Cherlin & Reeder (1975): study US Los Angeles County, California 1972

Publication

Author(s):

Cherlin, A.; Reeder, L.G.

Title:

The Dimensions of Psychological Well-Being: A Critical Review.

Source:

Sociological Methods and Research, 1975, Vol. 4, 189 -214

Investigation

Public

Adults, general public, Los Angeles County, USA, 1972-1973

Sample

Respondents

N = 1000

Non Response

20% in 1972 and 23% in 1973.

Assessment

Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:

Self report on 10 questions:

During the past few weeks, did you ever feel ....?  (yes/no)
A   Particularly excited or interested in something?
B   So restless that you couldn't sit long in a chair?
C   Proud because someone complimented you on something  
     you had done?
D   Very lonely or remote from other people?
E   Pleased about having accomplished something?
F   Bored?
G   On top of the world?
H   Depressed or very unhappy?
I    That things were going your way?
J    Upset because someone criticized you?

Answer options and scoring:
yes = 1
no  = 0
Summation:
-Positive Affect Score (PAS): A+C+E+G+I
-Negative Affect Score (NAS): B+D+F+H+J
-Affect Balance Score (ABS): PAS minus NAS
Possible range: -5 to +5

Name: Bradburn's 'Affect Balance Scale' (standard version)

Classification:

A-BB-cm-mq-v-2-a

Author's label:

Psychological well-being.

Error estimates:

Reliability: Equivalence: positive affect score by negative affect score: r = -.07 (01) in 1972 r = -.09 (01) in 1973. Validity:

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Education Years schooling Need for help with emotional problems or family troubles Perceived need for treatment
Perceived need for social support Internal control expectation Inner locus of control Employed status Current employment status