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Studies

Mussen et al. (1980): study US 1930

Publication

Author(s):
Mussen, P.H.; Bieber, S.L.; Eichorn, D.H.; Honzik, M.P.; Meredith, W.M.
Title:
Continuity and Change in Women's Characteristics over Four Decades.
Source:
International Journal of Behavioral Development, 1980, Vol. 3, 333 - 347

Investigation

Public
Mothers, followed from age 30 to 70, Berkeley, USA, 1930-70
Sample
Respondents
N = 81
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Extensive interviews between age 30 and 70

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report in focused interview:

Rating of cheerfulness by interviewer on the basis of an  extensive interview.

Rating options:
7 cheerful
6
5
4
3
2
1  gloomy
Classification:
A-CP-g-fi-n-7-a
Author's label:
Cheerfulness
Remarks:
T1:  M=3.7  SD=1.1  Ms'=4.51
T2:  M=3.7  SD=1.2  Ms'=4.51
Error estimates:
Reliability: T1 inter-rater agreement: r=+.59 Validity:
Full text:
Self report in focused interview

Two independent interviews. Each interviewer rated `satisfaction with lot' on the same scale.
1  tremendously satisfied
2
3
4  average
5
6
7  extremely dissatisfied
Classification:
O-SLC-g-fi-v-7-b
Author's label:
Satisfaction with lot
Remarks:
T1:  M=4.0  SD=1.2  Ms'=5.01
T2:  M=3.6  Sd=1.3  Ms'=4.34
Error estimates:
Reliability: T1 interrater agreement: r=+.60 Validity:

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Cheerfulness Long term happiness (< 10 years ago) Earlier happiness Long term happiness (< 10 years ago) Personality Earlier personality traits Satisfaction with lot Past happiness ( 1 to 10 years ago)