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Studies

Brenner (1970): study US 1960

Publication

Author(s):
Brenner, B.
Title:
Social Factors in Mental Well-Being at Adolescence.
Source:
PhD Dissertation, The American University, 1970, Washington DC, USA

Investigation

Public
Highschool pupils, New York State, USA, 1960
Sample
Respondents
N = 5204
Non Response
1%
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

On the whole, how happy would you say you are.....?
4  very happy
3  fairly happy
2  not very happy
1  very unhappy
Classification:
O-HL-u-sq-v-4-b
Author's label:
Happiness
Remarks:
35% very happy, 59% fairly happy, 6% not very happy or unhappy.
Full text:
Self report on single question:

"In general, how would you say you feel most of the time - in good spirits or in low spirits....?"
5  very good spirits
4  fairly good spirits
3  neither good spirits nor low spirits
2  fairly low spirits
1  very low spirits.
Classification:
A-AOL-g-sq-v-5-a
Author's label:
Usual mood
Remarks:
35% very happy, 59% fairly happy, 6% not happy.

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Frequency of low mood Feeling down (vs not) School social class Socio-economic level of school
'Objective' socio-economic status
Educational level of mother Parents education
'Objective' socio-economic status
Disruption of family relationships Number of parents (broken home) Numbers of children in the family Number of siblings Male sex Sexe: male (vs female) Usual mood O-HL by A-AOL Anxiety symptoms Current mental complaints Having fun in life Pleasant (vs unpleasant) Tending to be a discouraged person Hopeful (vs hopeless)
Resigned
Having faith in people Trusting
Trust in people
Hiding true feelings Defensive Self-esteem Evaluation of self-as-a-whole Stability of self- image Change in self-image Feeling as able as others to do things Relative superiority Satisfaction with oneself Satisfaction with self Extent of dating Involved in dating Tending to be a lonely person Perceived sufficiency of intimate contacts
Close (vs lonely)
Educational level of father Parents education
'Objective' socio-economic status
Income level of father's occupation Parents income
'Objective' socio-economic status
Social class Socio-economic background (earlier for adults, current for young)
'Objective' socio-economic status
Subjective social class position Subjective social rank Perceived subjective social class position in future Expected mobility Hours spent on work for pay Working of students Presenting a false self Defensive
Modest (vs supercilious)
Sensitivity to criticism Approval seeking
Self-conscious
Sensitivity to failure Fail anxious Time spent on extra-curricular activities Leisure activity level
Extra-curricular activity
Participation in extracurricular activities Leisure activity level
Extra-curricular activity
Number of extra-curricular activities taken part in Leisure activity level
Extra-curricular activity