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Showing papers in "Social Indicators Research in 2000"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the relationship between objective and subjective quality of life indicators is discussed and it is shown that the interaction of these variables occurs within a system that homeostatically maintains subjective QOL within a narrow range.
Abstract: This paper reviews the relationship between objective and subjective quality of life indicators. It proposes that the interaction of these variables occurs within a system that homeostatically maintains subjective quality of life within a narrow range. Due to the capacity of this system to adapt to varying environmental circumstances, the objective and subjective indicators are normally poorly correlated. However, it is also proposed that very poor objective conditions can defeat homeostasis and, once this occurs, the objective and subjective indicators display stronger covariation. Empirical data are provided to support this model and the implications for understanding the QOL construct are discussed.

625 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess construct validity and utility of the new measure of vitality, the subjective feeling of being alive and alert, in the context of single factor analysis.
Abstract: Ryan and Frederick’s (1997) measure of vitality, thesubjective feeling of being alive and alert, wasdeveloped in the context of a single factor analysis.The present investigation employed structural equationmodeling (SEM) to assess construct validity andutility of the new measure. A large sample (N = 526) wascollected in two waves, allowing the investigators tofurther develop the model proposed by Ryan andFrederick, and to then validate it on a second dataset. The final model is presented, and the process ofachieving that model is discussed, as are the relativestrengths of SEM in test development.

345 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Aspirations for intrinsic (e.g., self-acceptance, affiliation, community feeling) versus extrinsic goals were examined in German and U.S. college students as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Aspirations for intrinsic (e.g.,self-acceptance, affiliation, community feeling)versus extrinsic (e.g., financial success, appearance,social recognition) goals were examined in German andU.S. college students. The structure of students’goal-systems in terms of goal content was remarkablysimilar in the two cultures, as evidenced byexamination of the ordering of goals. Also, as inpast work in the U.S., German college students whowere especially focused on intrinsic goals had highwell-being, whereas the reverse was true for a focuson extrinsic goals. Some differences between thecultures in terms of specific goals are alsodiscussed.

341 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The psychometric properties of the MultidimensionalStudents' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS: Huebner, 1994) were assessed with a sample of adolescents fromgrades 9-12 as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The psychometric properties of the MultidimensionalStudents’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS: Huebner, 1994) were assessed with a sample of adolescents fromgrades 9–12. Results of confirmatory factor analysessupported the hypothesized factor structure. Further,evidence for the convergent and discriminant validityof the instrument was obtained. Acceptable internalconsistency estimates for the Total and domain scoreswere also obtained. These psychometric propertieswere similar to findings of the MSLSS with youngerchildren. Limitations and future researchconsiderations were discussed.

258 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a method for assessing residents' satisfaction with community-based services is developed and tested using four samples, which is based on the theoretical notion that consumer satisfaction with individual government services (e.g., police, fire/rescue, and library), business services (i.e., banking/savings, insurance, and department stores), and nonprofit services such as alcohol/drug abuse services, crisis intervention, and religious services) affect satisfaction with the community at large (global community satisfaction).
Abstract: A method for assessing residents' satisfaction with community-based services is developed and tested using four samples. The method is based on the theoretical notion that consumer satisfaction with individual government services (e.g., police, fire/rescue, and library), business services (e.g., banking/savings, insurance, and department stores), and nonprofit services (e.g., alcohol/drug abuse services, crisis intervention, and religious services) affect satisfaction with the community at large (global community satisfaction). Ultimately, this global community satisfaction, together with satisfaction with other relevant life domains (work, family, leisure, etc.), affect global life satisfaction. The theoretical notions are explained using bottom-up spillover theory -- a theory highly established in quality-of-life research. This theory applied to the proposed method explains that residents' overall satisfaction with a community can be decomposed into a variety of sub-domains, each of which contributes to their overall feelings about the community. Survey data from four different communities were collected to test the validity of the method. The results provided support to the model and the assessment method and measures used. From a managerial perspective, we showed how the model and the assessment method can be used by community leaders to tap citizens' perception of community quality-of-life and its determinants, identify strategic gaps or problem areas, and take corrective action.

249 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine quelques besoins et quelle voies possibles en ce qui concerne la mesure et la surveillance of l'etat de bien-etre de l'enfance.
Abstract: Cet article examine quelques besoins et quelques voies possibles en ce qui concerne la mesure et la surveillance de l'etat de bien-etre de l'enfance. Une nuance entre le bien-etre et le devenir de l'enfant est apportee. Puis quelques domaines nouveaux auxquels pourrait s'etendre l'etude du bien-etre de l'enfant sont envisages. Enfin, les avantages sociaux de la recherche sur le bien-etre de l'enfant sont rappeles, suivis de pistes pour la recherche future

132 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured the effect of materialistic inclination on the degree of life satisfaction and found that there were no significant differences observed between the two groups with respect to satisfaction with life in Singapore in particular.
Abstract: This article attempts to measure the effect ofmaterialistic inclination on the degree of lifesatisfaction. The study is based on a sample of about1600 respondents randomly selected from differentparts of the city state of Singapore. Theserespondents were divided into two distinct groups withhigh or low materialistic inclination. It wasobserved that when these respondents were asked torate the importance of the nine items from Kahle'sList of Values, the ratings of seven of these itemswere found to be significantly different between thetwo groups. The two groups also indicated differentchoices when asked to rate the things they wanted mostout of life. Finally, it was revealed that they alsoreported different degrees of satisfaction withvarious domains in life in general. However, as withregard to satisfaction with life in Singapore inparticular, there were no significant differencesobserved between the two groups.

127 citations


Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of crime-related issues on satisfaction with the quality of life, satisfaction with life as a whole and happiness in the city of Prince George, British Columbia.
Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to explain the impact of crime-related issues on satisfaction with the quality of life, satisfaction with life as a whole and happiness in the city of Prince George, British Columbia. As explanatory variables, we had measures of respondent fears of and actual cases of victimization, Indexes of Neighbourhood Problems, Police Performance, Neighbourhood Worries, Defensive Behaviour, beliefs about increases in local crime, satisfaction with personal and family safety, and satisfaction with a variety of domains of life (e.g., friendships, financial security, health). Collectively such variables could explain only 5% of the variation in happiness scores, 7% of the variation in life satisfaction scores and 9% of the variation in satisfaction with the quality of life scores. However, they could explain 38% of the variation in overall neighbourhood satisfaction scores. When measures of satisfaction with family life, health, self-esteem, etc. were added, we found that crime related issues were simply displaced by the other measures and that we could explain 31 % of the variation in overall happiness scores, 58% of the variation in life satisfaction scores and 59% of the variation in satisfaction with the overall quality of life scores. We conclude, therefore, that crime-related issues have relatively little impact on people’s satisfaction with the quality of their lives, with life satisfaction or happiness here.

113 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors explored the domains and indicators of social inclusion and exclusion and their interaction at national and community level, within the context of the social quality construct and the notions of Demosand Ethnos.
Abstract: This paper explores the domains and indicators ofsocial inclusion and exclusion and their interactionat national and community level, within the context ofthe social quality construct and the notions of Demosand Ethnos. Social inclusion/exclusion is conceptualiseddynamically within the overarching construct of socialquality. Micro and macro aspects of social quality arediscussed along with the relationship betweenorganisations and institutions and communities, groupsand individuals. The relationship between these levelsis explored in relation to Delanty’s distinctionbetween Demos and Ethos. Drawing on the work ofMcMillan and Chevis, two domains of community areidentified – identification and participation.Relevant attributes and indicators are suggested foreach domain. Interactions between social inclusion and exclusion atnational and community level are then exemplified,ranging from inclusion to exclusion both communallyand nationally via intermediate stages of inclusion inone realm and exclusion in the other. Social policyimplications of the relationship between national andcommunity exclusion are drawn, both formacro/institution and organisational levels (inrelation to legislation and society-wide serviceprovisions) and micro and group and citizen level (inrelation to social work).

108 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined the simultaneous effects of industrialization, four alternative measures of economic dependence, female educational attainment, economic disarticulation, state strength, and acontrol variable, Sub-Saharan African status, on the infant mortality rate for 59 less developed countries in 1991.
Abstract: The infant mortality rate varies widely across theless developed countries. Five macro-social changetheories exist that can explain the variation of theinfant mortality rate across the less developedcountries: modernization theory,dependency/world-systems theory, gender stratificationtheory, economic disarticulation theory, anddevelopmental state theory. Although research supportsthe claims of each theoretical narrative, no singlestudy examines all five narratives simultaneously oris based on recent data. The purpose of the researchreported here was to fill this gap in the literatureby examining the simultaneous effects ofindustrialization, four alternative measures ofeconomic dependence, female educational attainment,economic disarticulation, state strength, and acontrol variable, Sub-Saharan African status, on theinfant mortality rate for 59 less developed countriesin 1991. Results of eight tests of the fivetheoretical narratives indicate thatindustrialization, state strength, and three of thefour measures of economic dependence have little neteffect on infant mortality, whereas economicdisarticulation, female education, debt dependence,and Sub-Saharan African status have the expectedeffects on infant mortality. Theoretical and policyimplications of the results are briefly discussed.

103 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper explored the role and position of grandmothers in African-Caribbean families resident in Britain and found that these grandmothers have taken on a more transnational emissary role for their family and kin located throughout North America and Europe.
Abstract: This paper explores the role and position of grandmothers in African-Caribbean families resident in Britain The data used for this paper comes fromm a sample of 180 life-history interviews collected in 1995–1996 from three generations of Caribbean-origin people living in Britain and the Caribbean Findings from this research suggest that African-Caribbean grandmothers resident in Britain have come to play a less active role within their immediate family compared to earlier historical periods At the same time however, these grandmothers have come to take on a more a transnational emissary role for their family and kin located throughout North America and Europe Caribbean-born grandmothers appear to be using more “modern” means for fulfilling certain traditional tasks like “child shifting”, “story telling” or acting as a “social safety net“ Using their agency African Caribbean-born grandmothers have been able to carve out new niches for themselves despite changes in family structure brought about by migration and settlement patterns in Britain

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors examined and differentiated between subjective measures of personal and social quality of life, and discussed their use in evaluating whether life is getting better or worse, drawing mainly on Australian data but also on USand international studies.
Abstract: The equation of `more’ with `better’ – ofstandard of living with quality of life – is at theheart of a growing international debate aboutindicators of progress. At one level, the debate isabout the adequacy of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) asthe dominant indicator of national performance. However, the debate also reaches far beyond thisquestion to challenge conventional thinking aboutprogress. Quality of life includes both objective andsubjective elements, so indicators of progress shouldinclude measures of how people feel about their lives.Drawing mainly on Australian data – but also on USand international studies – this analysis examines anddifferentiates between subjective measures of personal and social quality of life, anddiscusses their use in evaluating whether life isgetting better – or worse.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Overall, age, health status, and social support (having friends/confidante) are better predictors of quality of life forelderly Chinese Canadians than are living arrangements.
Abstract: This paper examines the role of living arrangements in thequality of life of community-dwelling Chinese elders (aged 65 andover) currently residing in Vancouver and Victoria, BritishColumbia. Data are based on a random sample of 830 persons[response rate = 71.5%], who were interviewed in their homes inthe language of their choice in 1995–96. Three dimensions ofquality of life – satisfaction, well-being and social support –are examined for married men and women [living with spouse alonevs. living intergenerationally] and widowed women [living alonevs. living intergenerationally]. Few differences are found formarried persons, especially women; for widows, living alonesignificantly reduces quality of life in a number of areas.Regression analyses indicate that living arrangements are not asignificant predictor of life satisfaction or well-being formarried men and women. For widows, living arrangements determinewell-being but not life satisfaction.Overall, age, health status, and social support (havingfriends/confidante) are better predictors of quality of life forelderly Chinese Canadians than are living arrangements. Findingshighlight the importance of: empirically distinguishing maritalstatus and living arrangements in studying the quality of life ofelders; not homogenizing Chinese Canadian seniors with regard toliving arrangements; and focussing on Chinese elderly widows wholive alone as a group at risk of low well-being.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a valid and reliable instrument to measure quality of life among the inhabitants of Mexico City was developed, based on an analysis of the content of their responses, Quality of Life items were selected for the sample.
Abstract: This study seeks to develop a valid and reliableinstrument to measure Quality of Life among theinhabitants of Mexico City. “Quality of Life” isconsidered to be a subjective, multi-dimensionalconstruct. In this study, information was gathered regarding howinhabitants of Mexico City defined Quality of Life. Based on an analysis of the content of theirresponses, Quality of Life items were selected for thesample. Then a Likert instrument was applied,containing the items obtained from the openinterview. Factorial analyses and tests for internal consistencywere applied in order to ascertain the factorialcomponents of Quality of Life. This allowedstatistically significant differences to be observedbetween Quality of Life factors and certainsocio-economic variables.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors determine to what extent an adolescent's subjective well-being is affected when changes in family structure reach a breaking point and the child can no longer stay with his family, but must be institutionalized.
Abstract: The goal of the present study was to determine to what extent an adolescent's subjective well-being is affected when changes in family structure reach a breaking point and the child can no longer stay with his family, but must be institutionalized The participants were one hundred male and female adolescents, 12 to 19 years of age, 50 of which lived in children's homes, but were originally from 50 different families, and 50 of which lived at home with their parents Two questionnaires were administered: (a) the French adaptation of the Life Satisfaction Scale (Blais et al, 1989) and (b) a questionnaire containing statements related to level of satisfaction in several areas, notably family relationships, body image, work and schooling, and leisure acitivites The difference between the two groups was considerable, with more than one point separating the mean levels of satisfaction of the two groups (20% of the total length of the scale employed) A structural analysis of the results showed the direct or indirect influence of three factors related to placement in a children's home on life satisfaction: a direct effect of placement in a children's home, an indirect effect passing through the satisfaction with family life, and an indirect effect passing through the personal growth

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors extended multiple discrepancy theory (MDT) by applying a Facet Theory (FT)statistical approach to understand the sameset of data, and a holistic model emerges, presenting not only the relationship between OLS andLFS, but also the interrelationships between and amongeach and every facet.
Abstract: Multiple Discrepancies Theory – MDT – (Michalos, 1985)has been established as a leading theory of lifesatisfaction, on the basis of which numerous studieson satisfaction have been designed. Previous researchexamining overall and life facet satisfactionrelationships combined various approaches tounderstanding the interrelationships between thevariables by which individuals measure theirsatisfaction in life. Recently, Lance, Mallard andMichalos (1995) extended the scope of study byexamining the theoretical relationship between overalllife satisfaction (OLS) and satisfaction in variouslife facets (life facet satisfaction – LFS) among1,354 US college students. The present study extendsMDT one step further by applying a Facet Theory (FT)statistical approach to our understanding of the sameset of data. In this way a holistic model emerges,presenting not only the relationship between OLS andLFS, but also the interrelationships between and amongeach and every facet. Results of this analysis arepresented through the correlation matrix and SmallestSpace Analysis (SSA) diagrams. These results arecompared to Levy and Guttman’s (1975) figures in theirstudy on the structure of well-being; although the twostudies examined different populations and askeddifferent questions, the final structural organizationof the data is strikingly similar.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an empirical model is presented that accounts for adaptation behavior in self-reports on life-satisfaction, which is used to determine preference drift, adaptation to income levels, in life satisfaction.
Abstract: In this paper an empirical model is presented thataccounts for adaptation behavior in self-reports onlife-satisfaction. The model is used to determinepreference drift – adaptation to income levels – inlife-satisfaction. With preference drift, the effectof income on life satisfaction varies with the levelof life satisfaction. It is found that preferencedrift mainly occurs among individuals with a highlevel of life-satisfaction.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Happiness Questionnaire as mentioned in this paper contains four open-ended questions (e.g., "What makes you happy?"), and two objective items assessing the level of perceived happiness were administered to Canadian and Korean students.
Abstract: Based on the cross-cultural psychosocial notion of individualism and collectivism, comparisons between two contrasting cultures with regard to the criteria for avowed happiness were made. The Happiness Questionnaire, which contains four open-ended questions (e.g., “What makes you happy?”), and two objective items assessing the level of perceived happiness were administered to Canadian and Korean students. The responses to the four questions were content-analyzed along 14 categories. Comparisons of the proportions in each of the 14 categories revealed that, although the students from the two cultures differed in their absolute level of perceived happiness, they seemed to employ essentially the same ordered set of criteria in expressing their avowed happiness.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the weighted principal component method on the human development indicators to measure and analyzethe progress of human development in the world, and employed the main principal component was employed to quantify the temporal changes of the human developing of several selected countries by the proposed Z-test.
Abstract: In this study, we used the weighted principal component method on the human development indicators to measure and analyzethe progress of human development in the world. The main principal component was employed to quantify the temporal changes of the human development of several selected countries by the proposed Z-test. The trends of the human development in the period of market transition in two large countries, China and Russia, were discussed in terms of the impact of public health as well as economic development. The association of the main principal component obtained from our study and the human development index reported by the United Nations Development Programme was estimated by the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, structural equation modeling (LISREL 8.0) was employed to investigate the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) job and life satisfaction and firm performance.
Abstract: This study employs structural equationmodeling (LISREL 8.0) to investigate a model of therelationship between chief executive officer (CEO) joband life satisfaction, as well as the relationshipbetween CEO job and life satisfaction and firmperformance. Consistent with recent research, ourmodel also includes several potential mediators of thejob/life satisfaction relationship – overall stress,work conflict, nonwork conflict, and nonworksatisfaction. We rely on questionnaire data from 221owner/managers of family owned and controlledautomobile dealerships. Results indicate that CEO joband life satisfaction are more strongly correlatedthan among average American workers, as predicted, butthat there is no moderator effect on firm performance.Nor does life satisfaction mediate the relationshipbetween job satisfaction and firm performance.Contrary to theory, there are no significantrelationships with firm performance. Theorganizational implications of CEO satisfaction forfirm performance are considered.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Both social epidemiology and quality of life measures need to be gendered and differentiated to fully capture the diversity of women's and men's health experiences.
Abstract: The addition of social indicators and quality of life measures to the raft of traditional health indicators used to assess health and well-being has certainly provided a much-needed contextual understanding of health outcomes. However, most quality of life measures remain undifferentiated by gender. Outcomes can be disaggregated along age, class, ethnic, racial and gender dimensions but few quality of life measures (or social indicators for that matter) are sensitive to the subtle effects of gender socialization on health and well-being. Both social epidemiology and quality of life measures need to be gendered and differentiated to fully capture the diversity of women’s and men’s health experiences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper used the Student Quality of Life and Satisfaction (SQOLAS) instrument and 467 University of Rhode Island undergraduate and graduatestudents as participants in order to examine relationships among functioning and performance variables, student concern and importance areas, and measures of socio-personal satisfaction and well-being.
Abstract: The following study used the Student Quality of Lifeand Satisfaction (SQOLAS) instrument and 467University of Rhode Island undergraduate and graduatestudents as participants in order to examinerelationships among functioning and performancevariables, student concern and importance areas, andmeasures of socio-personal satisfaction andwell-being. Canonical correlational analysis revealedtwo statistically significant canonical correlationsbetween a student functioning/performance variable setand a concern/importance area variable set. A set ofvariables related to increased concern and importanceratings of socio-sexual behavior, and decreasedratings of crime, violence, multicultural, and genderissues was significantly associated with a second setof variables: increased levels of alcohol use andassociated negative consequences, younger age,increased mental health concerns, men more than women,decreased class year, and less positive ratings towarddirection in life. Standard multiple regressionanalysis produced a statistically significant modelwhere positive attitude towards direction in life canbe predicted by higher levels of socio-personalsatisfaction and deep metacognitive processing, andlower levels of alcohol use and associated negativeconsequences, and fewer mental health concerns.Implications of the results are discussed in relationto theories of cognitive behavior, phenomenologicalfunctioning, life meaning, and well-being.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the Brazilian Amazon during the 1980s, urban population growth outstripped rural growth, and by 1991, most of the region's population resided in urban areas, which resulted in high pollution as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the Brazilian Amazon during the 1980s,urban population growth outstripped rural growth, andby 1991, most of the region's population resided inurban areas. Much of this urban growth involvedestablishment of unplanned housing with inadequateinfrastructure, which resulted in rising pollution. This paper compares indicators of environmentalquality in urban populations of the Amazon in 1980 and1991, and among different kinds of urban populationsin 1991. The results show that environmental qualityin the region deteriorated during the 1980s as theproduction of and exposure to environmental hazardsrose while resources to ward off hazards eroded. Thefindings also show that environmental quality wasparticularly poor in more rapidly growing urbancenters. The urban Amazon may not afford an adequatestandard of living and this may generate out-migrationfrom the region.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey of 544 respondents in 1995 and 1055 respondents in 1997 from Tehran, Iran was conducted to measure the degree of happiness among Iranians across gender, income, age, and educational levels.
Abstract: This study is based on a survey of 544 respondents in 1995 and 1055respondent in 1997 from Tehran, Iran. It measures the degree ofhappiness among Iranians across gender, income, age, and educationallevels. By drawing on satisfaction with various dimensions of life,the study also explores the correlates of happiness and comparesthem with the 1994 GSS survey of Americans.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a study of Ontario non-farm rural residents' perceived quality of life was conducted to understand their perceived quality-of-life both in absolute and relative terms, focusing on indicators of satisfaction with personallife, community and environment.
Abstract: This paper presents a study of Ontario non-farm ruralresidents’ perceived quality of life. The researchsought to understand residents’ perceived quality oflife both in absolute and relative terms. Measurementfocused on indicators of satisfaction with personallife, community and environment and quality of life incomparison to others. A pre-tested questionnaire wasmailed to a random sample of non-farm rural residentsin Brock and Uxbridge Townships, which lie within onehour’s drive northeast of metropolitan Toronto. Nearly forty-two (41.8) percent of the residentsreturned completed questionnaires. The majority ofrespondents indicated they were satisfied with mostaspects of the quality of their lives. The demographiccharacteristics that were consistently found to havesignificant associations with indicators of absolutequality of life and relative quality of life wereincome, length of residency, presence or number ofchildren in the home and township. Other demographiccharacteristics almost as consistently found to besignificantly associated with indicators of absoluteand relative quality of life were gender, followed byage, marital status, amount of land surrounding thehome and education. Comparing objectively-baseddemographic characteristics and more subjectivelyderived indicators of absolute and relative quality oflife provided a useful way of understanding quality oflife perceptions of Ontario rural non-farmresidents.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compare the performance of three types of states, i.e., the US, West Germany and the Netherlands, in terms of economic growth per capita and the lowest rates of unemployment.
Abstract: A crucial debate in policy-making as well as academiccircles is whether there is a trade-off betweeneconomic efficiency and the size/generosity of thewelfare state. One way to contribute to this debate isto compare the performance of ‘best cases’ ofdifferent types of state. Arguably, in the decade1985’94, the US, West Germany and the Netherlands were ‘best cases best economic performers’ in whatEsping-Andersen (1990) calls “the three worlds ofwelfare capitalism”. The US is a liberalwelfare-capitalist state, West Germany a corporatiststate, and the Netherlands is social democratic in itstax-transfer system, although not its labor marketpolicies. These three countries had rates of economicgrowth per capita as high or higher than other richcountries of their `type’, and the lowest rates ofunemployment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors give an account of the major welfare concepts and social reporting concepts of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and discuss possibilities and limits of social reporting today.
Abstract: In this paper I give an account of the major welfare conceptsand social reporting concepts of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Inconclusion I discuss possibilities and limits of social reporting today.Quality of life and qualitative growth were the welfare programs of the1970s. The next decade saw a trend to individualization, subjectivewell-being and plurality of life styles. In the last decade the qualityof society once more came into the forefront in concepts likesustainable development, human development and social capital. From thefar-reaching program of the “social indicators movement” socialreports are the most visible results in many countries whereas ambitiousplans like national goals accounting failed. In the 1980s we watched akind of “dissolution by diffusion” and in the 1990s a revival inseveral fields. Overall, the monitoring and enlightenment function stillis the most important contribution of social reporting but today on ahigher level of data, methods and international comparisons.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a lagged dependent variable model is used to find causal priority between human well-being and per capita gross real product (GWP) in a country. But the model is limited to three broad income groups: high, middle and low.
Abstract: Whether a country should try to improve human well-being of the masses or should concentrate solely on economic upliftment of the country is an alarming question in development economics. Survey of literature evidences a number of views in this respect. Present study uses the lagged dependent variable model to address the question. It attempts to find causal priority between human well-being and per capita gross real product (an indicator of economic achievement of a country). In this context it uses three core indicators of human well-being life expectancy at birth, infant survival rate and adult as well as three broad income groups: high, middle and low.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors explored self-reported happiness across afourfold personality framework that synthesizespsychoanalytic and psychometric approaches topersonality structure using survey data from arepresentative sample of the U.S. adult population, they identified four personality types rooted in two basicdimensions -extraversion/introversion andTendermindedness/Toughmindedness.
Abstract: This paper explores self-reported happiness across afourfold personality framework that synthesizespsychoanalytic and psychometric approaches topersonality structure. Using survey data from arepresentative sample of the U.S. adult population, weidentified four personality types rooted in two basicdimensions – Extraversion/Introversion andTendermindedness/Toughmindedness. On a general level,we found that Extraverts were happier than Introverts,and Tendermindeds were happier than Toughmindeds. More specifically, we identified patterns ofsimilarities and differences across personality typesin the meaning of happiness with respect to goodeating habits, financial insecurity, anxiety andtension, financial optimism, and health concerns.