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Studies

Biswas-Diener et al. (2012): study IN 2006

Publication

Author(s):
Biswas-Diener, R.; Diener, C.; Tay, L.
Title:
Happiness in India.
Source:
Selin, H.; Davey, G; Eds.: "Happiness Across Cultures. Views of Happiness and Quality of Life in Non-Western Cultures Across Cultures. The History of Non-Western Science 6", Springer, 2012, New York, USA, 13 - 25

Investigation

Public
15+ aged general public, India, 2006-2008
Survey name
INT-Gallup World Poll combined waves
Sample
Probability multistage stratified area sample
Respondents
N = 10296
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

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 evaluation
Page in publication:
16
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10
Mean:
5.20 -
SD:
1.77 -
Full text:
Self report on 14 questions

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday? How about..
A  enjoyment?
B  physical pain
C  worry
D  sadness
E  stress
F  anger
G  depression
H  love

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.
I    Did you feel well rested yesterday?
J   Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?
K  Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday?
L  Would you like to have more days just like yesterday?
M  Were you proud of something you did yesterday?
N   Were you treated with respect all day yesterday?

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

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+H+I+J+K+L+M+N)/8
- Average % negative affect = (B+C+D+E+F+G)/6
- Affect Balance = Average % positive affect - Average % negative affect

Transformation to range 0-10:
(Score[range-100-100] + 100)/200*10

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-b
Author's label:
Feelinf balance
Page in publication:
16
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range -100 - 100 On range 0-10
Mean:
0.46 -
SD:
0.60 -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Feeling balance