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Happiness Measures

Characteristics

Code:
C-BW-c-sq-l-9-a
Focus:
Contentment: Best-Worst possible life (C-BW)
Time frame:
currently (today, these days, presently) (c)
Mode:
1 question (sq)
Scale Type:
ladder scale (l)
Scale Range:
9

Description

Self report on single question:

"Here you have  ladder of nine rungs representing different conditions of life in which a person may possibly be. The top of the ladder '9' represents the best possible condition one may think of, and the bottom '1'represents the worst possible condition. On which rung do you think you stand with regard to your personal condition?"
9  best possible
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1  worst possible

This question was followed by questions on the past (five years ago) and the future (five years from now).

Name: Cantril ladder rating (adjusted version)

List of Studies Using this Measure

Study Population N Mean
Standard Deviation
Shmotkin (1992): study IL 1982 16+ aged, general public, Israel, 1982 N = 987
Mean
= 6.450
Shmotkin (1992): study IL 1982 /1 16+ aged, general public, Israel, 1982 N = 1164
Mean
= 6.950
Shmotkin (1992): study IL 1983 16+ aged, general public, Israel, 1983 N = 1165
Mean
= 6.460
Shmotkin (1992): study IL 1984 16+ aged, general public, Israel, 1984 N = 1244
Mean
= 6.240
Shmotkin (1992): study IL 1984 /1 16+ aged, general public, Israel, 1984 N = 1180
Mean
= 6.000
Konwicka (1976): study ZZ Europe 1967 15-40 aged, 6 european countries, N = 3962
Staats et al. (1995a): study US 1989 50+aged full time employees, USA, 1989 N = 160
Mean
= 7.040
SD
= 1.280
Soumerai & Avorn (1983): study US Massachusetts 1981 60+ aged retired participants in a work program and controls,followed 6 months, USA 1981 N = 54