print

Studies

Adams (1997): study US 1980

Publication

Author(s):
Adams, V.H.
Title:
A Paradox in African American Quality of Life.
Source:
Social Indicators Research, 1997, Vol. 42, 205 - 219

Investigation

Public
Black Americans, USA, followed from 1980 to 1992
Sample
Probability stratified sample
Respondents
N = 623
Non Response
T1: 32%; T2: 19%; T3: 17%; T4:17%
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
T1: face to face interviews; T2,T3,T4: telephone interviews

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

In general, how satisfied are you with your life these days....?"
4  very satisfied
3  somewhat satisfied
2  somewhat dissatisfied
1  very dissatisfied
Classification:
O-SLu-c-sq-v-4-b
Author's label:
General Life Satisfaction
Remarks:
The Mean is the weighted mean of the means of all 4 waves.
Page in publication:
210,215
Error estimates:
Overtime correlation: T1-T2 r=+.36; T1-T3: r=+.33; T1-T4: r=+.33
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 4 On range 0-10
Mean:
3.18 7.26
SD:
0.75 2.50
Full text:
Self report on single question:

How happy are you these days?

Response options not reported
Classification:
O-HL-c-sq-v-*-a
Author's label:
happiness
Remarks:
The mean is the weighted mean of all 4 waves.
Because neither the range, nor the start value of the range was given, the transformed value cannot be calculated. Given the M however it is plausible that it is a 3 point range 1-3; or a 4 point range 0-3 or 1-4
In the first case the transformed value on the range 0-10 is:5,5 in the second case it is 7,0 or 3.67
Comparison with the General Life Satisfaction item makes the transformed value of 7.0 the most probable
Page in publication:
214,215
Error estimates:
Overtime correlation: T1-T2: r=+.34; T1-T3: r=+.24; T1-T4: r=+.29
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 0 - 0 On range 0-10
Mean:
2.10 -
SD:
0.63 -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Happiness O-HL by O-SL Change over time Ethnic status in the USA
Actual changes in happiness
Trend average happiness in special publics
Panel drop out Non response, refusal Stability over time Past happiness ( 1 to 10 years ago)