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Happiness Measures

Characteristics

Code:
A-AOL-cy-sq-v-10-a
Focus:
Affect: Average Overall Level (A-AOL)
Time frame:
last year (cy)
Mode:
1 question (sq)
Scale Type:
verbal scale (v)
Scale Range:
10

Description

Self report on single question:

In thinking over the past year, indicate how elated or depressed, happy or unhappy you have felt in the last year?
10  Complete elation, rapturous joy and soaring ecstasy
9    Very elated and in very high spirits. Tremendous  delight       
      and buoyancy.
8    Elated and in high spirits.
7    Feeling very good and cheerful.
6    Feeling pretty good , "OK".
5    Feeling a little bit low. Just so-so.
4    Spirits low and somewhat "blue".
3    Depressed and feeling very low. Definitely "blue".
2    Tremendously depressed.
      Feeling terrible, really miserable, "just awful".
1    Utter depression and gloom. Completely down.
      All is black and leaden. Wish it were all over.

List of Studies Using this Measure

Study Population N Mean
Standard Deviation
Harder (1969): study US 1969 Married females, USA, 196? N = 62
Mean
= 5.600
SD
= 1.100
Constantinople (1970): study US 1965 Undergraduate college students, University of Rochester, USA, followed 12 month, 1965-68 N = 581
Constantinople (1965): study US 1965 College students, University of Rochester, USA, 196? N = 952
Mean
= 5.900
Constantinople (1967): study US NewYork 1966 University students, Rochester, USA, 1966 N = 165