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Studies

Meredith (1984): study US 1982

Publication

Author(s):
Meredith, W.H.
Title:
Level and Correlates of Perceived Quality of Life for Lao Hmong Refugees in Nebraska.
Source:
Social Indicators Research, 1984, Vol. 14, 83 - 97

Investigation

Public
16+ aged, recent refugees from Laos, USA, 1982
Sample
Respondents
N = 145
Non Response
0%
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Questionnaire filled out anonimously in presence of interviewer

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question, asked twice in interview:

How do you feel about your life as a whole......?
7  delighted
6  pleased
5  mostly satisfied
4  mixed
3  mostly dissatisfied
2  unhappy
1  terrible

Summation: arithmetic mean

Name: Andrews & Withey's "Delighted-Terrible Scale" (original version)
Also known as Lehman's 'Global life satisfaction'
Classification:
O-DT-u-sqt-v-7-a
Author's label:
Perceived global quality of life
Error estimates:
Reliability: 97% of the respondents gave the same answer on the two identical questions
Observed distribution
Frequencies
1: 4.1%,   2: 8.2%,   3: 6.3%,   4: 14.5%,   5: 20.7%,   6: 31%,   7: 15.2%   (total 100%)
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 7 On range 0-10
Mean:
4.93 6.17
SD:
1.65 -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Satisfaction with self Satisfaction with self Optimism Hopes for the nation Satisfaction with leisure Satisfaction with leisure Perceived control Inner locus of control English ability Adjustment to new country of settlement Satisfaction with friendships Satisfaction with friends Satisfaction with health Satisfaction with health Satisfaction with USA Satisfaction with life in general in nation Satisfaction with standard of living Satisfaction with standard of living Satisfaction with work Satisfaction with work-as-a-whole Satisfaction with housing Satisfaction with housing
Build environment
Satisfaction with family life Satisfaction with family of relatives Satisfaction with neigbourhood Attitude to neighborhood Joint effects Summed life-appraisals + personality