Showing papers in "Social Indicators Research in 2002"

Will Money Increase Subjective Well-Being?

Abstract: Four replicable findings have emerged regarding the relation between income and subjective well-being (SWB): 1. There are large correlations between the wealth of nations and the mean reports of SWB in them, 2. There are mostly small correlations between income and SWB within nations, although these correlations appear to be larger in poor nations, and the risk of unhappiness is much higher for poor people, 3. Economic growth in the last decades in most economically developed societies has been accompanied by little rise in SWB, and increases in individual income lead to variable outcomes, and 4. People who prize material goals more than other values tend to be substantially less happy, unless they are rich. Thus, more money may enhance SWB when it means avoiding poverty and living in a developed nation, but income appears to increase SWB little over the long-term when more of it is gained by well-off individuals whose material desires rise with their incomes. Several major theories are compatible with most existing findings: A. The idea that income enhances SWB only insofar as it helps people meet their basic needs, and B. The idea that the relation between income and SWB depends on the amount of material desires that people's income allows them to fulfill. We argue that the first explanation is a special case of the second one. A third explanation is relatively unresearched, the idea that societal norms for production and consumption are essential to understanding the SWB-income interface. In addition, it appears high SWB might increase people's chances for high income. We review the open issues relating income to SWB, and describe the research methods needed to provide improved data that will better illuminate the psychological processes relating money to SWB.

An overview and evaluation of composite indices of development

Abstract: The search for alternative indicators of development has witnessedthe development of a variety of composite indices of development. Theseindices integrate various social, political and economic aspects ofdevelopment in measurement. This paper presents an overview andevaluation of composite indices of development in terms of certain broaddimensions of measurement. In terms of method and technique, compositeindices are generally additive ones with equally weighted componentsconsisting of variables selected in an ad hoc manner. Numerouscriticisms have been leveled at these methods employed in compositeindexing. Composite indices are mainly quantitative insofar as theindices are all presented in numerical format. Composite indices aresubject to subjectivity despite the relative objectivity of the methodsemployed in composite indexing. Composite indices are of a cardinalnature, but remain ordinal insofar as differences in index values cannotbe interpreted meaningfully. The multidimensionality of compositeindices represents one of their main advantages. Indices representaggregate measures of a combination of complex development phenomena.The comparative application of composite indices of development overspace and time remains problematic. Composite indices generally combinemeasures of ends and means. In respect of method and technique,composite indexing is relatively complex. Composite indices arerelatively flexible, because changes in selection, scaling, weightingand aggregation can be effected readily, albeit at the cost ofcomparability. Composite indices perform relatively well in terms ofcross-national availability, but few indices perform well in terms ofinter-temporal availability. On the strength of the systematic positiveassociation between income and popular composite indices such as theHDI, many have claimed that these indices represent no real contributionto the literature on indicators research. Composite indices,furthermore, are often considered to be ideological statements ratherthan practically functional indicators. Yet, composite indices representuseful supplements to income-based development indicators. These indicesremain invaluable in terms of their ability to simplify complexmeasurement constructs, to focus attention and to catch the eye, thusenhancing their political appeal.

How Neighborhood Features Affect Quality of Life

Abstract: In this paper we report on the development ofthree conceptual models that explain howsatisfaction with neighborhood features affectresidents' quality of life (life satisfaction). The first model posits that satisfaction withsocial, economic, and physical features of theneighborhood affects life satisfaction throughthe mediation effect of one's overall feelingstoward the neighborhood. That is, satisfactionwith the social, economic, and physicalfeatures tend to contribute to one's overallsatisfaction with the neighborhood(neighborhood satisfaction), which in turnplays a positive role in overall feelingstoward life (life satisfaction). Survey datafrom a variety of communities located insouthwest Virginia were collected, and the datafailed to provide support to this model. The second model posits that satisfaction withthe neighborhood features (social, economic,and physical) does affect life satisfactionthrough a hierarchy-of-satisfaction effects –satisfaction with the neighborhood featuresimpacts neighborhood satisfaction, which inturn affects community satisfaction and housingsatisfaction. Housing satisfaction, in turn,affects home satisfaction. Both homesatisfaction and community satisfaction, inturn, affect life satisfaction. The surveydata failed to support this model too. The third model posits that satisfaction withdifferent features of the neighborhood (social,economic, and physical) affect different domainsatisfactions, which in turn affect lifesatisfaction. Specifically, the model arguesthat satisfaction with the physical featuresaffects both neighborhood satisfaction andhousing satisfaction. Neighborhoodsatisfaction plays a role in communitysatisfaction, whereas housing satisfactionplays a role in home satisfaction. Bothcommunity satisfaction and home satisfaction,in turn, play a role in life satisfaction. Satisfaction with the social features of theneighborhood plays a role in the satisfactionwith the neighborhood and the community – thelatter feeds into life satisfaction. Satisfaction with the economic features of theneighborhood plays a role in the satisfactionwith the house and home – the latter feeds intolife satisfaction. The data were mostly supportive of this model.

Why social policy needs subjective indicators

Abstract: There are many qualms about subjective indicators, and some believe that social policy would be better for not using them. This paper consists of a review of these objections. It is argued that policy makers need subjective indicators, the main reasons being: 1. Social policy is never limited to merely material matters; it is also aimed at matters of mentality. These substantially subjective goals require subjective indicators. 2. Progress in material goals can not always be measured objectively. Subjective measurement is often better. 3. Inclusive measurement is problematic with objective substance. Current sum-scores make little sense. Using subjective satisfaction better indicates comprehensive quality. 4. Objective indicators do little to inform policy makers about public preferences. Since the political process also does not reflect public preferences too well, policy makers need additional information from opinion polls. 5. Policy maker smust distinguish between ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. Needs are not observable as such, but their gratification materialises in the length and happiness of peoples’ lives. This final output criterion requires assessment of subjective appreciation of life-as-a-whole

School Satisfaction of Elementary School Children: The Role of Performance, Peer Relations, Ethnicity and Gender

Abstract: The present study examines school satisfactionamong 1,090 Dutch and ethnic minority childrenaged between ten and twelve in relation totheir school context. Data were gathered in 51classes from 26 schools. Individual andclassroom variables were examinedsimultaneously, using multilevel analysis.Controlling statistically for general lifesatisfaction and teacher likeability, theresults show that the effects of educationalperformance and peer victimization on schoolsatisfaction were mediated by perceivedscholastic competence and social self-esteem,respectively. In addition, ethnic minoritygroups were more satisfied with school than theDutch pupils, and girls were more satisfiedthan boys. Multilevel analysis showed thatschool satisfaction was dependent on theclassroom context. The academic and socialclimate in the class had positive effects onthe level of satisfaction with school. Thepercentage of Dutch pupils, the percentage ofgirls and the number of pupils had nosignificant independent effects on schoolsatisfaction.

The role of leisure in determining quality of life: issues of content and measurement.

Abstract: Traditional approaches to themeasurement of leisure's relationship toquality of life have emphasised place-centredindicators (e.g., the frequency of leisurefacility usage) and tended to ignoreperson-centred criteria (e.g., satisfactionwith leisure experiences). Moreover, theunderlying assumption in subsequent policyoutcomes has been that increasing the number offacilities and services will automaticallyenhance people's QOL. This paper focuses onboth the content and measurement of leisure andits relationship to quality of life. Itreports the results of a study that examinedthe relative importance of selected place andperson-centred leisure attributes in predictingquality of life. The study tested a set ofobjective and subjective indicators that peopleare most concerned with in their leisure lives. Overall, it was found that the person-centredleisure attribute, leisure satisfaction, wasthe best predictor of quality of life. Place-centred attributes failed to influencequality of life. Further analysis revealedthat people who engage in social activitiesmore frequently and who are more satisfied withthe psychological benefits they derive fromleisure, experience higher levels of perceivedquality of life. The results suggest thatthere is a need to reconcile objectiveknowledge with subjective perceptions ofleisure in order to achieve greaterunderstanding and comprehensive measurement ofthis complex domain and its relationship toquality of life.

Dispositional affect and job outcomes.

Abstract: This longitudinal study examines the influence of dispositional affect,defined as self-rated cheerfulness at college entry, on three job outcomes – current income, job satisfaction, and unemployment history – assessedabout 19 years later. Analysis shows that individuals with a highercheerfulness rating at college entry have a higher current income and ahigher job satisfaction rating and are less likely ever to have beenunemployed than individuals with a lower cheerfulness rating. Althoughcheerfulness generally has a positive effect on current income, this effectis curvilinear, with current income increasing more rapidly at lower thanat higher cheerfulness ratings; the effect is also moderated by parentalincome, with the increase in current income between any two cheerfulnessratings becoming greater as the level of parental income increases. Theeffect of cheerfulness on current income is not moderated by sex; the effectof cheerfulness on job satisfaction and on unemployment history is notmoderated by either sex or parental income.

The Construct Validity of Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) and their Relationship to Measures of Subjective Well-Being

Abstract: The factor structure of Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) and their relationship to standardized measures of subjective well-being (SWB) were investigated. Two hundred seventy-seven participants ranging in age from 18 to 48 years were administered the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and the SPWB. Results failed to support either the hypothesis that performing factor analytic procedures on the items of the SPWB should produce a six-factor solution, with scale-specific items loading most highly on their respective factors or the hypothesis that subjecting the sub-scales of the SPWB to factor analytic procedures along with standardized measures of SWB would produce one higher-order well-being factor. Instead, item loadings clustered around three major factors that could not be identified with the six scales proposed by Ryff. Moreover, the factor analysis of SPWB and SWB scale totals produced three, instead of one, higher-order factors. Implications of findings are discussed with respect to the relationship of the PWB construct to the SWB construct.

Towards a European System of Social Indicators: Theoretical Framework and System Architecture

Abstract: By developing a "European System of Social Indicators" the scientific community as well as policy makers are being provided with a theoretic- ally well-grounded as well as methodologically sound tool of social measurement to be used to continuously monitor and analyse the development of welfare as well as general trends of social change in European societies. The article focuses on the development of a conceptual framework, to be used to guide and justify the selection of measurement dimensions and indicators. Based on an extensive review of theoretical concepts of welfare and an exploration of political goals of societal development at the European level, six major categories of goal dimen- sions, referring to the concepts of quality of life, social cohesion and sustainability have been identified as the backbones of the conceptual framework. In addition, the article presents the main features of the architecture of the European System of Social Indicators and lays out its main structural elements and characteristics.

Revisiting UNDP's GDI and GEM: Towards an alternative.

Abstract: textThere are two reasons why it is important to have a good measure of gender equality in countries or regions. One is that it is important in itself: countries or regions want to compare their achievements in this area with those of other countries. The second is that such a measure can be used to assess the relationship between gender equality and economic development. In 1995, UNDP has developed two composite indices of gender equality, the Gender-related Development Index (GDI) and the Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM). The paper reviews and extends conceptual and methodological critiques of not only the GDI, but also the GEM – the latter has thus far largely been neglected in the literature. The paper then goes on to develop an alternative composite measure of gender equality that draws on the good aspects of GDI and GEM, but attempts to avoid their methodological weaknesses.

Considering Social Cohesion in Quality of Life Assessments: Concept and Measurement

Abstract: In recent years, the concept of social cohesion has received great attention in scientific research as well as in politics. It represents a central policy goal at the national and the supranational level as declared for example by many policy documents of the European Union. The present paper integrates social cohesion into the components of quality of life and distinguishes two essential goal dimensions inherent in the concept: the inequality dimension and the social capital dimension. The first dimension incorporates the goals of reducing disparities, promoting equal opportunities and combating social exclusion, while the second dimension deals with all aspects aiming at strengthening social relations, interactions and ties. A proposal is made on how to measure this conceptualisation of social cohesion within the framework of a European System of Social Indicators, and some examples of indicators of social cohesion in Europe are discussed.

Wealth of Nations, Individual Income and Life Satisfaction in 42 Countries: A Multilevel Approach

Abstract: In this study, individual and contextual determinants of life satisfaction in 42 countries were examined. The question was addressed whether income at the individual level and wealth at the national level affect life satisfaction of individuals. In addition, the hypothesis was tested whether the relationship between income and life satisfaction is stronger in poor countries than in more prosperous ones. Multilevel modeling allows differentiating between main and interaction effects of group and individual level variables on the dependent variable. It was used to explore a possible multilevel structure in the data, in which individuals are viewed as micro observations and countries as macro observations. The results showed that, in addition to and independent of individual income, the economic prosperity of a nation contributed to a person’s life satisfaction level. Also, the hypothesized cross-level interaction between wealth and income was tested and found significant: poor people living in poor countries were less satisfied with their lives than poor people living in affluent countries. Moreover, complex variation in life satisfaction was found at the within-nation level: poor individuals varied more in their life satisfaction than rich individuals.

An Introduction to the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale

Abstract: QOL researchers have primarily focused their attention on adults. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the rationale, development, and psychometric properties of a multidimensional life satisfaction scale appropriate for children and youth, the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS: Huebner, 1994; Huebner et al., 1998). This multidimensional self-report scale was designed for use with students from third through the twelfth grades. The current version of the MSLSS includes 40 items intended to assess satisfaction with five specific domains (School, Self, Family, Friends, and Living Environment). The presentation will summarize a series of recent studies assessing its reliability, factor structure, and convergent and discriminant validity. Additionally, the potential usefulness of children’s life satisfaction scales for research and clinical applications were discussed.

The Conceptual and Relational Structure of Subjective Well-Being, Neuroticism, and Extraversion: Once Again, Neuroticism Is the Important Predictor of Happiness

Abstract: The purpose of this study wastwofold: (1) to analyze and explore theconceptual structure of subjective well-being(SWB), neuroticism (N) and extraversion (E);and (2) to compare the effect sizes of N and Eas predictors of SWB. The sample comprised 461participants representative of the adultpopulation in northern Norway. Analyses wereconducted by means of Structural EquationModeling (SEM), and the results on (1)supported the notion of an overall subjectivewell-being construct sustained by the threenested dimensions of life satisfaction,positive affect, and negative affect. A simplefactor structure for N and E was notsupported, and considerable modification wasneeded to provide even a mediocregoodness-of-fit for the trait model. On (2),N explained eight times as much of the SWBvariance as did E. Moreover, throughcomparison of several models it was revealedthat if E is the sole predictor of SWB, theinfluence of E on SWB is overestimated by afactor of seven. Since N and E are stronglyand negatively correlated (r = −0.50), themodel comparison demonstrates the importanceof including both E and N as independentvariables in regression models of SWB.

Conceptualizing and Measuring Quality of Life for National Policy

Abstract: The interests in social indicators and social reporting started in the 1960s with the new awareness of poverty in the midst of affluence. In this paper I first discuss the poverty concept and its implication for social policy strategy. The poverty concept should be but one in a system of concepts that throws light on the whole distribution of income and wealth and how income from labor as well as income from capital is generated. The central concepts in the system are income and economic standard, which I explain in different perspectives on command over resources. The command-over-resources concept is used to get from a narrow concept of material welfare that can be measured in money to a wider concept of welfare that includes the universal common social concerns. I confess to being intrigued by the fact that a list of social concerns can be agreed upon that seems to be relevant across cultures, political systems and times. I suggest that this surmised universality springs from the great “life projects” that all humans face over the life cycle. I then discuss the role of social indicators and social reporting as continuous information on these common concerns in the context of an epistemology of the democratic process. Social reporting would serve the democratic process best if it answers “how it is” and leaves the answers on “how it ought to be” and “what should be done” to come about through discussion among citizens.

European welfare regimes and the transition to adulthood: A comparative and longitudinal perspective

Abstract: Cet article fait part d'une recherche empirique et longitudinale concernant la mesure du passage a l'âge adulte en Europe. Les AA. prennent ici en compte les indicateurs sociaux, qui sont : le depart du domicile parental, la mise en couple, la fertilite, et les confrontent aux trois principaux modeles de protection sociales prevalent en Europe. Ils s'interrogent sur les effets des diminutions des aides sociales au niveaux de ces jeunes adultes et de leurs futures conditions de vie

Unravelling Subjective Quality of Life: An Investigation of Individual and Community Determinants

Abstract: Subjective quality of life is a popular measureof outcomes across fields as disparate asmedical research, community and healthpsychology and sociology. Its widespread usehas led to recent calls for a betterunderstanding of the psychological determinantsof the construct, emphasising the need to builda substantial body of knowledge around whatdetermines and impacts on perceptions of lifequality if it is to live up to currentexpectations as an outcome variable. This studyused two likely determinants of quality oflife, an individual level variable, loneliness,and a community level variable, aspects ofsense of community, and investigated theirassociation with subjective quality of life.Confidence in the results of the study wasstrengthened by repeating it in two separatetowns, matched on fundamental demographicvariables. The results revealed that subjectivequality of life was consistently associatedwith the individual level variable, loneliness,in both towns. Lonely people consistentlyreported significantly lower quality of life,particularly in the domains of intimacy,community involvement and emotional well-being.Once loneliness had been accounted for, thecommunity level variables showed much weaker,and generally no association with reportedquality of life. The importance of continuingto empirically identify variables that impactupon subjective quality of life is discussed.

Changes in Subjective and Objective Measures of Economic Well-Being and Their Interrelationship among the Elderly in Singapore and Taiwan

Abstract: Cet article examine les changements de statut economique des personnes âgees de Singapour et de Taiwan et les determinants de ces changements. A travers cela, les AA. ont observe les niveaux et les changements operes dans les mesures subjectives et objectives du bien etre economique, et les associations entre ces deux types de mesures. Ils ont egalement cherche a savoir si certaines transitions telles que le veuvage, le decin de la sante ou la retraite, affectent chez ces personnes la perception du niveau de leur revenu

International Comparisons of Trends in Economic Well-being

Abstract: This paper develops a new measure of economic well-being for selected OECD countries for the period 1980 to 1996 and compares trends in this new Index to GDP per capita. We argue that the economic well-being of a society depends on the level of average consumption flows, aggregate accumulation of productive stocks, inequality in the distribution of individual incomes and insecurity in the anticipation of future income. However, the weights attached to each component will vary, depending on the values of different observers. We argue that public debate would be improved if there is explicit consideration of the aspects of economic well-being obscured by average income trends and if the weights attached to these aspects were made visible and were open for discussion.

Trends in violent crime: a comparison between police statistics and victimization surveys

Abstract: Usually, two measures are used to describetrends in violent crime: police statistics andvictimization surveys. Both are available inthe Netherlands. In this contribution, we willfirst provide a description of the trends inviolent crime. It appears that both types ofstatistics reflect a different trend in thedevelopment of violence over the past twodecades. According to police statistics,violent crime has increased considerably,whilst the victimization surveys show thatviolent crime has not undergone any increase.In the second part of the paper, a number ofhypotheses are considered which could explainthe discrepancies between violence asregistered by the police and violence shown invictimization surveys. Methodological problemsinvolving both data sources are also discussed.In summary, we suggest that the increase inviolent crime as shown by police statistics isin part due to more professional registrationbased on an increased willingness to reportcrimes, and increased computerization, whichfacilitates registration. We suggest thatalthough violence may have increased, thisincrease is not likely to be as high assuggested by police statistics

The Relationship between Economic Development and Social Welfare: A New Adjusted GDP Measure of Welfare

Abstract: Existing literature focuses on the issue of preparation of social welfare measurements on the basis of an unadjusted Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This paper extends this method to incorporate cost-benefit analysis of economic growth in a growing economy in calculating the adjusted GDP, termed as the cost-benefit (CB)-adjusted GDP. This approach is empirically applied to Thailand. There are stark differences between GDP per capita and CB adjusted GDP per capita rates for this period. This paper concludes that GDP can be used as an indicator of social welfare if the GDP estimates are undertaken within a cost-benefit analysis framework.

I Want to Pretend I’m Eleven Years Younger: Subjective Age and Seniors’ Motives for Vacation Travel

Abstract: Subjective age–as distinct from chronologicalAge–is a relatively recent area of scientificinquiry within quality-of-life studies. Thepurpose of this empirical study was to seewhether the size of the gap between actual andself-perceived age could be predicted from aknowledge of a senior's reasons for wanting totravel on vacation, and his or her valuepriorities and sense of physical well-being. Asurvey of 356 Australian seniors ranging in agebetween 56 and 93 yielded data on theirsubjective age, measured in terms of (a) howold they felt; (b) the activities they wouldchoose to experience or enjoy while on avacation; and (c) the age they wished to betreated and recognized as–as well as theirpsychological motives for vacation travel,personal values, and self-rated health. Theresults of multivariate analyses indicate thatthe gap between actual age and subjective ageis a function of seniors' particular motivesfor travel and what they value in life, and,for certain aspects of subjective age, howhealthy they feel and their gender.

Quality of Life in a European Perspective: The EUROMODULE as a New Instrument for Comparative Welfare Research

Abstract: In this article, a new survey instrument for comparative welfare research and social reporting is described, the EUROMODULE. It has been set up in intensive discussions among experts from several nations engaged in quality of life research and social reporting. By combining indicators of objective living conditions, subjective well-being, and quality of society, with this new survey central aspects of the quality of life of European citizens can be investigated. The EUROMODULE initiative aims at strengthening efforts to monitor and systematically analyze the current state and the changes in living conditions and quality of life in Europe in a comparative perspective. So far, data for eight European countries are available.

The role of quality of life surveys in managing change in democratic transitions: the South African case

Abstract: The South African Quality of Life Project has tracked subjective well-being, life satisfaction and happiness, since the early eighties at the national level. In most democratic countries around the globe, the average citizen says he or she is satisfied with life in general. In South Africa this is not the case. Since the early 1980s, the trend study shows up disparities between one sector of the South African population that is satisfied with life in general and various aspects of life and another sector that is very dissatisfied. Generally, the better-off report higher levels of satisfaction and happiness than the worse-off. The most plausible explanation for the South African quality-of-life constellation is the huge gap in living standards between rich and poor, a legacy of the apartheid era, which discriminated against blacks and to a lesser extent against Indian and coloured people. Euphoria following on the first democratic elections in April 1994, which registered equally high aggregate levels of happiness and life satisfaction among all sectors of the population, was short-lived. Under democracy, expectations “for a better life for all”, the election slogans for the 1994 and 1999 general elections, has risen. South Africa has one of the most enlightened constitutions, which guarantees basic human rights and supports advancement of the previously disadvantaged. As long as South Africans perceive barriers to accessing the material rewards of democracy, they do not see justice has been done. South Africa is currently grappling with problems common to other societies in transition to democracy. Since 1994, government programmes and policies have been devised to address the critical twin problems of poverty and inequality in society. The latest round of research for the South African Quality of Life Trends Project probes popular assessments of the policies and programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of ordinary South Africans. Interviews with a panel of 25 opinion leaders in the run-up to the June 1999 general elections were followed by a nationally representative opinion survey in October 1999. The paper outlines the role of social indicators in monitoring quality of life in South Africa and reports findings from the elite and rank-and-file surveys. Generally, the winners and losers in the new political dispensation see changes from a different perspective. The disadvantaged are more likely to have seen material gains and recommend increased delivery of services and opportunities for social mobility. The advantaged, who have mainly experienced non-material or no gains since 1994, are more likely to be pessimistic about the future. It is concluded that the grounds well of optimism will sustain the majority of South Africans who are still dissatisfied with life until their dreams of the good life are fulfilled.

Indicators of Gender Equality for American States and Regions: An Update

Abstract: This paper describes the methods and datasources used to update state-level indicatorsof economic, political, and legal genderequality originally developed by Sugarman andStraus (1987). Indicators were combined tocreate an updated version of the GenderEquality Index and relevant subscales. Preliminary evidence of the internalconsistency reliability and construct validityof the updated measure is presented. Acomparison of state rankings for the originaland updated versions of the Gender EqualityIndex reveal that there continue to bestatistically significant differences betweenU.S. states and regions in the degree of genderequality observed but there is evidence of atrend toward greater homogeneity among states. Scores on the overall index have not increasedsubstantially in states identified as having ahigh degree of gender equality previously. Instead, the most dramatic increases areoccurring in states characterized by lowerlevels of gender equality previously. Despiteincreases observed among states, the medianscore of 62 on the Updated Gender EqualityIndex reveals that in the typical Americanstate, women have achieved less than two-thirdsof what is needed to have equality with men.

South Africa's `Rainbow People', National Pride and Optimism: A Trend Study

Abstract: Since the first democratic elections of1994, South Africans are popularly known as the`rainbow people'. The paper reports theacceptance of the rainbow as political symbolof unity among the diverse people of SouthAfrica at three times: Immediately after the1994 elections, two years later in 1996, andfive years later in 1999 after the secondgeneral elections. The database for the studyare responses to items placed with a syndicatednational survey conducted countrywide. Thepublic discourse on the rainbow is reviewedthrough personal interviews with a panel of 25elites contacted in the run-up to the secondgeneral elections. The researchers revisitconclusions based on the earlier results(Moller, Dickow and Harris, 1999). The thirdround of research finds that the appeal of therainbow as political symbol has waned but isstill inclusive of all groups in society.Projections of national pride have shifted fromthe rainbow as symbol of unity andreconciliation to other icons of achievementsuch as the Reconstruction and DevelopmentProgramme and prowess in sport. Support for thepolitical symbolism of the rainbow ispositively associated with happiness, lifesatisfaction and optimism. Lack of a focus ofnational pride is associated with pessimism.Results support the conclusion reached earlierthat belief in the `rainbow nation' idealboosts optimism and promotes happiness duringSouth Africa's transition to a stabledemocracy, thereby preventing alienation amongthe losers under the new politicaldispensation. Linkages between acceptance ofthe rainbow symbol, subjective well-being andoptimism are discussed in the light of thesocio-political changes which have taken placein South Africa since democracy.

Living Conditions in the Arctic

Abstract: This paper introduces a model for conducting research on living conditions among peoples that have experienced rapid social, cultural and economic change in countries where a non-parallel development has occurred This model was developed by the researchers of SLICA, A Survey of Living Conditions in the Artic; Inuit, Saami and the Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka, which was initiated by Statistics Greenland in 1997 The point of departure for this model is a critique of contemporary living conditions surveys carried out by national statistical bureaus in economically, technologically and culturally segmented areas The point of view is that these studies erroneously assume that the populations they investigate are homogeneous, and that consensus concerning individual social and economic objectives exists This usually leads to research designs and indicators of individual well-being that reflect the dominant culture, or the prevalent way of living and thinking in these countries The focus of this paper is on the research design of SLICA The implementation of two important methodological challenges is discussed Namely, (1) how to secure a contextspecific concept of well-being which also mirrors the life forms and the priorities of the respondents and (2) how to measure impacts of structural change on individual well-being

Community assessment of the effects of casinos on quality of life

Abstract: Recent attention has focused upon the socialand economic impact of legalized gambling,particularly casino gambling. Thoughconsiderable attention has been paid to theeffects on individuals in such areas as problemgambling, less attention has been given to theeffect casino gambling has on citizens'day-to-day life. In particular, how does theintroduction of casino gambling affect theirquality of life? This paper explores thisissue utilizing multiple indicators gathered aspart of an in depth study of the effects ofcasino gambling on crime and quality of life ineight new casino jurisdictions.

Strategies and Traditions in Swedish Social Reporting: A 30-Year Experience

Abstract: Cet article fait part de l'emergence de la construction des indicateurs sociaux en Suede depuis 1969. L'A. revient ici sur les origines politiques et sociales de la constitution statistique de ces instruments de mesure, et rend compte de l'experience suedoise des rapports statistiques sociaux ainsi que des ameliorations techniques necessaires dans la collecte et traitement de donnees objectives et subjectives, ainsi que des orientations futures du systeme suedois

Quality of Life and Living Conditions in the Netherlands

Abstract: The four planning offices in the Netherlands form a network which covers all areas of government. This network matches with the policy-structure in Dutch administration. One of the planning offices, the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP), studies social and cultural aspects. Most of the SCP publications deal with several different aspects of the living conditions. As an integrative tool the SCP developed an overall monitoring instrument: the living conditions index (LCI). The LCI measures aspects of individual living conditions and is composed of indicators from eight areas: housing, health, leisure activity, ownership of consumer durables, sport activity, vacation, social participation and mobility. Education, income and paid employment are considered as resources and are used to describe the backgrounds of living conditions. Not only developments in living conditions for the Netherlands as a whole are monitored, but for various groups in society as well. Is the LCI useful for policy(makers)?