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Studies

Lowenthal et al. (1975): study US 1969

Publication

Author(s):
Lowenthal, M.F.; Chiriboga, D.A.; Thurnher, M.
Title:
Four Stages of Life. A Comparative Study of Women and Men Facing Transition.
Source:
Jossey-Bass, 1975, San Francisco, USA

Investigation

Public
People in transition, metropolis,USA, 1969
Sample
Non-probability purposive sample
Respondents
N = 216
Non Response
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Lengthy interviews

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on 8 questions.

"During the past week, did you ever feel.....?"
A  very lonely
B  restless
C  bored
D  depressed
E  on top of the world
F  excited or interested
G  pleased about accomplishment
H  proud

Answer options:
1  never
2  once
3  several times
4  often

Summation:
-Positive  Affect Score (PAS): E+F+G+H
-Negative Affect Score (NAS): A+B+C+D
-Affect Balance Score (ABS): PAS-NAS+13

Name: Bradburn's Affect Balance Scale (modified version)
Classification:
A-BB-cw-mq-v-4-d
Author's label:
Affect Balance Score
Page in publication:
87
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 25 On range 0-10
Mean:
15.00 5.80
SD:
- -
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
Observed distribution
Frequencies
1: 13%,   2: 48%,   3: 39%   (total 100%)
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 3 On range 0-10
Mean:
2.30 6.30
SD:
- -
Full text:
Self report on 3 questions:

A. " Dissatisfied" and "Unhappy" responses on the Block (1961) Adjective Rating List.

B. Overall happiness. Single direct question: "Taking all things together,  how would you say things are these days?  Would you say you are .......?"
3  very happy
2  pretty happy
1  not too happy

C. Present-year score on Life-Evaluation Chart, ranging from:
1  low
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9  high
Classification:
M-AO-u-mq-*-*-c
Author's label:
Life satifaction
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 9 On range 0-10
Mean:
29.30 7.40
SD:
- -

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Stage of life Stage of life
Leaving home of children (empty nest)
Recent marriage
Involved in schooling or not
Stage of retirement
Familial roles Having grand-children
Ever had children (vs not)
Number of siblings
Development of family of procreation (family life-cycle)
Current number of roles
Occupational roles Current employment status
Current occupation
Current number of roles
Work roles
Involved in schooling or not
Total role scope Current number of roles Instrumental activities Current time-usage Expressive activities Current personal contacts
Socializing
Time spend socializing
Philosophical activities Concern about religion
Concern about own values
Concern about meaning of life
Social service activities Voluntary work
Current social support provided
Time spent on work and care
Ease-contentment activities Leisure activity
Leisure activity level
Current time-usage
Hedonistic activities Leisure activity level
Current use of stimulants
Growth activities Current time-usage
Studying
Non-goal directed activities Personal care
Household work
Activity-scope Current time-usage Self-criticism Self-critical Respondent- interviewer agreement Congruency self-image and reputation