Measures of Happiness : Introductory text

AIM
The aim of this collection of happiness measuresis to gather all acceptable methods for measuring happiness. It is part of a wider collection of research findings on happiness and comparability in this collection requires that all the measures of happiness used fit a strict definition.

Happiness is defined as the degree to which an individual judges the overall quality of his/her life-as-a-whole favorably. Within this concept two 'components' of happiness are distinguished: hedonic level of affect (the degree to which pleasant affect dominates) and contentment (perceived realization of wants). These components represent respectively 'affective' and 'cognitive' appraisals of life and are seen to figure as subtotals in the overall evaluation of life, called 'overall' happiness.

All variants can be measured using questioning.Yet not all the questions and observation schedules used for its measurement are deemed acceptable. Many measures tap broader phenomena than defined here. This collection limits to measures that have successfully passed a test for face-validity.

Accepted measures are classified by 1) focus, 2) time-reference, 3) mode of observation, 4) rating-scale type, 5) rating-scale range and 6) variation in wording. Each measure has an unique code.

This collection provides an overview of the available methods for measuring happiness and allows easy selection of measures that have been used in studies one wants to use for comparison. It is hence a helpful tool for designing new research and for interpreting research findings. This catalog is also useful for method development.

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CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS
The word 'happiness' is used in various ways. In the widest sense it is an umbrella term for all that is good. In this meaning it is often used interchangeably with terms like 'wellbeing' or 'quality of life' and denotes both individual and social welfare. This use of words suggests that there is one ultimate good and disguises differences in interest between individuals and society.

Here the word happiness is used in the more limited sense of subjective enjoyment of life. Below I will first present a formal definition of happiness (section 2/1). Within this concept of overall happiness, I then distinguish two components of happiness: hedonic level and contentment (section 2/2).

Then I delineate happiness from related notions, first from other qualities of life (section2/3/.1) and next from other concepts of satisfaction (section 2/3). I go on to note the variable aspects of this concept, that is, dimensions that are not included in the concept as such (section 2/4). The concept is restricted to present life (section 2/5). Finally section 2/6 summarizes the reasons to define happiness in this way

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QUESTIONING ON HAPPINESS
All variants of happiness can be measured using questioning. Hedonic level can also be assessed by observations of non-verbal behavior. Not all the question used for the measurement of happiness are deemed acceptable. Many measures tap broader phenomena than defined here. These measures are left out in this catalog.

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CLASSIFICATION OF MEASURES
Accepted items are classified in two ways: first by the substantive meaning they tap and second by their methodological characteristics.

The categorization of meaning involves the kind of happiness the item focuses on, for instance whether the focal point is on pleasant mood or on contentment. This is called the focus of the item.  Further the items are also classified by the period considered. For example, whether a question on happiness pertains to the last few years or to the mood of the moment. This is referred to as the time frame of the item.

The classification of methodic aspects starts with the technique by which happiness is assessed. Questioning is the most common method, but affect level can also be assessed by behavioral observation (cf. Section 3/2). Next to direct questioning, there are also indirect techniques, such as content analysis of diaries. These assessment methods are referred to as the item mode. All assessments of happiness are scored in a way that allows a ranking. Mostly this is done by using numerical scales, but scores are also recorded on verbally labeled scales or on graphic scales. So the next subject of classification is the rating-scale used. Both the scale-type and the scale-range are recorded.

Section 4/1 presents the rubrics used to determine the focus of items. This classification departs from the above distinction between overall happiness and its two 'components', that is, affect level and contentment. Not all the items fit this conceptual tri-partition; hence there is a fourth category for 'mixed' items.  Section 4/2 presents the ordering of time-frames. A distinction is made between the period referred to in estimates of average happiness, and periods over which change in happiness is followed.

Section 4/3 presents the categorization of question-modes. The major distinction made is between self-reports of happiness and estimates by others. As noted above, other ratings are only accepted for assessment of affect level.

Section 4/4 provides  an ordering of rating-scales.

Section 4/5 outlines how is dealt with similar items that differ only in wording.

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USES OF THIS COLLECTION
This collection provides an overview of the available methods for measuring happiness and allows easy selection of items that have been used in studies one wants to use for comparison. It is hence a helpful tool for designing new research and for interpreting research findings. This catalog is also useful for method development.

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Text by Ruut Veenhoven, last update November 2009