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Studies

Perneger et al. (2004): study CH 1998

Publication

Author(s):
Perneger, T.V.; Bovier, P.A.; Hudelson, P.M.
Title:
Health and Happiness in Young Swiss Adults.
Source:
Quality of Life Research, 2004, Vol. 13, 171 - 178

Investigation

Public
University students, Switzerland, 1998.
Survey name
Unnamed study
Sample
Probability simple random sample
Respondents
N = 1257
Non Response
36%
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Mailed questionnaire

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

During the past 4 weeks.. Have you been a happy person?
5  all of the time
4  most of the time
3  some of the time
2  a little of the time
1  none of the time

Item MH5 in SF-36 (Medical Outcome Study 36 item Short Form) version 2 (5-step rating scale)
Classification:
M-TH-cm-sq-v-5-a
Author's label:
Self-perceived happiness
Remarks:
Analysis based on dichotomy 'happy' (score 5 or 4) vs. 'not happy' (score 3, 2, or 1)
63% happy
27% unhappy
Page in publication:
172-173
Observed distribution
Frequencies
1: 1.3%,   2: 9.9%,   3: 25.6%,   4: 51.9%,   5: 10.7%   (total 99.4%)
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 5 On range 0-10
Mean:
3.61 6.53
SD:
0.85 2.14

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Mental health