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Studies

Veenhoven & Ehrhardt (1995): study ZZ World samples 1985

Publication

Author(s):
Veenhoven, R.; Ehrhardt, J.
Title:
The Cross-National Pattern of Happiness. Test of Predictions Implied in Three Theories of Happiness.
Source:
Social Indicators Research, 1995, Vol. 34, 33 - 68

Investigation

Public
University students, 39 nations around 1985
Sample
Non-probability chunk sample
Respondents
N = 18032
Non Response
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Questionnaire completed in class

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

We have talked about various parts of your life, now I want to ask you about your life as a whole. How satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days.....?
7  completely satisfied
6
5
4  neutral
3
2
1  completely dissatisfied
Classification:
O-SLW-c-sq-n-7-a
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 7 On range 0-10
Mean:
4.63 -
SD:
0.99 -
Full text:
Self report on single question:

Here are some words and phrases. We would like you to use these in describing how you feel about your present life..
1  unhappy
2
3
4
5
6
7  happy

(originally presented horizontally)

Item in Campbell's semantic differential scale
Classification:
O-HL-c-sq-n-7-a
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 7 On range 0-10
Mean:
4.81 -
SD:
1.07 -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Nutrition Malnutrition in nation real income per capita Purchasing power (`real' GDP pc) social security Social security in nation gender equality Gender inequality (women emancipation) in nation Income inequality Income inequality in nation freedom of press Freedom of press in nation political democracy Political democracy in nation education Schools in nation
Public education in nation
media attendence Media attendance in nation Explained variance NATION: SOCIETY