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Correlational findings

Study Headey (2008): study DE 1990

Public
16+ aged, general public, Germany, 1990-2004
Sample
Respondents
N = 3553
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face

Correlate

Authors's Label
Current priority for life-goals
Our Classification
Error Estimates
T2-T3 over-time correlation: Success goals: r = +.49, Family goals r = +.49, Altruistic goals: r = +.41
Remarks
T1: 1990, T2: 1995, T3: 2004 Assessed at T3. Average importance of ratings, transformed to dummy-variable by split at the mean
Operationalization
Selfreport on questions on perceived importance of goals:
a: being able to buy things
b: fulfilling your potential
c: success in job
d: having children
e: having a good marriage
f: being involved in social and political activities
g: helping other people

Rated: 1 'very umimportant' to 4 'very important

Grouped on the basis of factor analysis
A: zero-sum goals: succes (a+b+c)
B: non-zero-sum goals; family life (d+e)
C: non-zero-sum goals altruism (f+g)

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure Statistics Elaboration / Remarks O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d = T3 Happiness by T3 priority life-goals O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d r = +.11 Priority for family-goals O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d Beta = +.26 p < .001 O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d r = +.15 Priority for altruistic-goals O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d Beta = +.16 p < .001 O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d r = +.07 Priority for succes-goals O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-d Beta = -.09 p < .05

Beta's controlled for
-current priorities for the alternative goals
-gender
-age
-extraversion
-neuroticism
-internal locus of control
-having a partner
-years of education
-disposable household income
-health disability

Beta's very similar for men, women and respondents in prime age (25-59).