Frank M. Andrews
Stability and change in levels and structure of subjective well-being: USA 1972 and 1988
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
long recognized needs known dynamic behavior measures subjective wellbeing social indicators movement matures becomes possible explore issues stability change measures perceived life quality contribute research need paper reports results administering similar measures subjective wellbeing several representative samples adult american population assessed 16 years apart 1972 1988 results show united states experienced reasonably continuous economic prosperity major social disruptions 16 years thestructure subjective wellbeing measures ie relate one another concernlevel measures predict globallevel measures remained remarkably constant accord expectation enhances confidence validity usefulness measures changes found thelevels measures total population feelings lifeasawhole oneself ones health became notably positive evaluations income national government also gained assessments ones family life social relationships community job remained fairly stable gross changes general throughout population others occurred certain age racial socioeconomic groups younger cohorts people higher educations incomes showed gains subjective wellbeing groups