Mussen et al. (1980): study US 1928
Publication
- Author(s):
- Mussen, P.H.; Bieber, S.L.; Eichorn, D.H.; Honzik, M.P.; Meredith, W.M.
- Title:
- Continuity and Change in Womens Characteristics over Four Decades.
- Source:
- International Journal of Behavioral Development, 1980, Vol. 3, 333 - 347
Investigation
- Public:
- Mothers, followed from age 30 to 70, Berkeley USA, 1928-68
- Sample:
- Respondents:
- N = 53
- Non Response:
- Assessment:
-
Multiple methods
Observation and interviews at age 30 and age 70
Happiness Measure(s) and Distributional Findings
- Full text:
-
Selfreport in focused interview
Rating two independent interviewers.
A. Psychiatric social worker who interviewed parents at home. Interview focused on child
B. Clinical psychologist who interviewed parents separately. Interview focused on family life.
Rating options:
7 extremely cheerful, animated, jolly
6
5
4 usually good-humored air
3
2
1 dejected, melancholic appearance, in the dumps
Summation: average ratings A and B - Classification:
- A-CP-g-fi-v-7-a
- Author's label:
- Cheerfulness
- Error estimates:
- Reliability: Equivalence: interrater agreement at T1: r = +.59 . Retest after 40 years r = +.28 (p<05). Validity:
- Full text:
-
Selfreport in focused interview
Two independent interviews. Each interviewer rated `satisfaction with lot' on the same scale.
1 tremendously satisfied
2
3
4 average
5
6
7 extremely dissatisfied - Classification:
- O-SLC-g-fi-v-7-b
- Author's label:
- Satisfaction with lot
- Remarks:
- T1: (Age 30) Ms = 3.0 Ms' = 7.0 SD = 1.2
T2: (Age 70) Ms = 2.6 Ms' = 7.4 SD = 1.3 - Error estimates:
- Reliability: Equivalence: interrater agreement at T1: r = +.60 . Retest after 40 years r = +.15 ns. Validity:
Correlational Findings
Self-confidant
Earlier worries
Amount of worrying
Later tenseness
Vigorous
Open
Later openness
Later cleverness
Attitudes to one's own children
Involvement of parents
Capacities of parents
Clever
Parents characteristics
Personality of parents
Interested