Hartog & Oosterbeek (1998): study NL 1952

Publication

Author(s):

Hartog, J.; Oosterbeek, H.

Title:

Health, Wealth and Happiness. Why Pursue a Higher Education?

Source:

Economics of Education Review, 1998, Vol. 17, 245 - 256

Investigation

Public

41 aged, Brabant, the Netherlands, followed 1952-1993

Sample

Probability area sample

Respondents

N = 1893

Non Response

53,6%

Assessment

Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Mailed questionnaire at T3.

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:

Self report on single question:

Think about the quality of your life at the present time.  I would like you to give a rating where 0 represents the worst possible life for you and 10 represents the best possible life for you.
0   worst possible life
1  
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10  best possible life

Classification:

C-BW-c-sq-n-11-a

Author's label:

Happiness

Page in publication:

248

Observed distribution

Frequencies

1: 0.5%,   2: 0.4%,   3: 0.8%,   4: 1.2%,   5: 2.5%,   6: 7.6%,   7: 11.8%,   8: 27.6%,   9: 33.6%,   10: 9%,   11: 5%   (total 100%)

Summary Statistics

On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10

Mean:

7.20 7.20

SD:

1.60 1.60

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Schooling variables Level of school-education
Vocational education Mathematical ability at age 12 Earlier intelligence Verbal ability at age 12 Earlier intelligence Self-perceived health Global health self-rating Labour market status Full-time home maker
Unfit for work
Unemployed involuntary
Private versus public sector
Public employment (vs private sector)
Self employed family status Number of children
Sex: male (vs female)
Married (vs never married)
Married (vs widowed)
Married (vs divorced) Social background variables Number of siblings
Parents education
Parents occupation
Earlier socio-economic status Wealth Total wealth