Distributional Findings on Happiness by measure type and by year in the general public of Australia (AU)

3-step verbal Happiness (111B)

Typical text:

In general, how happy would you say you are?:
- very happy
- fairly happy
- not very happy
very = 3...not very = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 3) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-g-sq-v-3-j 1948 2.53 0.56 O-H?-?-sq-v-3-a 1970 2.53 O-HL-g-sq-v-3-d 1975 2.31 0.58 7.39 1.57 O-HL-c-sq-v-3-aa 1984 2.26 0.56 7.38 1.45 Average 2.41 0.57 7.38 1.51

4-step verbal Happiness (111C)

Typical text:

Taking all things together, would you say you are?:
- very happy
- quite happy
- not very happy
- not at all happy
very = 4 ......not at all = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 4) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 1981 3.30 0.57 7.77 1.38 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 1995 3.37 0.62 7.88 1.53 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 2005 3.27 0.62 7.64 1.60 O-HL-c-sq-v-4-f 2007 3.22 0.64 7.10 1.77 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 2012 3.28 0.60 7.69 1.51 O-HL-u-sq-v-4-a 2018 3.15 0.63 7.36 1.67 Average 3.26 0.61 7.58 1.58

5-step verbal Happiness (111D)

Typical text:

How happy do you feel as you live now?
- very happy
- somewhat happy
- neither happy nor unhappy
- not very happy
- not happy at all
very happy = 5 .... Not happy at all = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 5) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-c-sq-v-5-e 1979 4.34 0.73 7.60 1.69 Average 4.34 0.73 7.60 1.69

7-step verbal Happiness (111F)

Typical text:

Considering your life as a whole, would you describe it as
- very unhappy
- unhappy
- mixed
- happy
- very happy
very happy = 7 .... very unhappy = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 7) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-g-sq-v-7-a 2002 5.39 0.92 7.62 1.86 Average 5.39 0.92 7.62 1.86

11-step numeral Happiness (112G)

Typical text:

Generally speaking, how happy do you feel?
10 extremely happy
:
0 extremely unhappy

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-HL-c-sq-n-11-b 2003 7.64 1.97 7.64 1.97 O-HL-c-sq-n-11-b 2005 7.32 2.01 7.32 2.01 Average 7.48 1.99 7.48 1.99

3-step verbal LifeSatisfaction (121B)

Typical text:

How satisfied are you with the way you are getting on now?
- very satisfied
- all right
- dissatisfied

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 3) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLC-c-sq-v-3-aa 1948 2.02 0.65 6.68 2.11 Average 2.02 0.65 6.68 2.12

5-step verbal LifeSatisfaction (121D)

Typical text:

Overall, how satisfied are you with your present life?
- very satisfied
- fairly satisfied
- neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
- fairly dissatisfied
- very dissatisfied
very satisfied = 5 ..... very dissatisfied = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 5) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLu-c-sq-v-5-a 1979 4.18 0.78 7.23 1.70 O-SLu-c-sq-v-5-n 2007 4.22 0.94 7.25 1.46 Average 4.20 0.86 7.24 1.58

10-step numeral LifeSatisfaction (122F)

Typical text:

All things considered, how satisfied are you with your life as-a-whole now?
10 satisfied
.: .
1 dissatisfied

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 1981 7.88 1.75 7.65 1.94 O-SLW-u-sq-n-10-b 1984 8.20 8.00 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 1995 7.55 1.87 7.28 2.08 O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-a 2005 7.28 1.81 6.98 2.01 * O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-I 2012 7.20 2.05 6.89 2.28 * O-SLW-c-sq-n-10-I 2018 7.28 1.84 6.98 2.05 Average 7.57 1.86 7.30 2.07

11-step numeral LifeSatisfaction (122G)

Typical text:

All things considered, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your life as-a-whole these days?
10 very satisfied
:
0 not satisfied

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLW-c-sq-m-11-a 1975 7.91 1.47 7.91 1.47 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2001 7.72 1.94 7.72 1.94 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2001 7.48 1.97 7.48 1.97 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2001 7.32 1.32 7.32 1.32 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2001 7.94 1.67 7.94 1.67 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2001 7.98 7.98 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2002 78.14 17.86 7.81 1.79 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2002 7.72 1.72 7.72 1.72 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2002 7.82 1.77 7.82 1.77 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2002 7.72 1.72 7.72 1.72 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2002 7.77 1.73 7.77 1.73 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2003 7.82 1.66 7.82 1.66 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2003 7.82 1.68 7.82 1.68 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2003 7.80 1.70 7.80 1.70 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2003 7.77 1.69 7.77 1.69 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2003 7.74 1.70 7.74 1.70 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-a 2004 7.90 7.90 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2004 7.74 1.70 7.74 1.70 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2004 7.77 1.68 7.77 1.68 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2004 7.91 1.64 7.91 1.64 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2005 7.68 1.82 7.68 1.82 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-ca 2005 7.75 1.64 7.75 1.64 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2005 7.90 7.90 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2006 7.64 1.75 7.64 1.75 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2006 7.73 1.68 7.73 1.68 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2007 7.76 1.71 7.76 1.71 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2007 7.91 7.91 O-SLW-c-sq-n-11-a 2008 7.88 1.62 7.88 1.62 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2008 7.91 7.91 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2008 7.70 1.70 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2009 7.88 7.88 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2009 7.70 1.72 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2010 7.85 1.65 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2011 7.94 7.94 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2011 7.80 1.61 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2012 7.93 7.93 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2012 7.71 1.64 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2013 7.95 7.95 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2013 7.70 1.68 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2014 7.90 7.90 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2014 7.79 1.55 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2015 7.91 7.91 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2015 7.74 1.65 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2016 7.90 7.90 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-cb 2016 7.73 1.62 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-d 2018 7.93 7.93 O-SLW-u-sq-n-11-k 2020 7.20 0.60 7.20 0.60 Average 9.28 2.13 7.79 1.65

8-step verbal Delighted-Terrible life (13B)

Typical text:

How do you feel about your life as a whole?
- delighted
- very pleased
- pleased
- mostly satisfied
- mixed feelings
- mostly dissatisfied
- unhappy
- terrible
delighted = 8 ..... terrible = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 8) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-DT-u-sq-v-8-b 1995 5.74 1.32 6.78 1.89 Average 5.75 1.32 6.78 1.89

11-step life-satisfaction plus imputation of missing cases (19G)

Typical text:

All things considered, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with your life as-a-whole these days?
10 very satisfied
:
0 not satisfied
Missing cases of average life-satisfaction in nations estimated on the basis of a combination of observed components of happiness in that nation:
1) Afffective component, measured using responses to multiple questions about yesterday's affective experience, from which an affect balance score was computed
2) Cognitive component, measured using responses to single question on Best-Worst possible life
Computation explained in EHERO Working Paper 2021-3 https://www.eur.nl/en/ehero/media/2021-03-ehero-workingpaper2021-3 How to complete the ranklist of happiness in nations

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2007 7.52 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2008 7.07 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2010 7.60 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2011 7.69 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2012 7.54 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2013 7.79 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2014 7.49 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2015 7.55 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2016 7.60 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2017 7.58 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2018 7.63 O-SLW-*-ds-nt-11-a 2019 7.68 Average 7.56

10-item Affect Balance Scale (Bradburn) (222)

Typical text:

During the past few weeks did you ever feel (yes/no)
- particularly excited or interested in something?
- so restless that you couldn't sit long in a chair?
- proud because someone complimented you on something you had done?
- very lonely or remote from other people?
- pleased about having accomplished something?
- bored?
- on top of the world?
- depressed?
- that things were going your way?
- upset because someone criticized you?

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-5 - 5) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-BB-cm-mq-v-2-a 1978 1.70 2.00 A-BB-cm-mq-v-2-a 1983 2.04 7.04 Average 1.87 2.00 7.04

20 item Affect Balance Scale (Watson): PANAS (223)

Typical text:

This scale consists of a number of words that describe different feelings and emotions. Read each item and then mark the appropriate answer in the space next to that word.

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-4 - 4) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-BW-g-mq-v-5-g 2003 17.45 Average 17.45

More days like yesterday (24A)

Typical text:

Do you want more days like yesterday?
- yes
- no
% yes

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AOL-yd-sq-v-2-a 2008 65.00 Average 65.00

6 item yesterday Affect Balance (24D)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday.. (yes/no)?
- enjoyment
- worry
- sadness
- anger
- depression
- did you smile and laugh a lot

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2008 60.80 8.04 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2010 61.42 8.07 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2011 62.05 8.10 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb 2012 59.63 7.98 Average 60.98 8.05

10 item Yesterday Affect Balance (24E)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday (yes/no)
- well-rested
- treated with respect
- smile and laugh a lot
- learn or do something interesting
- enjoyment
- physical pain
- worry
- sadness
- stress
- anger

Rated:
0: no
1: yes

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

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2006 50.00 7.50 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2007 53.00 7.65 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2008 49.00 7.45 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2010 56.00 7.80 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2011 52.00 7.60 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2012 51.00 7.55 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2013 58.00 7.90 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2014 46.00 7.30 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2015 51.00 7.55 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb 2016 49.00 7.45 Average 51.50 7.58

11 item Yesterday's Affect Balance (24F)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday.. (yes/no)?
- well rested
- worried
- proud
- depressed
- ...etc
Computation: % positive affect minus % negative affect

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-o 2008 52.00 Average 52.00

14-item Yesterday's Affect Balance (24G)

Typical text:

Did you feel yesterday.. (yes/no)?
- well rested
- worried
- proud
- depressed
- ...etc
Computation: % positive affect minus % negative affect

Finding Measure Code Year Original (-100 - 100) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-b 2008 51.00 Average 51.00

11-step numeral Best-Worst possible Life (32D)

Typical text:

Suppose the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder the worst possible life. Where on this ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?
- 10
- .
- .
- 0

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD C-BW-c-sq-m-11-a 1975 7.00 1.79 7.00 1.79 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2005 7.34 1.53 7.34 1.53 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2006 7.34 1.52 7.34 1.52 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2007 7.29 1.76 7.29 1.76 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2008 7.25 1.69 7.25 1.69 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2010 7.45 1.74 7.45 1.74 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2011 7.41 1.78 7.41 1.78 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2012 7.20 1.76 7.20 1.76 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2013 7.36 1.74 7.36 1.74 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2014 7.29 1.80 7.29 1.80 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2015 7.31 1.69 7.31 1.69 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2016 7.25 1.70 7.25 1.70 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2017 7.26 1.75 7.26 1.75 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2018 7.18 1.75 7.18 1.75 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2019 7.23 1.70 7.23 1.70 C-BW-c-sq-l-11-c 2020 7.14 7.14 Average 7.27 1.71 7.27 1.71

10/11-step Feel Happy (411H)

Typical text:

Where would you put your life as a whole on the feeling thermometer? (graphic scale from very cold, negative to very warm, positive)
- very warm
- .
- very cold
very warm = 100 ....very cold = 1

Finding Measure Code Year Original (0 - 10) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD M-FH-g-sq-n-11-b 2001 7.99 1.88 7.96 1.88 M-FH-g-sq-n-11-b 2003 7.87 1.49 7.87 1.49 M-FH-g-sq-n-11-b 2003 7.85 1.42 M-FH-g-sq-n-11-b 2004 7.50 1.81 7.50 1.81 M-FH-g-sq-n-11-b 2004 7.85 1.42 7.85 1.42 M-FH-g-sq-n-11-b 2004 7.50 1.81 7.50 1.81 Average 7.76 1.64 7.74 1.68

()

Typical text:

Finding Measure Code Year Original (1 - 9) Scale (0 - 10) mean SD mean SD O-DT-u-sqt-v-9-a 1981 7.60 M-AC-g-sq-n-11-a 2003 7.68 1.53 7.68 1.53 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2005 60.46 8.02 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2007 61.09 8.05 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-j 2011 0.64 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2013 64.17 8.21 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2014 52.99 7.65 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2015 58.04 7.90 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2016 55.48 7.77 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2017 55.47 7.77 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2018 57.16 7.86 A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-fb 2019 56.79 7.84 Average