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Structure of Well-Being

Author

Listed:
  • Ronald S. Burt

    (University of California, Berkeley)

  • James A. Wiley

    (Human Population Laboratory, California State Department of Health)

  • Michael J. Minor

    (National Opinion Research Center)

  • James R. Murray

    (National Opinion Research Center)

Abstract

A third aspect of individual well-being within a society is analyzed in terms of twelve sequential national probability surveys of individual well-being in the United States from April 1973 through May 1974. This third aspect, in contrast to (1) absolute levels of well-being and (2) feelings of power over individual well-being (i.e., anomie, alienation, and soon), concerns the cultural framework of interrelated dimensions, here discussed as the "structure of well-being," in terms of which individuals evaluate well-being within a society. Alternative structures of well-being for the United States are drawn from existing research and examined for adequacy in describing covariation among twelve indicators of satisfaction with various aspects of life activities. A structure composed of four dimensions; positive affect, negative affect, satisfaction with domains, and general satisfaction, is found to be most adequate of the alternatives. The expected relative stability of the structure of well-being over the twelve sequential national surveys is demonstrated. Implications of the analysis for the study of individual well-being are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald S. Burt & James A. Wiley & Michael J. Minor & James R. Murray, 1978. "Structure of Well-Being," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 6(3), pages 365-407, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:6:y:1978:i:3:p:365-407
    DOI: 10.1177/004912417800600305
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Frank Andrews, 1974. "Social indicators of perceived life quality," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 1(3), pages 279-299, December.
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    3. William J. Baumol, 1974. "An Overview of the Results on Consumption, Health, and Social Behavior," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 9(2), pages 253-264.
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