We Are Happier than We Realize: Underestimation and Conflation in Measuring Happiness

Husser, Jason A.; Fernandez, Kenneth E.

doi:10.1007/s10902-016-9831-0

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Happiness is part of the lives of people, before this indicator, it is inferred that life satisfaction is associated with perception from a positive relational approach. Because individuals perceive a stable economic situation and with expectations of improvement, greater protection from the political environment and less representative influence by socio-demographic factors, it is then possible to affirm that the data referring to sex, marital status among others that make up the profile of the sample studied, are not determinants of happiness at the same level as the perception of economic improvement and political stability and (Ngamaba and Soni 2017;Botha and Booysen 2014;Peterson et al 2013;Proctor et al 2010;Marinić and Brkljačić 2008), but it is presumed that these findings suggest that individuals who are satisfied with their life are happier as expected (Peiró 2006;Veenhoven 2012;Ravina-Ripoll et al 2017;Husser and Fernández 2018;Gamble and Gärling 2012;Ahumada-Tello 2017).…”

Section: H4 Happiness Influences Life Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Happiness is part of life satisfaction, the elements that build a greater perception on happiness, often also cause an increase in the latter. It is necessary that at the organizational level, strategic changes are carried out in the development of plans that improve the motivation of the members of a social, labor or educational group so that, in turn, this sense of improvement in the quality of life is a an approach that improves the economic, political and social conditions of the members of the community (Peiró 2006;Veenhoven 2012;Ravina-Ripoll et al 2017Husser and Fernández 2018;Ahumada-Tello 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These investigations try to deepen the knowledge on this construct from statistical analysis of variables defined as personal, economic and social nature that act as potential predictors to the relationship between life satisfaction and happiness. So, it is not surprising, that many of the findings obtained in recent years suggest that individuals who are happier are satisfied with their lives (Peiró 2006;Veenhoven 2012;Ravina-Ripoll et al 2017;Husser and Fernández 2018;Gamble and Gärling 2012;Ahumada-Tello 2017).…”

Section: H4mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Happiness perception in Spain, a SEM approach to evidence from the sociological research center

2019

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In the current study, we examined the relationship between perceived person happiness and factors that influence this perception, also, is inferred that life satisfaction is influence by happiness. Among 2494 Spaniards individuals of both sexes, we found that these individuals valued political situation, economic situation and socio-demographic characteristics to have a strong association in that order, with happiness and that this last construct is a fundamental factor to life satisfaction. The importance of perception is validated using a structural equation model that evaluates relationships and validity on the constructs in question. Collinearity statistics, average variance extracted, and an estimated partial least square regression model are evaluated to confirm independent meaning, correct construct measure and endogenous variable explanation by the predictive constructs. Results indicate that the level of happiness in Spaniards is most influenced by political perception. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, and it is proposed to continue this study in a non-developed country.

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Section: H4 Happiness Influences Life Satisfactionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: H4mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Happiness perception in Spain, a SEM approach to evidence from the sociological research center

2019

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“…The biggest limitation that this study faces is the comprehensibility of its measures. Previous studies (Husser & Fernandez, 2018) have evaluated the utilization of single-item measures to capture scores in subjective happiness, with the results showing that such items underestimate actual scores, are more subject to priming, and can influence participants' responses. Further, because of the sheer scope that the World Values Survey engages in terms of data collection, it is difficult to incorporate longer, more reliable and comprehensive measures.…”

Section: Limitations and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal safety and positive life outcomes: Cross-national evidence from the World Values Survey.

Syropoulos¹

2020

Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology

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Safety is a prerequisite for living a fulfilling and happy life. It is also an integral component of positive and negative peace and a basic foundation of social justice. However, personal safety has been understudied in psychological literature, as has its role as an antecedent of well-being and social justice. To address this, the current study provided evidence for the association of personal safety with positive life outcomes. Analyses were conducted using data from 59 countries via the World Values Survey. After controlling for subjective socioeconomic status, significant positive associations were observed between personal safety and increased: (H1) self-flourishment, operationally defined as subjective happiness, satisfaction with life, and subjective health; (H2) perceived freedom in one’s life; (H3) perceived fairness in one’s life; (H4) active membership within a local community; and (H5) increased trust in others. An examination of the effect of victimization as a stressor of personal safety was also conducted, with personal victimization (H6), and the victimization of a family member (H7), both acting as stressors of personal safety in most of the countries. Replication rates among the 59 countries were higher for hypotheses H1 and H6–H7. Replication rates for hypotheses H2–H5 were also observed but toq a lower degree, with higher percentages observed in western and English-speaking countries. Personal safety is a crucial component of our society, worthy of further and more comprehensive investigations.

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“…It has been shown in the literature that the wording of the self-assessment question on life satisfaction matters and should be properly investigated. For example, Husser and Fernandez (2018) show that the question "Taken all together, how would you say things are these dayswould you say that you are very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy?" underestimates the level of happiness with one's life because the measure is more likely to reflect satisfaction with the state of the world rather than personal life.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Satisfaction among Different Groups of Children: Self-Reports, Differential Scale Usage and Anchoring Vignettes

Voňková

2019

Child Ind Res

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The valid measurement of children's life satisfaction is key for subsequent analysis and policy recommendations. It has been demonstrated that individuals use different scales in (self-)reports which leads to misleading results. In this study we focus on the analysis of life satisfaction self-reports among children with differences in the following characteristics: family, school, and free-time activities. Using the anchoring vignette method, we analyze differences in response scale usage among the groups and the impact of these differences on the comparison of life satisfaction among the groups. Our sample (N = 3737) is a representative sample of 5th graders (11 year-olds) in the Czech Republic. After adjustment for differential scale usage, children's life satisfaction is significantly positively related to being female, having a father at home, having good school grades, spending time with friends and the level of education they expect to attain. It is significantly negatively linked to preparing for hard admission exams and time spent playing computer games. The adjustment for response scale differences substantially changes the comparison of different groups. The most significant change is for genderafter correction girls' life satisfaction is significantly higher while before correction it is the opposite. Before adjustment the differences between some groups are underestimatedchildren with excellent grades, living with their father and spending at least some time with friends have a higher level of life satisfaction after adjustment in comparison to other children. We recommend examining the differences in scale usage among different cultures, countries and groups in children's life satisfaction research.

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We Are Happier than We Realize: Underestimation and Conflation in Measuring Happiness

Cited by 8 publications

References 64 publications

Happiness perception in Spain, a SEM approach to evidence from the sociological research center

Happiness perception in Spain, a SEM approach to evidence from the sociological research center

Personal safety and positive life outcomes: Cross-national evidence from the World Values Survey.

Life Satisfaction among Different Groups of Children: Self-Reports, Differential Scale Usage and Anchoring Vignettes

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