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Studies

Soons (2006): study NL 1987

Publication

Author(s):
Soons, J.P.
Title:
Het Geluk van de Happy Single. (The Happiness of the Happy Single).
Source:
Demos, 2006, Vol. 10, 75 - 77

Investigation

Public
Young adults, followed from age 18 to 26, The Netherlands, 1987-1999
Sample
Probability stratified sample
Respondents
N = 1775
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
And questionnaires

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on four questions:

Using the 1-7 scale below, indicate your agreement with each of the items by placing the appropriate number on the line preceding that item. Please be open and honest in your responding.
A  In most ways my life is close to ideal
B  The conditions of my life are excellent
C  I am satisfied with my life
D  So far, I have gotten the important things I want in life

Answers rated:
7  strongly agree
6  agree
5  slightly agree
4  neither agree nor disagree
3  slightly disagree
2  disagree
1  strongly disagree

Computation: A+B+C+D

Name: Shortened Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS-4)
(In the original scale item 5 reads: 'If I could live my life over, I would change nothing'. This item is left out in this selection because a positive answer to this question does not necessarily mean that the respondent doesn't like the life he/she actually lives.)
Classification:
O-Sum-u-mq-v-7-a
Author's label:
Welbevinden (Well-being)

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Having a partner or not Recent start of living as married Sexe (gender) Sexe: male (vs female) Relation history of the single Earlier marital states Ageing Past happiness ( 1 to 10 years ago)
MARRIAGE: DEVELOPMENT OF MARITAL STATUS
Daily activity Current employment status
Involved in schooling or not