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Studies

Headey et al. (1984a): study AU 1978

Publication

Author(s):
Headey, B.; Holmström, E.; Wearing, A.J.
Title:
The Impact of Life Events and Changes in Domain Satisfactions on Well-Being.
Source:
Social Indicators Research, 1984, Vol. 15, 203 - 227

Investigation

Public
18-65 aged, general public, followed 3 years, Melbourne, Australia, 1979-80
Sample
Respondents
N = 184
Non Response
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on 10 questions:

During the past few weeks, did you ever feel ....?  (yes/no)
A   Particularly excited or interested in something?
B   So restless that you couldn't sit long in a chair?
C   Proud because someone complimented you on something  
     you had done?
D   Very lonely or remote from other people?
E   Pleased about having accomplished something?
F   Bored?
G   On top of the world?
H   Depressed or very unhappy?
I    That things were going your way?
J    Upset because someone criticized you?

Answer options and scoring:
yes = 1
no  = 0
Summation:
-Positive Affect Score (PAS): A+C+E+G+I
-Negative Affect Score (NAS): B+D+F+H+J
-Affect Balance Score (ABS): PAS minus NAS
Possible range: -5 to +5

Name: Bradburn's 'Affect Balance Scale' (standard version)
Classification:
A-BB-cm-mq-v-2-a
Author's label:
Psychological Well-being

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Satisfaction with contacts with friends Satisfaction with friends Satisfaction with standard of living Earlier satisfaction with income
Change in attitude to income
Satisfaction with marriage Change in satisfaction with marriage Satisfaction with job Change in satisfaction with work Satisfaction with house Satisfaction with housing
Build environment
Satisfaction with organizational memberships Change in satisfaction with organizational participation Past happiness Past happiness ( 1 to 10 years ago) Life events Summed life-events: standard weights Satisfaction with leisure Change in satisfaction with leisure
Change in life-appraisals
Satisfaction with suburb Change in life-appraisals
Change in satisfaction with residence
Attitudes to local environment
Attitude to vicinity
Satisfaction with sex life Change in satisfaction with sex-life
Satisfaction with sex-life
Satisfaction with health Change in satisfaction with health
Satisfaction with health