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Happiness Measures

Characteristics

Code:
A-BB-cm-mq-v-6-a
Focus:
Affect: Balance (Bradburn's index) (A-BB)
Time frame:
last month, last few weeks (cm)
Mode:
multiple questions (mq)
Scale Type:
verbal scale (v)
Scale Range:
6

Description

Self report on 8 questions

A Have you been under or felt you were under any strain, stress or pressure during the past month?
B  Have you been anxious, worried, or upset during the past month?
C  Have you been feeling emotionally stable and sure of yourself, during the past month?
D  How relaxed or tense have you been during the past month?
E  How depressed or cheerful have you been, during the past month?
F  How have you been feeling in general during the past month?
G  How happy, satisfied or pleased have you been with your personal life, during the past month?
H   How much energy, pep, vitality have you felt, during the past month?

Rating: 0-5 scale with verbally labeled response options

Computation: (C+F+G+H) - (A+B+D+E)

Name: Shortened General Wellbeing Schedule (GWB)

List of Studies Using this Measure

Study Population N Mean
Standard Deviation
Costa et al. (1987a): study US 1971 25-74 aged, USA, followed 9 years, 1971-1984 N = 4942
Mean
= 3.100
Costa et al. (1987a): study US 1971 /1 25-74 aged, USA, samples in 1971-75 and 1981-84 N = 11899
Diener et al. (1993): study US 1971 25-74 aged general public, United States, 1971-1984 N = 4942
Mean
= 37.850