Showing papers in "Social Indicators Research in 1993"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined whether the relationship between income and subjective well-being is relative (Easterlin, 1974) or absolute (Veenhoven, 1988, 1991).
Abstract: Although it appears that income and subjective well-being correlate in within-country studies (Diener, 1984), a debate has focused on whether this relationship is relative (Easterlin, 1974) or absolute (Veenhoven, 1988, 1991). The absolute argument advanced by Veenhoven states that income helps individuals meet certain universal needs and therefore that income, at least at lower levels, is a cause of subjective well-being. The relativity argument is based on the idea that the impact of income or other resources depends on changeable standards such as those derived from expectancies, habituation levels, and social comparisons. Two studies which empirically examine these positions are presented: one based on 18 032 college studies in 39 countries, and one based on 10 year longitudinal data in a probability sample of 4 942 American adults. Modest but significant correlations were found in the U.S. between income and well-being, but the cross-country correlations were larger. No evidence for the influence of relative standards on income was found: (1) Incomechange did not produce effects beyond the effect of income level per se, (2) African-Americans and the poorly educated did not derive greater happiness from specific levels of income, (3) Income produced the same levels of happiness in poorer and richer areas of the U.S., and (4) Affluence correlated with subjective well-being both across countries and within the U.S. Income appeared to produce lesser increases in subjective well-being at higher income levels in the U.S., but this pattern was not evident across countries. Conceptual and empirical questions about the universal needs position are noted. Suggestions for further explorations of the relativistic position are offered.
1,060 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared several measurement strategies (e.g., single-item measures, multiple-item scales, and memory search tasks) with regard to their susceptibility to such influences and found evidence for a significant degree of stability in subjective well-being and life satisfaction.
Abstract: Researchers attempting to understand the experience of subjective well-being have relied heavily on self-report measurement. Recent research focused on this method has demonstrated that a number of factors, such as the current mood of the respondent and the cognitive and social context surrounding the response, can significantly influence response to items inquiring about global subjective well-being or satisfaction with life. In the present study, several measurement strategies (e.g., single-item measures, multiple-item scales, and memory search tasks) were compared with regard to their susceptibility to such influences. Although some evidence for effects due to item-placement or transient mood were found, all of the global measures of subjective well-being and life satisfaction has significant convergence with peer-reports, and the single-item measures showed good temporal reliability across a one-month interval. The data provide evidence for a significant degree of stability in subjective well-being and life satisfaction.
451 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the distinction between psychological well-being and psychological distress as distinct, if not orthogonal dimensions of mental health and consider that a person is unlikely to be both satisfied with life and depressed but may be satisfied and anxious.
Abstract: Psychological well-being and psychological distress are often regarded as distinct, if not orthogonal dimensions of mental health. Based on analyses in this paper, we consider the distinction misleading. Four dimensions seem worth measuring in general population surveys: life satisfaction, positive affect, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, one of the well-being dimensions, life satisfaction, is quite strongly correlated with a distress dimension, depression. A person is unlikely to be both satisfied with life and depressed, but may be satisfied and anxious. The paper is based on convergent validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses) and divergent validity assessments of a range of widely used measures, which were included in the Victorian Quality of Life Panel Survey, 1987.
409 citations
TL;DR: Huebner et al. as discussed by the authors found significant negative correlations with measures of depression and loneliness and a significant positive correlation with a measure of self-esteem, showing that the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) failed to differentiate a normally achieving group of students from a group of at risk students.
Abstract: Two studies are reported that provide additional validity evidence for the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS: Huebner, 1991a). In the first study, evidence for the convergent validity of the SLSS is provided by significant negative correlations with measures of depression and loneliness and a significant positive correlation with a measure of self-esteem. Additionally, as evidence of discriminant validity, the SLSS failed to differentiate a normally achieving group of students from a group of at risk students. In the second study, the pattern of correlations between the SLSS, selected demographic variables, IQ scores, and a measure of teacher-reported school behavior problems provided evidence of cross-method convergent and discriminant validity. The SLSS was also able to differentiate a group of emotionally handicapped students from non-emotionally handicapped students. The implications of the findings for further study of the subjective well-being of children are discussed briefly.
216 citations
TL;DR: The subjective well-being of 116 Russian students at two locations in the former Soviet Union was assessed with traditional self-report measures and with an event memory task as discussed by the authors, and both measures showed the Soviet students to be low in well being compared to students in most of 38 other countries.
Abstract: The subjective well-being of 116 Soviet students at two locations in the Soviet Union was assessed with traditional self-report measures and with an event memory task. Both measures showed the Soviet students to be low in well-being compared to students in most of 38 other countries. Soviet well-being was especially low when considered in relation to per capita GNP. The single domain which best predicted global well-being in the Soviet Union was leisure satisfaction. Soviet students were most satisfied with their religion, living partner, friendship, and family relations, and least satisfied with transportation, education, and finances. The structure of well-being was very similar in the C.I.S. (U.S.S.R.) as in the U.S. For example, the Satisfaction with Life Scale formed a unitary factor, as it does in the U.S., and the PANAS formed two clear affect factors, as has been uncovered by Watson, Clark, and Tellegen (1984) in the U.S. and Japan. Overall, the measures divided into life satisfaction, peasant affect, and negative affect components, replicating data in the U.S. (Andrews and Withey, 1976). These results suggest the structural invariance of well-being across cultures. The paper discusses several potential reasons that Russian students report low levels of well being.
164 citations
TL;DR: In this article, time diaries were used as a quality check for results obtained by direct interviews and questionnaires, and it was shown that activities clearly distinctive from other activities, such as gainful employment outside the home, produced the most accurate data in direct survey questions.
Abstract: Data collected by survey methodology are sensitive to measurement errors. Factors of memory, understanding, and willingness to respond truthfully, distort the quality of results. In this paper, time diaries were used as a quality check for results obtained by direct interviews and questionnaires. Data is based on surveys carried out by Statistics Finland. Comparison showed that measurement error varied considerably between population groups, influencing dependencies and interpretations of the results. Activities clearly distinctive from other activities, such as gainful employment outside the home, produced the most accurate data in direct survey questions. Everyday activities that don't clearly stand out from other uses of time, such as home based employment, are difficult to recall and produce a lot of biasing measurement errors.
140 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a methodology about personal project was used to understand perceived life satisfaction, and variables derived from the Personal Project Matrix were shown to explain variability in reported life satisfaction in two separate studies (university and professional samples).
Abstract: A methodology about personal project was used to understand perceived life satisfaction. Variables derived from the Personal Project Matrix were shown to explain variability in reported life satisfaction in two separate studies (university and professional samples). The results indicated that personal projects of students had been organized in systems and these systems' properties had meaningful effects on life satisfaction. A cross-validation analysis revealed that professionals' projects did not show the same systemic feature which students' projects had. But some variables such as projects performed in general places, stress, and amount of reported obstacles discriminated life satisfaction scores meaningfully.
139 citations
TL;DR: The study concludes that alternative collection methods appear to make little difference in the resulting activity and time use estimates at customary levels of reporting.
Abstract: Growing and widespread interest in time begs the need for time use data collection and reporting standards. Initial guidance for comparative work was provided by the Multinational Time Use Project. However, changing technologies, methodologies, and divergent data needs have given rise to the need for updated guidance. This paper, prepared with input from members of the International Association for Time Use Research, examines the history and applications of time use data, identifies and evaluates methodological options for time use studies, recommends options facilitating cross-national and cross-temporal comparability and identifies methodological challenges facing time use researchers. The study concludes that alternative collection methods appear to make little difference in the resulting activity and time use estimates at customary levels of reporting.
108 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide a conceptual framework for viewing social well-being as composed of two elements: social adjustment and social support. But, they are merely starting points for future measurement of these concepts.
Abstract: This paper provides a conceptual framework for viewing social well-being as composed of two elements: social adjustment and social support. Social adjustment is a combination of satisfaction with relationships, performance in social roles and adjustment to one's environment. Social support is composed of the number of contacts in one's social network and satisfaction with those contacts. Through the pioneering work of McDowell and Newell, comparative ratings of measures of social adjustment and social support are available. It appears that Weissman's Social Adjustment Scale and Sarason's Social Support Scale are currently the best measures in terms of validity and reliability. But, they are merely starting points for future measurement of these concepts.
106 citations
TL;DR: The authors compared theories of well-being/welfare in economics and psychology, and suggested that economists have an appropriate conceptual framework but the wrong variables for explaining wellbeing, whereas psychologists have a confusing framework but appropriate variables.
Abstract: This paper compares theories of well-being/welfare in economics and psychology. It suggests that economists have an appropriate conceptual framework but the wrong variables for explaining well-being, whereas psychologists have a confusing framework but appropriate variables. A framework derived from “the new home economics” (Becker, 1965, 1973, 1977; Lancaster, 1966; Justeret al., 1985; Pollak and Wachter, 1975), and especially from the work of F. Thomas Juster and his colleagues, is proposed for the purpose of integrating economic and psychological variables into an account of human well-being. Essentially the framework calls for investigation of the impact of a household's economic and psychological stocks (capital account) on the psychic income flows (current account) and overall well-being of its members. It is suggested that this framework is valuable for clarifying individual and household decisions as well as for explaining variance in well-being. Empirical assessment of existing frameworks and an illustration of how the proposed framework could be implemented are made with data drawn from a 5-wave Australian Quality of Life Panel Survey.
74 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss a number of theoretical and methodological aspects of qualitative research, including the interview as a research method and the classification, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data.
Abstract: Due to the prevailing positivistic view on science, qualitative research has only a modest place within the social sciences. There is, however, a growing awareness that a purely quantitative approach is not always satisfactory. This is for instance the case in the field of research into the quality of life. This article discusses a number of theoretical and methodological aspects of qualitative research. The following issues are dealt with: the (in-depth) interview as a research method, and the classification, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data. Subsequently views on the reliability and validity of qualitative research are discussed. After discriptions of a number of fields of application, the potential value of qualitative research is illustrated with reference to recent research.
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TL;DR: In this paper, a theoretical framework is developed that integrates the theory of learned helplessness, cognitive dissonance, and subjective quality of life models to avoid the existence of the satisfaction paradox at least in a part of the concerned individuals and hence open the possibility to increase overall well-being in the society.
Abstract: Positive life satisfaction in poverty represents in well-being research the so called satisfaction-paradox. In poverty studies the state of being satisfied with a life in poverty has been explained by either shiftlessness of the people expressing it or by conscious decision of the individual for a poverty life. This article in contrast develops a constructive explanation to the problem in order to create the possibility for intervention and thus reduction of the social and material costs for society and strain to the poverty stricken individual. A theoretical framework is developed that integrates the theory of learned helplessness (Seligman, 1978), the theory of cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1975) and the subjective quality of life models (Campbell, Converse and Rodgers, 1976). The interpretation shows new ways how to avoid the existence of the satisfaction paradox at least in a part of the concerned individuals and hence opens the possibility to increase overall well-being in the society.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed time trends in the relationship between marital status and two outcome measures, suicide rates and self-reported distress, and found that the relationship has declined during the last 10-20 years.
Abstract: It is well established in the literature that married people have a higher level of subjective well-being than the never married, widowed, or divorced/separated However, previous research has yielded conflicting results on changes in the relationship between marital status and well-being American happiness data in particular provide evidence of a declining relationship, whereas other studies suggest the opposite trend The present study analyzes time trends in the relationship between marital status and two outcome measures, suicide rates and self-reported distress The hypothesis that the relationship between marital status and these well-being indicators has declined during the last 10–20 years is clearly rejected There is even some evidence that the relative position of never married men has become more unfavorable during this period However, the causal interpretation of these trends is problematic
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared four sets of predictors of life satisfaction: job satisfaction, non-work satisfaction, working conditions and living conditions, and found that although levels of satisfaction varied somewhat by country, significant predictors were quite similar among the countries.
Abstract: Using survey data collected in 1976 from respondents in ten West European countries, we compared four sets of predictors of life satisfaction: job satisfaction, nonwork satisfaction, working conditions and living conditions. Results indicated that, although levels of satisfaction varied somewhat by country, significant predictors of life satisfaction were quite similar among the countries. These results present a picture of relationships among these variables in an historical context.
TL;DR: In this paper, a subculture of homeless Alaska Natives were interviewed to document the attributes of the new alienation scale and the results from this exploratory study suggest that further analysis should prove useful for studying alienation within other ethnic groups.
Abstract: A growing number of sociologists believe that Srole's Anomia Scale, whether modified or not, is too inclusive to measure anomie in any meaningful way when using survey research techniques among subcultures. Evidence from the National Opinion Research Center's annual General Social Survey, which is a cross-sectional sample of adults in the United States, tends to give credence to this criticism — that is, although Srole's Anomia Scale displays a modest degree of internal reliability, it nevertheless lacks external validity in surveys on national subpopulations. This study illustrates the relative superiority of the Margins of Society (MOS) Alienation Scale, which comprises operations from theories on anomie and social isolation. A subculture of homeless Alaska Natives were personally interviewed to document the attributes of this new alienation scale and the results from this exploratory study suggest that further analysis should prove useful for studying alienation within other ethnic groups.
TL;DR: The State of Canada's Environment (SCE) as mentioned in this paper is the collaborative effort of more than 100 experts from universities, private industry, environmental groups, and government, and addresses four fundamental questions about Canada's environment: what are the key environmental conditions and trends in Canada, what are links between human activities and environmental changes; what are environmental, economic, and health implications of these changes; and what are Canadians doing to address the concerns identified?
Abstract: The 750 page report,The State of Canada's Environment, is the collaborative effort of more than 100 experts from universities, private industry, environmental groups, and government. In 27 chapters the report addresses four fundamental questions about Canada's environment: what are the key environmental conditions and trends in Canada; what are the links between human activities and environmental changes; what are the environmental, economic, and health implications of these changes; and what are Canadians doing to address the concerns identified? Topics examined include: environmental components (air, fresh and marine water, land, and wildlife), human activities that affect the environment (e.g. forestry, agriculture, fisheries, urbanization), as well as six regional case studies and major environmental issues such as toxic chemicals, ozone depletion and acid rain. The report also indicates areas where Canadians have made progress toward sustainable development and identifies areas where work remains to be done. Actions that are being taken to strengthen state of the environment reporting in Canada, including the development of indicators, are also briefly discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the NICQL '92 Index for quality of life for children in one hundred and twenty-two (N=122) countries is presented and a ranking of the top twelve and bottom twelve nations is given.
Abstract: The concept of quality of life (NICQL '92) is presented and illustrated through several formulations. From nine relevant child and adult variables extant in current literature an index of quality of life for children in one hundred and twenty-two (N=122) countries is presented. Characteristics of the top twelve and bottom twelve nations by quality of life for children are given, as are rankings by region and worldwide. The paper discusses application of the NICQL '92 Index to policy questions and to social changes across the decade to the year 2002.
TL;DR: Attitudes toward prenatal testing predict attitudes toward the termination of life, and vice versa, and as the public becomes more knowledgeable about the new technology and its implications, there is at least the potential for these two attitudes to become more closely linked in the future.
Abstract: As measured in two recent national surveys, public attitudes toward prenatal genetic testing are overwhelmingly favorable, and attitudes toward genetic testing in general are also predominantly favorable on both surveys Unlike genetic testing, however, abortion in case of fetal defect is endorsed by only a minority of both samples The unreliability of the scales used to measure these attitudes in both surveys suggests that attitudes toward fetal diagnosis and genetic testing have not yet crystallized In part, this unreliability undoubtedly reflects the nature and number of the questions asked; but in part the low reliability of the scale seems to reflect the novel subject matter and the public's lack of familiarity with it At present, attitudes toward prenatal diagnosis and testing appear to be distinct from attitudes toward abortion and the termination of life But attitudes toward prenatal testing predict attitudes toward the termination of life, and vice versa Thus, as the public becomes more knowledgeable about the new technology and its implications, there is at least the potential for these two attitudes to become more closely linked in the future
TL;DR: Using a macro-sociological model, the authors argued that the status of women is an important determinant of sex mortality differences, and examined data from India which is known to have an excessively high level of female mortality.
Abstract: Using a macro-sociological model, this paper argues that the status of women is an important determinant of sex mortality differences This is done first by examining data from India which is known to have an excessively high level of female mortality The examination is further extended by a pooled cross-section and time series analysis of the excess of female life expectancy over male life expectancy for 83 countries
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a three-tier model in which socio-economic variables influence social ideologies which, in turn, differentially affect support for contributory and means-tested programs.
Abstract: Many studies to date regarding public support for welfare-state programs do not have an adequate theoretical model and fail to consider differences in public support for contributory vs. means-tested programs. Moreover, these studies seldom take into account cross-cultural variations. This study presents and tests the validity of a three-tier model in which socio-economic variables influence social ideologies which, in turn, differentially affect support for contributory and means-tested programs. Using comparable data from two countries — Israel and the United States — a path analysis with log-linear models is applied, indicating that, while important cross-cultural differences exist, the model is generally confirmed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the level of overall life satisfaction and satisfaction with various domains of lives of Thais and Americans and explored the relationship between satisfaction with domains of life and overall life-satisfaction in each culture.
Abstract: Comparisons of quality of life (QOL) measures across cultures of countries in different stages of economic development have been very scarce. This study attempts to fill the void in the literature by investigating the level of overall life satisfaction and satisfaction with various domains of lives of Thais and Americans. Additionally, the relationships between satisfaction with domains of life and overall life satisfaction in each culture have been explored. The results of this study indicate that Thais are less satisfied with their lives in general and most of the domains of their lives than Americans. However, both Thais and Americans tend to be more satisfied with their personal domains of lives than environmental domains of lives. In addition, satisfaction with material possessions is found to contribute significantly to overall life satisfaction of Thais but not Americans. This suggests that material wealth or economic development is still a vital mechanism for enhancing QOL of people in Thailand, but is not important for enhancing QOL of people in the U.S.
TL;DR: The Life Product Index (LPI) as mentioned in this paper is a combination of life expectancy and gross domestic product (GDP) to measure the quality-adjusted life of a person and is calibrated to conform with the value of economic activity reflected in the national time budget.
Abstract: The Life Product Index (LPI) is a combination of life expectancy and gross domestic product. It is structured to the notion of ‘quality-adjusted life’ and calibrated to conform with the value of economic activity reflected in the national time budget. The LPI can serve as a guide in national policy planning. It can also be used as an indicator of sensible regulation of hazardous technology and as a guide in the assessment of individual projects. An LPI criterion for net benefit assessment of a project, policy or proposed regulation is derived from first principles. Application is illustrated by an example.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focused on individual differences in optimism, hardiness, and explanatory style among professional adults and their relative contribution to general well-being and found only optimism and the positive internal facet of explanatory style to be significantly related to general wellbeing.
Abstract: Three personality constructs, optimism, hardiness, and explanatory style have been identified as dispositions that bolster health (Roben and Salovey, 1989). This research focused on individual differences in optimism, hardiness, and explanatory style among professional adults and their relative contribution to general well-being. A survey was mailed to attorneys, who were members of the County Bar Association, in a large midwestern city. The results showed only optimism and the positive internal facet of explanatory style to be significantly related to general well-being. Canonical analysis indicated that this relationship was mainly due to the components of general well-being that are traditionally psychological in nature. The experiential and physical components were significantly related but of less importance.
TL;DR: Social isolation can be construed both in the sense of the absence of positive interpersonal relationships and in disassociation from the norms, values and culture of one's own society.
Abstract: Social Isolation' can be construed both in the sense of the absence of positive interpersonal relationships and in the sense of disassociation from the norms, values and culture of one's society.
TL;DR: In this paper, the construct validity of overall and life facet satisfaction measures is investigated by estimating relations among satisfaction constructs disattenuated for measurement error, and controlling for spurious effects of common method variance, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data.
Abstract: We extended research on the construct validity of overall and life facet satisfaction measures by (a) estimating relations among satisfaction constructs disattenuated for measurement error, and (b) controlling for spurious effects of common method variance, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data. Results indicated strong support for convergent and discriminant validity, as well as for significant method effects. Results also indicated that corrected correlations among latent satisfaction variables were similar to their observed counterparts, suggesting that the attenuating effects of measurement error tend to balance spuriousness interjected by common method variance. Suggestions for future research include determining boundary variables which influence the direction of the relationship between overall and life facet satisfaction, and for identifying subgroups of individuals within which these relationships are homogeneous.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of case studies of the hope index in the context of the Iraq invasion of Iraq during the Gulf War and the recession of 1992, showing that hope for peace increased in college students, in their mothers, and in their fathers.
Abstract: The Hope Index is presented as a measure sensitive to significant cultural changes. In this set of case studies, hope was measured in 1988, the weekend of the Gulf ground invasion in 1991, and in the recession of 1992. Hope for peace increased the weekend of the invasion of Iraq during the Gulf War in comparison to hope measured in 1988. Hope for peace increased in college students, in their mothers, and in their fathers. Hope for increased national productivity increased during the 1992 recession, as well as during the Gulf invasion, but only for mothers and fathers. The increased hope and expectation of peace and increased hope and expectations for productivity are discussed in terms of a need theory of hope, the availability heuristic, and in terms of coping strategies.
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of race and social roles on subjective well-being in a nationally representative sample of elderly men was analyzed and it was shown that particular role configurations have an effect on happiness and that these effects are different for blacks and whites.
Abstract: The basic contention of this paper is that research on subjective well-being would benefit from an integration of theory and research from other studies of subjective states, such as mental and physical health. Toward that end, we present results of an analysis of the impact of race and social roles on subjective well-being in a nationally representative sample of elderly men. The findings demonstrate that particular role configurations have an effect on happiness and that these effects are different for blacks and whites. Theoretical implications of these findings for subjective well-being research and role accumulation theory are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors start with the outline of current activities in international organizations and present rich tables on social surveys and a bibliography on social reporting by actor, concluding that there will be a new surge of social reporting in Europe in the 1990s.
Abstract: National and international approaches in social reporting in western Europe are described. The paper starts with the outline of current activities in international organizations. The competing national approaches are discussed. Further topics are the sources and products of social reporting; the plurality of actors in social reporting, and different ways of its institutionalization. The only incomplete diffusion of social reporting in Western Europe is described and some hypotheses are offered for an explanation. The conclusion points that there will be a new surge of social reporting in Europe in the 1990s. As a basis for its argumentation the paper presents rich tables on social surveys and a bibliography on social reporting by actor.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the effect of parenthood on the time allocation of wives and husbands in a study of both a weekday and a weekend day, both before and after the birth of the first child.
Abstract: The leisure time of 117 wives and husbands was studied to determine the effect of parenthood on this time allocation. Data from both a weekday and a weekend day, both before and after the birth of the first child were analyzed. Ordinary least squares regression was used to analyze the time use model which controlled for weekend/weekday, and looked at the effects of personal characteristics such as wife's education and employment status, husband's wage rate, and number of years married as well as parental status. The time of the wife and the husband and the ratio of the wife's to husband's time were negatively related to parental status. Each personal characteristic was negatively related to the wife/husband ratio of leisure time and unrelated to husband's leisure.
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential value of a numerical, summating index to estimate the quality of Victorian people's lives is described, based on three domains, Health, Economic and Social, drawn on to describe the circumstances of life for Britons in the era 1815-1914.
Abstract: The potential value of a numerical, summating index to estimate the quality of Victorian people's lives is described. Variables in three domains, Health, Economic and Social, are drawn on to describe the circumstances of life for Britons in the era 1815–1914. A range of variables is indexed to their 1914 value for each of the years between 1815 and 1914. The potential value of the index for the assessment of events, trends and policy initiatives is described.