Burger & Veenhoven (2016): study GT 2006

Publication

Author(s):: Burger, M.; Veenhoven, R.
Title:: Trend in level and dispersion of happiness in nations 2006-2015’: Is there a difference between the affective and cognitive component?
Source:: EHERO working paper 2016/1

Full text:: Self report on 10 questions:

A  Did you feel well-rested yesterday?
B  Were you treated with respect yesterday?
C  Did you smile and laugh a lot yesterday
D  Did you learn or do something interesting yesterday?

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT of the day yesterday?
E  How about enjoyment?
F  How about physical pain?
G  How about worry?
H  How about sadness?
I    How about stress?
J   How about anger?

Rated:
0: no
1: yes

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+B+C+D+E)/5
- Average % negative affect = (F+G+H+I+J)/5
- 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.

Transformation to 0-10 scale: (percent abs)*0.05 + 5
Classification:: A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-mb
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics: On original range -100 - 100 On range 0-10
Mean:: 47.00 7.40
SD:: - -

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
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics: On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10
Mean:: 5.90 5.90
SD:: - -