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Studies

Helliwell et al. (2020): study XY Somaliland 2011

Publication

Author(s):
Helliwell, J.F.; Layard, R.; Sachs, J.
Title:
World Happiness Report 2020
Source:
Helliwell, J., Layard, R., & Sachs, J. (2020). World Happiness Report 2020.

Investigation

Public
15+ aged general public, Somaliland, 2011
Survey name
INT-GallupWorldPoll2011
Sample
Probability multi-stage random
Respondents
N = 1000
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI)

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

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
Author's label:
Life ladder
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 0 - 10 On range 0-10
Mean:
4.93 4.93
SD:
1.97 1.97
Full text:
Self report on 6 questions

A  Did you smile and laugh a lot yesterday?

Did you experience the following feelings during A LOT OF THE DAY yesterday?
B  How about enjoyment?
C  How about worry?
D  How about sadness?
E  How about happiness?
F  How about anger?

Rated:
1 yes
0  no

Computation:
- Average % positive affect = (A+B+E)/3
- Average % negative affect = (C+D+F)/3
- 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.
Classification:
A-AB-yd-mq-v-2-tb
Author's label:
positive and negative affect
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range -100 - 100 On range 0-10
Mean:
62.64 8.13
SD:
- -