Study Helliwell et al. (2020): study GB 2005

Public

15+ aged general public, United Kingdom, 2005

Survey name

INT-GallupWorldPoll2005

Sample

Probability multi-stage random

Respondents

N = 1000

Non Response

Assessment

Interview: Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI)

Happiness measure(s)

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:

life ladder

Observed distribution

Summary Statistics

On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10

Mean:

6.98 6.98

SD:

1.64 1.64

Full text:

Self report on 5 questions

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday?
How about..
A  enjoyment?
B  worry
C  sadness
D  anger

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.
E   Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?

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

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+E)/2
- Average % negative affect = (B+C+D)/3
- Affect Balance = Average % positive affect - Average % negative affect


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-fb

Author's label:

positive and negative affect

Observed distribution

Summary Statistics

On original range -100 - 100 On range 0-10

Mean:

60.23 8.01

SD:

- -