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Studies

Holahan et al. (1999): study US 1960

Publication

Author(s):
Holahan, C.K.; Holahan, C.J.; Wonacott, N.L.
Title:
Self Appraisal, Life Satisfaction and Retrospective Life Choices Across One and Three Decades.
Source:
Psychology and Aging, 1999, Vol. 14, 238 - 244

Investigation

Public
Gifted (IQ>135) followed unto old age, USA, 1960-1992
Sample
Non-probability purposive-quota sample
Respondents
N = 383
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Repeated, with questionnaires

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on 2 questions:         

A
"How important was each of the following goals in life in the plans you  made for yourself in early adulthood?"
-  
-  
-  joy in living  


4 of prime importance to me
3
2
1 less important to me than to most people

B.
"How successful have you been in the  pursuit of these goals?"
5  had excellent fortune in this respect
4
3
2
1  little satisfaction in this area

Computation: Life satisfaction score =  Perceived success in achieving joy in living now (B) minus remembered importance of joy in living in early adulthood (A)
Classification:
M-AC-h-mq-v-8-a
Author's label:
Life-satisfaction discrepancy
Page in publication:
239
Full text:
Self report on single question: following enumeration of lifegoals in six areas, the last of which was 'joy in living'

" How successful have you been in pursuit of that goal.....?"
(joy in living)
5  had excellent fortune in this respect
4
3
2
1  found little satisfaction in this area
Classification:
M-PL-h-sq-v-5-b
Author's label:
Life satisfaction
Page in publication:
239
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 5 On range 0-10
Mean:
4.03 -
SD:
0.92 -
Full text:
Self report on single question:

'All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life these days?'
1  completely dissatisfied
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9  completely satisfied
Classification:
O-SLW-c-sq-n-9-a
Author's label:
Overall life satisfaction
Page in publication:
241

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Lived up to ability Attitudes to own intelligence
Earlier life-appraisals
Realization of educational goals
Earlier self-image
Current satisfaction with things wanted earlier Realization of earlier goals
O-SL by C-RG