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Happiness Measures

Characteristics

Code:
A-BB-cw-mq-v-4-b
Focus:
Affect: Balance (Bradburn's index) (A-BB)
Time frame:
last week (cw)
Mode:
multiple questions (mq)
Scale Type:
verbal scale (v)
Scale Range:
4

Description

Self report on 8 questions:

"During the past week, did you ever feel.....?"
A  Particularly interested in or excited about something
B  Pleased about having accomplished something
C  On top of the world
D  Pity for some people you know
E  Helpless, with no control over situations
F   Bored
G   Vaguely uneasy about something without knowing why
H   Angry about something that usually wouldn't bother you

Rating  options:
0  never
1  once
2  several times
3  often



Summation: Factorially derived clusters:
A+B+C+D (Enhancement)
E+F+G+H (Discomfort)
Affect Balance Score: Enhancement minus Discomfort.

Possible range: + 16 to - 16

Name: Bradburn's `Affect Balance scale' (modified version)

List of Studies Using this Measure

Study Population N Mean
Standard Deviation
Bulatao (1973): study PH Manila 1972 21+ aged, general public, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1972 N = 941
Mean
= 0.300
Palmore (1981): study US 1968 46+ aged whites, North Carolina, USA, followed from 1968 to 1976. N = 375
Mean
= 1.100
SD
= 2.800
Chiriboga (1975): study US 1969 People in transition, metropolis, USA, 1969 N = 216
Palmore et al. (1979): study US Durham, North Carolina 1968 45-70 aged Durham, USA, followed 6 years 1968-1976 N = 375
Mean
= 2.900
SD
= 3.500