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Studies

Mussen et al. (1980): study US 1928 /1

Publication

Author(s):
Mussen, P.H.; Bieber, S.L.; Eichorn, D.H.; Honzik, M.P.; Meredith, W.M.
Title:
Continuity and Change in Women's Characteristics over Four Decades.
Source:
International Journal of Behavioral Development, 1980, Vol. 3, 333 - 347

Investigation

Public
Mothers of preschool-aged-children, Berkeley USA, 1928-68
Sample
Respondents
N = 28
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Interviews at age 30 and age 70

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report in focused interview

Rating two independent interviewers.
A. Psychiatric social worker who interviewed parents at home. Interview focused on child
B. Clinical psychologist who interviewed parents separately. Interview focused on family  life.

Rating options:
7 extremely cheerful, animated, jolly
6
5
4  usually good-humored air
3
2
1  dejected, melancholic appearance, in the dumps

Summation: average ratings A and B
Classification:
A-CP-g-fi-v-7-a
Author's label:
Cheerfulness
Remarks:
T1: (Age 30)  Ms = 2.7      Ms' = 7.3       SD = 1.1
T2: (Age 70)  Ms = 2.7      Ms' = 7.3       SD = 1.2
Error estimates:
Reliability: Retest after 40 years: r = +.27 (p < .10). Validity:
Full text:
Self report in focused interview

Two independent interviews. Each interviewer rated `satisfaction with lot' on the same scale.
1  tremendously satisfied
2
3
4  average
5
6
7  extremely dissatisfied
Classification:
O-SLC-g-fi-v-7-b
Author's label:
Satisfaction with lot
Remarks:
T1: (Age 30)  Ms = 3.0      Ms' = 7.0     SD = 1.2
T2: (Age 70)  Ms = 2.6      Ms' = 7.4     SD = 1.3

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Happiness at age 30 Long term happiness (< 10 years ago)