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Studies

DeJong et al. (1984): study US 1947

Publication

Author(s):
DeJong, G.F.; Cornwell, G.T.; Hanson, S.L.; Stokes-Shannon, C.
Title:
Childless and One Child, but Not by Choice: A Note on Some Long-Term Consequences for Life Satisfaction of Rural-Reared Married Women.
Source:
Rural Sociology, 1984, Vol. 49, 441 - 451

Investigation

Public
Rural-reared married women, Pennsylvania, USA, followed 1947-1971
Sample
Non-probability purposive sample
Respondents
N = 812
Non Response
19,7%
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
1947: Self administered questionnaires among 2806 sophomores (including 1492 females) held in 74 primary rural high schools concerning a range of family background and personal attributes; 1957: interviews as the study group was in their mid 20s including life course items such as number of children born and fertility expectations; 1971: follow-up interviews as the study group was approximately 40 years of age including items such as life satisfaction and completed fertility.

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

Taken all together, how would you say things are these days?   Would you say that you are....?
3  very happy
2  pretty happy
1  not too happy
Classification:
O-HL-c-sq-v-3-aa
Author's label:
Overall Happiness
Page in publication:
443
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 3 On range 0-10
Mean:
245.00 -
SD:
- -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Fertility status Childlessness voluntary or not
Current parental status
Number of children as planned
Actual realization of lifegoals
Development of planning