Correlational findings | World Database of Happiness

Study Headey & Veenhoven (1989): study AU AU Victoria 1981

Public: 18-65 aged, general public, followed 6 years, Melbourne, Australia, 1981-87
Sample
Respondents: N = 649
Non Response: Attrition T1-T4: 31%
Assessment: Interview: face-to-face

Correlate

Authors's Label

Earlier happiness

Our Classification

Operationalization

Single direct question asked twice: "How do you feel about your life-as-a-whole?" Rated on a 9 point scale. 1: terrible to 9: delightful.
Happiness assessed at: T1 (1981), T2 (1983), T3 (1985), T4 (1987)

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure

Statistics

Elaboration / Remarks

O-DT-u-sqt-v-10-a

Beta-L = +.68 p < .05

Current happiness by earlier happiness:
(T4 by T3, T3 by T2, T2 by T1).

ßL is a path coefficients in a 4-wave LISREL model in which coefficients are assumed to be equal for all waves. Controls: satisfaction with marriage (T1, T2, T3 and T4), and T1 sex, age, SES, extraversion and neuroticism.

O-DT-u-sqt-v-10-a

Beta-L = +.77 p < .05

T4 happiness by T3 happiness.

ßL is a path coefficient in a two wave LISREL model. Controls: earlier net life-events (reported at T3 and T4) and T1 sex, age, SES, extraversion and neuroticism.