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Studies

Brulé & Veenhoven (2012): study ZZ Europe 2000

Publication

Author(s):
Brulé, G; Veenhoven, R.
Title:
Why are Latin Europeans Less Happy? The Impact of Hierarchy.
Source:
Camevacci, M.;Ed.: 2012, "Polyphonic Anthropology: Theoretical and Empirical"

Investigation

Public
Adults, 6 European nations, 2000-2009
Survey name
Pooled surveys
Sample
Varied Probability
Respondents
N = 55000
Non Response
Assessment
Multiple assesment methods
Different methods across surveys. Most were conducted face-to-face.

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question

Various questions on satisfaction with life as-a-whole, rated on 10 or 11 step numeral scales. 10 step variants stretched to range 0-10
Classification:
O-SLW-*-sq-nt-11-a
Author's label:
Overall happiness
Remarks:
North Europe  M=7,9   Latin Europe   M=6,9
Page in publication:
2
Full text:
Self report on 14 questions

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday? How about..
A  enjoyment?
B  physical pain
C  worry
D  sadness
E  stress
F  anger
G  depression
H  love

Now please think about YESTERDAY, from the morning until the end of the day. Think of where you were, what you were doing and how you felt.
I    Did you feel well rested yesterday?
J   Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?
K  Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday?
L  Would you like to have more days just like yesterday?
M  Were you proud of something you did yesterday?
N   Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?

Rated:
1  yes
0 no
-  no answer, don't know

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+H+I+J+K+L+M+N)/8
- Average % negative affect = (B+C+D+E+F+G)/6
- Affect Balance = Average % positive affect - Average % negative affect

Transformation to range 0-10:
(Score[range-100-100] + 100)/200*10

These questions do not measure hedonic level of affect of individual persons adequately, since yesterday's mood does not always correspond with typical average mood. Yet these questions can be used for measuring hedonic level in aggregates, such as nations, since individual variations balance out in big samples.
Classification:
A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-b
Author's label:
Hedonic level of affect
Page in publication:
2
Full text:
Self report on single question:

Here is ladder representing the 'ladder of life'. Let's suppose the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you; and the bottom, the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?
10 best possible
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0 worst possible life

This question was followed (not preceded) by items on life 5 years ago and 5 years from now.
Classification:
C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c
Author's label:
Contentment
Remarks:
North Europe  M=4,0   Latin Europe   M=3,5
Page in publication:
2

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Perception of hierarchy Perceived freedom in nation Perceived fate control (work) Satisfaction with work in nation
Perceived freedom in nation
Approval of hierarchy Inequality in nation
Birth control in the nation
Perceived freedom in nation
Hofstede's Power Distance Index Inequality in nation Perceived fate control (life) Control belief: internal/external in nation
Perceived freedom in nation
Economic prosperity GDP per capita in nation (raw)