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Studies

Levy (1978): study US 1977

Publication

Author(s):
Levy, S.M.
Title:
Some Determinants of Temporal Experience in the Retired and its Correlates.
Source:
Genetic Psychology Monographs, 1978, Vol. 98, 181 - 202

Investigation

Public
52-74 aged white male retirees, from two universities Mid-West U.S.A. 1977
Sample
Respondents
N = 70
Non Response
36% (12% refusals, 24% not available)
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Focused interviews at home and content-analysis of tapes

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report in focused interview:

Content analysis of interview protocols by 3 independent rates.
1  no satisfaction expressed
2
3
4  mild contentment
5
6
7  overall joy in living

Summation: scales we summed
Classification:
M-CO-c-fi-v-7-a
Author's label:
Contentment-happiness
Error estimates:
Reliability: high inter-rate agreement: r± .80
Full text:
Self report in focused interview:

Content analysis of tapes of a focused interview by three independent raters. `Sense of life satisfaction'  was scored on a  seven-point scale.

Rating options;
1  deep regret for the course of life
2
3
4
5
6
7  complete satisfaction with one's life, no regret

Scores of raters were averaged.
Classification:
O-SLC-g-fi-v-7-a
Author's label:
Sense of life satisfaction
Error estimates:
Reliability: high inter-tate agreement: r± +.80

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Speed of objective time Perceived speed of time Disconnected Present Perceived continuity of time Extension Orientation on the future