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Studies

Medley (1976): study US 1971

Publication

Author(s):
Medley, M.L.
Title:
Satisfaction with Life among Persons 65 Years and Older: A Causal Model.
Source:
Journal of Gerontology, 1976, Vol. 31, 448 - 455

Investigation

Public
65+ aged, USA, 1971
Sample
Respondents
N = 301
Non Response
-
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Structured interview

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on 9 questions:

A.  "How satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?"
     (Answer options  not reported)

B.  Eight questions about how Ss feel  about present life in terms
      of :
- interesting  -------------------      boring
- enjoyable   -------------------      miserable
- worthwhile --------------------     useless
- friendly --------------------------     lonely
- full ---------------------------------    empty
- hopeful -------------------------    discouraging
- rewarding ----------------------    disappointing
- brings out the best in me--    does not give me a chance

Response options 1 - 7 numerical scales

Summation: Equal weights for A and B. Precise summation: not reported.
Classification:
O-Sum-c-mq-*-*-c
Author's label:
Satisfaction with life as a whole
Remarks:
Males M= 122  SD = 24.03   Ms'= 8.1    Females M= 116.67  SD= 25.31  Ms'= 7.7

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Family income Household income Health satisfaction Satisfaction with health Satisfaction with standard of living Satisfaction with standard of living Saisfsaction with family life Satisfaction with family of relatives Joint effects Health + income + family