDH tean from reported means of PA: 0,71; NA: 0,23
Page in publication:
269-270
Error estimates:
Cronbach alpha: country level .67, individual level .80
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range -100 - 100 On range 0-10
Mean:
48.00 -
SD:
- -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding GDP/capita Purchasing power (`real' GDP pc)
Change GDP in nation: economic growth/decline
Average household income in nation Change GDP in nation: economic growth/decline
Personal income in nation
Individual household income Household income Relative household income Relative to income of compatriots