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Studies

Gfellner (1989): study CA 1984

Publication

Author(s):
Gfellner, B.M.
Title:
Perceptions of Health, Abilities, and Life Satisfaction among very Old Adults.
Source:
Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1989, Vol. 68, 203 -209

Investigation

Public
80+ aged, hospitalized within 2 years, Canada, 1984
Survey name
Unnamed study
Sample
Non-probability purposive sample
Respondents
N = 40
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
interview in their homes

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

Here is a picture of a ladder. Suppose we say that the top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the  bottom represents the worst possible life for you. Where on the ladder do you feel you personally stand at the present time?   
[  10  ]  best possible life
[    9  ]
[    8  ]
[    7  ]
[    6  ]
[    5  ]
[    4  ]
[    3  ]
[    2  ]
[    1  ]
[    0  ]  worst possible life
                          
                                                                                
Preceded by 1)  open questions about what the respondent imagines as the best possible life and the worst possible life. 2) ratings on the ladder of one's life five years ago and  where on the ladder one expects to stand five years from now.

Name: Cantril's self anchoring ladder rating of life (original)
Classification:
C-BW-c-sq-l-11-a
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10
Mean:
7.40 7.40
SD:
2.50 2.50

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Current Health Global health self-rating Current Functional Abilities Symptoms of bad health Expected Health Expected health Expected Functional Abilities Expected health Expected Satisfaction In the near future (up to 5 years) Current Health Conditions Number of health complaints Current Instrumental Limitations Current functional health Current Physical Limitations Current functional health Past Health Earlier physical health Past Functional Abilities Earlier physical health Past Satisfaction In recent past