Showing papers in "Social Indicators Research in 1995"
TL;DR: The World Database of Happiness is an ongoing register of research on subjective appreciation of life to make the wealth of scattered findings accessible, and to create a basis for further meta-analytic studies.
Abstract: The World Database of Happiness is an ongoing register of scientific research on subjective appreciation of life. It brings together findings that are scattered throughout many studies and prepares for research synthesis. The database stores research findings and presents these in standardized abstracts. This system differs from bibliographies that store publications and data-archives that store investigations. The system prepares for synthetic analysis by capitalizing on conceptual selectiveness, comparability, and completeness. As the method is new, there is no common word for it. It is called a finding-browser.
512 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors derived predictions about level and dispersion of happiness in nations based on three theories of happiness: comparison-theory, folklore theory and livability theory, and tested these theories on two cross-national data sets: a comparative survey among university students in 38 nations and a collection of comparable general population surveys in 28 nations around 1980.
Abstract: .
Predictions about level and dispersion of happiness in nations are derived from three theories of happiness: comparison-theory, folklore-theory and livability-theory. The predictions are tested on two cross national data-sets: a comparative survey among university students in 38 nations in 1985 and a collection of comparable general population surveys in 28 nations around 1980. Most predictions of comparison-theory and folklore-theory are defied by the data. The predictions of livability-theory are all confirmed.
412 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the differences between nations in reported subjective well-being (SWB) by comparing students in S. Korea, Japan, and the People's Republic of China to students in the U.S.A. and found that the Pacific Rim subjects score lower on both happiness and life satisfaction in both absolute terms and when income is controlled.
Abstract: There are marked variations between nations in reported subjective well-being (SWB), but the explanations for this diversity have not been fully explored. It is possible that the differences are entirely due to true variability in SWB, but it is also reasonable that the differences may be due to factors related to self-report measurement such as variation across nations in whether it is desirable to say one is happy. At a substantive level, there might be differences in the norms governing the experience of emotion such that cultural differences in SWB are due to affective regulation. Pacific Rim countries (e.g., Japan, the People's Republic of China, and S. Korea) appear to have lower SWB than their material circumstances warrant, and the U.S.A. has higher SWB than is predicted based on its income per person. The genesis of these differences was explored by comparing students in S. Korea, Japan, and the People's Republic of China to students in the U.S.A., and it was concluded that: (1) The Pacific Rim subjects score lower on both happiness and life satisfaction in both absolute terms and when income is controlled, (2) There probably is not a general negative response set in the Pacific Rim which causes lower SWB, as evidenced by the fact that the Asians express dissatisfaction in some areas (e.g., education and self) but not in other areas (e.g., social relationships), (3) Artifacts are not causing the lower reported SWB, (4) The general suppression of mood in the Pacific Rim is unlikely to be the cause of SWB differences, but Chinese students do appear to avoid negative affect, (5) SWB is no less important and salient in Japan and S. Korea, but does appear to be a less central concern in China, and (6) There are different patterns of well-being depending on whether life satisfaction or hedonic balance are considered.
408 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that a population standard for life satisfaction can be expressed as 75.0 ± 2.5 percent of the maximum score of the measurement scale maximum score.
Abstract: The absence of a ‘gold standard’ for subjective well-being has severely hampered the interpretation of data from empirical studies. This paper demonstrates a remarkable consistency among the results of 16 studies that have investigated ‘life satisfaction’ among large samples drawn from the general population. It is concluded that a population standard for ‘life satisfaction’ can be expressed as 75.0 ± 2.5 percent of the measurement scale maximum score.
393 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed 32 universal human values (e.g., happiness, social order, and social justice) across 101 nations and found that wealth correlated significantly with 26 of the 32 values, indicating a higher quality of life in wealthier nations.
Abstract: Does economic prosperity enhance the quality of human life? Across 101 nations, 32 indices were analyzed that reflect a representative sample of universal human values (e.g., happiness, social order, and social justice). Wealth correlated significantly with 26 of the 32 indices, indicating a higher QOL in wealthier nations. Only suicide and CO2 emissions were worse in wealthier societies. Basic physical needs were met early in economic development, whereas advanced scientific work occurred only when basic physical needs were fulfilled for almost all people in the society. Limitations of the conclusions are discussed.
279 citations
TL;DR: A new index of the quality of life (QOL) of nations was created by combining two indices, designed primarily to assess QOL in highly industrialized nations and between developing countries, which produced a reliable measure of QOL that systematically covers diverse human values.
Abstract: A new index of the quality of life (QOL) of nations was created. The measured variables are selected based on a universal set of human values derived from the work of Schwartz (1994). The Basic QOL Index, designed primarily to discriminate between developing countries, includes seven variables: purchasing power, homicide rate, fulfillment of basic physical needs, suicide rate, literacy rate, gross human rights violations, and deforestation. The Advanced QOL Index, designed primarily to assess QOL in highly industrialized nations, includes seven variables: physicians per capita, savings rate, per capita income, subjective well-being, percent attending college, income equality, and environmental treaties signed. Combining the two indices produced a reliable measure of QOL that systematically covers diverse human values. The nations scoring highest on the Combined QOL Index were Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, U.S.A., and Norway, and those scoring lowest were Ethiopia and Rwanda.
239 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a cross-sectional design with over 1000 participants revealed a positive association between well-being and age, with age as the most significant predictor of well-well-being.
Abstract: The relationship between subjective well-being and age is equivocal. This issue is addressed by two studies. In the first, a cross-sectional design with over 1000 participants revealed a positive association between well-being and age, with age as the most significant predictor of well-being and age, with age as the most significant predictor of well-being using multiple regression analysis. A longitudinal study found less stability in well-being than has been found in the past. Differential age experiences and access to available resources may help to explain the results.
194 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the relationship between satisfaction with life and some psychosocial variables in Portuguese youth born in France and found that the relationship was positively associated with the psychological acculturation of Portuguese youth.
Abstract: As a part of a comprehensive study of the psychological acculturation of Portuguese youth born in France, this paper examines the relationship between satisfaction with life and some psychosocial variables.
157 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a total of 183 elementary school students were administered the Self-Description Questionnaire-1 (SDQ-1) and the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) in order to explore the relationships between self-concept domains and global life satisfaction in pre-adolescent children.
Abstract: A total of 183 elementary school students were administered the Self-Description Questionnaire-1 (SDQ-1) and the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) in order to explore the relationships between self-concept domains and global life satisfaction in pre-adolescent children. Results suggested that children differentiate global life satisfaction from self-concept domains. Also, SDQ-1 domains related differentially to SLSS ratings. Consistent with findings with adolescents (Dew and Huebner, 1994), the Parent Relations domain was the strongest predictor of global life satisfaction for these pre-adolescents. The findings provide additional support for the meaningfulness of the life satisfaction construct with children as well as the multidimensionality of children's subjective well-being.
153 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors extend multiple discrepancies theory by testing alternative theoretical models which specified Bottom-up, Top-Down, and Bidirectional relationships between overall life satisfaction and satisfaction with 11 life facets in a sample of 1354 U.S. college students.
Abstract: Previous research generally has supported multiple discrepancies theory (MDT) of the processes by which individuals arrive at judgments of satisfaction with various aspects of their lives as well as with life overall. However, the nature of possible causal relationships between overall and life facet satisfaction has been ignored. The purpose of this study was to extend MDT by testing alternative theoretical models which specified Bottom-up, Top-Down, and Bidirectional relationships between overall life satisfaction and satisfaction with 11 life facets in a sample of 1354 U.S. college students. Results most strongly favored the Bidirectional model in which the overall — life facet satisfaction relationship varied across life domains. The need to identify boundary conditions which determine the direction of the overall — life facet satisfaction relationship is discussed.
122 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the psychometric properties of the SSL12-I, a short measure to assess the level of social support, are presented, which consists of 12 items, divided into three subscales with four items each: everyday support, social support in problem situations, and esteem support.
Abstract: In this paper the psychometric properties of the SSL12-I, a short measure to assess the level of social support, are presented. The SSL12-I consists of 12 items, divided into three subscales with four items each: everyday support, social support in problem situations, and esteem support. The results show that a three-factor solution, as initially found in two pilot studies, is found again in an extensive community based elderly sample. The conclusion is that the psychometric properties of the SSL12-I are satisfactory, and that this relatively short instrument is especially useful when a rough indication of the amount of received social support is required.
TL;DR: This article examined selected psychometric properties of the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale for groups of black and white elementary school students and found that the findings failed to demonstrate racial bias with respect to reliability, factorial validity, or criterion-related validity.
Abstract: This research examined selected psychometric properties of the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale for groups of black and white elementary school students. Participants included 120 black children and 496 white children from grades 3–6. The findings failed to demonstrate racial bias with respect to reliability, factorial validity, or criterion-related validity.
TL;DR: The livability of nations is measured by the degree to which its citizens live long and happily as mentioned in this paper, and it is concluded that state involvement in welfare provision does not create a more livable society.
Abstract: One issue in the debate on the welfare-state is whether state-care renders society more livable or not. The positive view is that people flourish in the welfare-state, the negative view is that people thrive better without. This article approaches the dispute empirically, by comparing livability of nations that differ in state-welfare-effort. The livability of nations is measured by the degree to which its citizens live long and happily. State-welfare-effect is measured by the scope of welfare-laws and the size of state-welfare-expenditures. Data on average appreciation-of-life around 1980 are available for 28 nations; mostly rich ones. Appreciation-of-life appears somewhat greater in the nations that provide most state-welfare. However, that difference is entirely due to parallel differences in economic affluence. Data on change in life-satisfaction between 1950 and 1980 are available for only 10 nations, all rich ones. Life-satisfaction did not increase more in the nations where state-welfare expanded most. Data on length-of-life in 1980 are available for 97 nations, of which 28 rich ones. Life-expectancy appears to be greater in the nations that provide most state-welfare, but again the difference disappears when income per head is controlled. Data on change in life-expectancy 1965–1985 are available for 35 nations. Gains in life-expectancy appear not greater in the nations were state-welfare expanded most. It is concluded that state involvement in welfare provision does not create a more livable society. Apparently, non-state welfare works out equally well in present day conditions.
TL;DR: In this paper, a certain nombre d'enquetes montrent qu'il existe une relation etroite entre qualite de la vie telle qu'elle est percue, reussite sociale and conditions d'existences.
Abstract: Un certain nombre d'enquetes montrent qu'il existe une relation etroite entre qualite de la vie telle qu'elle est percue, reussite sociale et conditions d'existences. L'A. s'efforce de montrer qu'il existe un lien entre domaine environnemental et monde personnel, que les modalites d'evaluation emanent de la societe globale. L'A. envisage de savoir si la communication, en connectant les individus a leur environnement et en les mettant en contact les uns avec les autres, n'est pas un indice qui permettrait d'evaluer la perception de la qualite de la vie
TL;DR: The authors concluded that individual differences in happiness endure despite its situational reactivity, and explain greater variance than situational effects, and concluded that happiness has both traitlike and statelike properties, but individual differences persist despite their individual reactivity.
Abstract: Veenhoven (1994) contrasted hypotheses of whether happiness is a trait or state, concluding that it is a state variable. This article critiques the conceptual foundation of Veenhoven's paper, and examines technical deficiencies in his review of evidence. Based on previous findings and new analyses, we conclude that happiness has both traitlike and statelike properties, but that individual differences in happiness endure despite its situational reactivity, and explain greater variance than situational effects.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors empirically examined three propositions derived from network theory, particularly the relationship between friends' network and happiness level as a subjective well-being indicator, and found that there was a significant, strong association between happiness and friends" network size for both countries, and that there were not a great happiness difference between them.
Abstract: This paper empirically examines three propositions which are derived from network theory, particularly the relationship between friends' network and happiness level as a subjective well-being indicator. Using friendship network data obtained from 1985 NORC General Social Survey for the U.S., and from 1993 CIRES Social Survey for Spain, a cross-national comparison between Spain and the U.S. was performed. Results are compared with previous major Davis' and Burt's works for the U.S. It was found that there was a significant, strong association between happiness and friends' network size for both countries, and that there was not a great happiness difference between them. However, close friendship has a contrary effect on happiness when data from both countries are compared. Concerning socioeconomic status, happiness increased with income, although this effect was higher in Spain than in the U.S.
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the positive and negative affect items each form a single cumulative scale, and that the two cumulative scales taken together form one unidimensional unfolding scale.
Abstract: Factor analysis of the items in the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale has repeatedly shown that the positive and negative affect items are unrelated. Despite this, negative affect scores are routinely subtracted from positive affect scores to derive Affect Balance Scale Scores that apparently provide a valid measure of a sense of well-being. In this paper we offer a resolution to this paradox — and so justify the use of Affect Balance Scale Scores — by showing that the positive and negative affect items each form a single cumulative scale, and that the two cumulative scales taken together form one unidimensional unfolding scale. This explanation is based on a hypothesis by Coombs and Kao (1960) — later proved mathematically by Ross and Cliff (1964) — that when data that are unfoldable in r dimensions are factor-analyzed, r+1 significant factors will be found. In an empirical test, Bradburn Affect Balance Scale data collected from ten countries in the 1981 and 1990 European Values Study surveys were analyzed. The results clearly support the hypothesis that the data form a single unidimensional unfolding scale, although two of the ten Affect Balance Scale items are not homogenous with the rest.
TL;DR: In this article, a simple equation is introduced for calculating individual contribution scores of co-authors of multi-authored papers, based on some assumptions (e.g., minimum and maximum contribution score of authors).
Abstract: On the basis of some assumptions (e.g. Minimum and Maximum Contribution Scores of authors) a simple equation is introduced for calculating individual contribution scores of co-authors of multi-authored papers. The calculated Corrected Contribution Scores are in good agreement with the data obtained empirically, earlier. It is suggested that individual percentage contributions should be declared by the co-authors in the by-line of papers.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report the results of a major study involving six samples from different countries testing the construct validity of the CLS measure and provide additional validational support for the CLS.
Abstract: Meadowet al. (1992) have developed a measure of life satisfaction based on judgment theory, referred to as Congruity Life Satisfaction (CLS). This paper reports the results of a major study involving six samples from different countries testing the construct validity of the CLS measure. The results of these studies provide additional validational support for the CLS measure.
TL;DR: In this article, the explanatory value of two theories expounding the quality of life are compared and discussed, and the variance explained by comparisons (multiple discrepancies) is compared with the variance explaining by resource.
Abstract: The explanatory value of two theories expounding the quality of life are compared and discussed. To make this comparison possible, it is necessary to distinguish between rather clear theoretical assumptions and avoid a mix of theories: the variance explained by comparisons (multiple discrepancies) is compared with the variance explained by resource. Data obtained from the Vienna Student Survey (n=350) are presented. Although multiple-discrepancies theory (MDT) does explain far more variance than the resource approach, critical comments and proposals complete the study.
TL;DR: This article investigated the relationship between quality of life (QOL), general ability and current mood in a sample of young men (N=269, mean age 24.9 years) and concluded that intelligence seems to be a variable of minor interest for QOL-studies.
Abstract: We investigated the relationship between quality of life (QOL), general ability and current mood in a sample of young men (N=269, mean age 24.9 years). Intelligence (verbal, spatial and mathematical) and technical ability were uncorrelated with QOL. Current mood such as pleasure, anger, sadness, boredom correlated firmly with QOL. The paper concludes that intelligence seems to be a variable of minor interest for QOL-studies.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted an exploratory study of the quality of life in Singapore and found that people in Singapore attached great importance to being healthy and having a happy family life.
Abstract: This article attempts an exploratory study of the quality of life in Singapore. The first objective of this study was to gauge how Singaporeans view the quality of their lives and the extent to which demographic characteristics affect life satisfaction. Secondly, the importance of the different pre-selected domains of life was also individually investigated. Finally, the levels of satisfaction with each of these domains were also assessed. It was found that there were no significant relationships found between life satisfaction and demographic characteristics. In addition, people in Singapore attached great importance to being healthy and having a happy family life. Finally, it was also determined that they were in general very satisfied with the various domains of life, particulary with family life and life in Singapore as a whole.
TL;DR: The relation between the amount of medals won at the Olympic games and various welfare indicators has been established for the games of Barcelona and Seoul using a Bayesian method of Poisson regression.
Abstract: The relation between the amount of medals won at the Olympic games and various welfare indicators has been established for the games of Barcelona and Seoul using a Bayesian method of Poisson regression. It was found that medals won correlate strongly with income as well as with more general welfare indicators and that the elasticity with respect to the size of the population is surprisingly smaller than unity.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show empirically that urbanism is a complex factor with four distinct dimensions: demographic scale, economic stress, social stress, and environmental stress, which can be reliably measured with standard composite variables used in today's social indicator research.
Abstract: The time has come for urban social indicator research to converge with the basic substantive efforts of urban researchers. Such a convergence may propel both basic and applied researchers toward more fruitful outcomes. This paper argues that the traditional model of urbanism provides the medium for the convergence. When urbanism is conceptualized to be multidimensional, seemingly discreet indicators of demographic, economic, social, and environmental conditions in cities may be incorporated into a more general model of urban structure and change. Specifically, using social indicators for 195 cities from ZPG's Children's Stress Index and the 1990 U.S. Census, we show empirically: (1) Urbanism is a complex factor with four distinct dimensions: demographic scale, economic stress, social stress, and environmental stress. (2) These four dimensions of urbanism may be reliably measured with standard composite variables used in today's social indicator research. (3) Within the Urbanism factor there are causal connections among the separate dimensions, the most basic of which is that asserted by arguments from the traditional theory of urbanism; specifically, that population size, density, and social heterogeneity are causally linked to stress in economic, social, and environmental systems of the city.
TL;DR: A measure of human development, which is not affected by some relevant drawbacks of the commonly utilized measures, is constructed in this article, which is a function of several attributes associated with various factors, including economic, social, environmental and also includes non-homogeneous attributes.
Abstract: A measure of human development, which is not affected by some relevant drawbacks of the commonly utilized measures, is constructed. It is a function of several attributes associated with various factors — economic, social, environmental — and also includes non-homogeneous attributes. It is non-linear in its variables, so that it includes possible interactions among the attributes. Furthermore, it takes into account public opinion about human development through a well-defined procedure of assessment elicitation. The formulation of the human development function constituting the measure is described when considering just one attribute and then several attributes, and the difference between independence and dependence in assessment is shown. Such a procedure is applied to the measurement of human development in 9 countries of the EU, by using thirteen attributes related to the economic, social and environmental fields as well as to the quality of life.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a measure of life satisfaction which appears useful for analyses of adult sample survey data from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, drawn from the 1981-82 and 1991-92 World Values Surveys conducted in the three countries.
Abstract: This paper describes the steps we took to develop a measure of life satisfaction which appears useful for analyses of adult sample survey data from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Our procedure is factor analysis, and our data are drawn from the 1981–82 and 1991–92 World Values Surveys conducted in the three countries. The result is a six-variable composite measure which meets the following conditions: the constituent items have face validity, the factor structure is similar across countries and also across sub-groups within countries, the factor structure is also similar in 1981–82 and 1991–92, and the factor score based on these structures is highly correlated with variables that are customarily good predictors of life satisfaction and happiness. On the basis of these results, we will be confident in using the life satisfaction measure for future multivariate analyses of the data base aimed at explaining variation in satisfaction. For the same reasons, we would recommend the life satisfaction measure for others' research with the rich World Values Surveys data base.
TL;DR: In this article, a modified version of the Rahe (1975) Recent Life Change Questionnaire was used to assess how much adjustment each event experienced required and whether it was appraised as expected or unexpected, desirable or undesirable, and controllable or uncontrollable.
Abstract: Two hundred and sixty-eight community-residing elderly participants completed measures of physical illness, psychiatric symptomatology, life satisfaction, and recent mood, and a modified version of the Rahe (1975) Recent Life Change Questionnaire on which they indicated how much adjustment each event experienced required and whether it was appraised as expected or unexpected, desirable or undesirable, and controllable or uncontrollable. The results suggest that: (1) scores that reflect how events were appraised accounted for more variance than total frequency scores; (2) optimal predictors differed for different outcome measures; and (3) there are substantial gender differences in the pattern of relationships of predictor to outcome variables. The first two findings are consistent with those reported for younger cohorts. The third finding has not been reported previously.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce a measure that would be of general applicability in measuring diversity in different institutions, and identify the determinants of diversity in child-care centers and examine whether the for-profit sector is less diverse than the not-forprofit sector in the child care industry.
Abstract: This paper has a 2-fold objective: (1) To introduce a measure that would be of general applicability in measuring diversity in different institutions. (2) To identify the determinants of diversity in child-care centers and, in particular, to examine whether the for-profit sector is less diverse than the not-for-profit sector in the child-care industry as the statistics suggest. Using our measure, we isolate factors that significantly influence diversity by using an economic model that makes diversity a decision variable of a firm. Two measures of diversity are suggested: absolute diversity and relative diversity (diversity relative to the surrounding community). To select a suitable index, the Herfindahl measure of concentration is considered relative to several suitable ecological indices measuring species diversity, and found to be virtually identical to such indices. Thus theH-index is used in both absolute and relative measures. Empirical estimation of both absolute and relative diversity equations use probability models and isolate factors that significantly influence both absolute diversity of child-care centers as well as their diversity relative to their respective counties. The data used is the recently released Profile of Child-Care Settings collected by the Mathematica Policy Research.
TL;DR: The authors compared past and present well-being of university students from Canada and the United States and found that Canadian students generally rated the domains of health, recreation, self-esteem, and education lower than did US students.
Abstract: Past and present well-being of university students from Canada and the United States are compared. Ratings for the domains of health, recreation, self-esteem, and education decreased significantly between the 1984 measures and the 1992 measures. Canadian students generally rated the domains lower than did students from the United States. Self-discrepancy measures tended to decrease and hope measures for the United States students indicated less hopefulness now than in 1984. In general, student perceptions of well-being seem poorer now than in the past.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that, despite considerable economic achievements since 1990, there is widespread personal dissatisfaction and distress, and the legitimacy of democratic and market institutions is weak in the former East Germany and Hungary.
Abstract: East European policy makers currently face critical trade-offs between economic imperatives and system legitimacy imperatives Economic imperatives, derived from the goal of medium term prosperity, demand rapid privatization and marketization System legitimacy imperatives demand measures to minimize the unemployment, wage cuts and income inequality resulting in the short term from privatization and marketization In 1989–90 East Germany and Hungary appeared to face the least harsh trade-offs and to be best placed of the ex-communist countries to achieve successful system transformation Unlike their East European neighbours, neither had to develop democratic and market institutions from scratch East Germany would import the Federal Republic's political system and market institutions Hungary already had organized political parties and had been developing market institutions since 1968 Using panel survey data, the paper shows that, despite considerable economic achievements since 1990, there is widespread personal dissatisfaction and distress, and the legitimacy of democratic and market institutions is weak The main data sources are the Hungarian Socio-Economic Panel (1992–5777 individuals in 2888 households) and the East German segment of the German Socio-Economic Panel (1990–4453 individuals in 2179 households)