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Satisfaction and Happiness

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Development of Quality of Life Theory and Its Instruments

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Abstract

I review the recent literature on satisfaction and happiness, identify some plausible next steps to take at the frontiers of the research field and offer some suggestions to facilitate those steps. Using partial correlation techniques, substantial levels of covariation are found among the variables that are used in predictions of satisfaction and happiness with life as a whole from satisfaction with specific domains (e.g. family life, health). Using path analysis, confirmation is found in a dozen domains for a model which has satisfaction as a function of a perceived goal-achievement gap, and the latter as a function of comparisons with previous best experience and the status of average folks. Using discriminant analysis, satisfaction with family life is found to be a powerful and predominant discriminator among three groups, identified as Frustrated (dissatisfied and unhappy), Resigned (satisfied and unhappy) and Achievers (satisfied and happy).

Michalos, A.C.: 1980. Satisfaction and Happiness. Soclal lndicators Research, 8, pp. 385–422. 0303-8300/80/0084-0385503.80. © 1980 by D. Reidel Publishing Co., Dordrecht, Holland, and Boston, U.S.A.

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Acknowledgements

I am grateful for the help of A.M. Blanchet, L. Ferraro, R.A. Logan, S. McNeill, J. Tofflemire and the generous members of our university Staff Association who gave up their time to fill out yet another questionnaire. F.M. Andrews. O.D. Duncan, J.J. Hubert, K.C. Land, S. Swaminathan and F.W. Young gave me plenty of good advice, for which I am also grateful. Of course, I alone am responsible for this final version of the paper.

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    Alex C. Michalos

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Michalos, A.C. (2017). Satisfaction and Happiness. In: Development of Quality of Life Theory and Its Instruments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51149-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51149-8_2

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