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Studies

Michalos et al. (2007): study CA British Columbia 2005

Publication

Author(s):
Michalos, A.C.; Hatch, P.M; Hemingway, D.
Title:
Health and Quality of Life of Older People: A Replication after Six Years.
Source:
Social Indicators Research, 2007, Vol. 84, 127 - 158

Investigation

Public
Elderly, British Columbia, Canada, 2005
Sample
Non-probability accidental sample
Respondents
N = 656
Non Response
Assessment
Questionnaire: Paper & Pencil Interview (PAPI)
Replication of a similar survey in 1999

Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings

Full text:
Self report on single question:

How satisfied are you with your life as a whole these days?
7  completely satisfied
6  quite satisfied
5  somewhat satisfied
4  neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
3  somewhat dissatisfied
2  quite dissatisfied
1  completely dissatisfied
Classification:
O-SLW-c-sq-v-7-g
Author's label:
Satisfaction with Life as a whole (SWB)
Page in publication:
133
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 7 On range 0-10
Mean:
5.60 -
SD:
- -
Full text:
Self report on single question:

Here are some features of people’s lives affecting them today.  Please indicate how satisfied you are with each of them....
How satisfied are you with your overall quality of life?
1  very dissatisfied
2  somewhat dissatisfied
3  a little dissatisfied
4  about evenly balanced
5  a little satisfied
6  somewhat satisfied
7  very satisfied
Classification:
O-SQL-c-sq-v-7-b
Author's label:
Satisf. With the overall quality of life
Page in publication:
133, 145
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 7 On range 0-10
Mean:
5.60 -
SD:
- -
Full text:
Self report on single question:

Considering your life as a whole, how happy would you say you are?
1  very unhappy
2  somewhat unhappy
3  a little unhappy
4  evenly balanced
5  a little happy
6  somewhat happy
7  very happy
Classification:
O-HL-u-sq-v-7-f
Author's label:
Happiness with life as a whole.
Page in publication:
133,144
Observed distribution
Summary Statistics
On original range 1 - 7 On range 0-10
Mean:
5.60 -
SD:
- -
Full text:
Self report on five questions:

A  I am very content with my life
B  I am living my life to the fullest
C  Nothing is currently lacking in my life
D  When I examine my life as a whole, I feel I am not meeting my aspirations*
E  I feel dissatisfied because I'm not doing everything that I want to be doing in my life*

Rating:
1  strongly disagree
.
.
7  strongly agree
* reversed keyed item

Name: Contentment with life assessment Scale (CLAS)
Classification:
C-Sum-u-mq-n-7-b
Author's label:
Contentmen with Life Assessment Scale
Page in publication:
148
Error estimates:
Cronbach alpha .86
Full text:
Self report on single question:

Considering your life as a whole, how does it measure up to your general aspirations or what you want out of life/, Generally does life provide of what you want
1  nothing
2
3
4  half
5
6
7  all
Classification:
C-W-g-sq-v-7-a

Correlational Findings

Author's label Subject Description Finding Mental health Scores on symptom inventories
Feeling cheerful (vs gloomy)
Hedonic tone in affect Social SupportIndex Current intimate relationships
Sources of current support Satisfaction with family Satisfaction with family Satisfaction with living partner Satisfaction with marriage Satisfaction with friendships Satisfaction with friends Satisfaction with romantic relationships Satisfaction with friends Satisfaction with feeling part of community Current anomy
Attitude to vicinity Index of Troubles Attitudes to local environment
Specific worries
Attitudes to amenities in vicinity Crime-Related Worries index Specific worries Difficulty meeting housing costs Concern about housing
Cost of housing Percentage of income spent on housing cost Cost of housing Satisfaction with housing Satisfaction with housing
Build environment Satisfaction with neighbourhood Satisfaction with local environment Satisfaction with health Satisfaction with health Satisfcation with financial security Satisfaction with income\finances Satisfaction with recreation Satisfaction with leisure Satisfaction wth self-esteem Satisfaction with self
Attitudes to own self-image Satisfaction with government officials Attitudes to government accomplishments Satisfaction with sense of meaning of life Satisfaction with meaning of life Satisfaction with achievements in life Successful (vs failure)
Perceived realization of life-goals Satisfaction with future security Specific personal hopes
Orientation on the future Gender Sex: male (vs female) Change average happiness Sex: male (vs female)
Past happiness ( 1 to 10 years ago) Aspirarion achievement discrepancies Overall happiness and contentment
Comparative appraisals of life-as-a-whole
Perceived realization of life-goal set