Erasmus University Rotterdam, Social Sciences,
Department of Sociology
HAPPINESS RESEARCH PROGRAM 2012
2) WORLD DATABASE OF HAPPINESS
3) HAPPINESS AND PUBLIC CHOICE
| Description | Conceptual analysis |
| Output 2011 | Paper Qualities of life and happiness (in Dutch)
|
| Planning 2012 | Lemma's in Encyclopedia of Quality of Life (Springer Press) |
| People | Veenhoven |
| Description | Review of theories about happiness: mental process, functions, determinants and consequences. Assesment of fit with the available data |
| Output 2011 | Paper on cognition and affect across nations accepted (Veenhoven) |
| Planning 2012 | Revision of paper: 'Sociology's Blind Eye for Happiness' |
| Chapter on theories for Handbook of Happiness | |
| People | Veenhoven |
| Description | Techniques for measuring subjective enjoyment of life |
| Output 2011 | Paper on DRM application 'Yesterday's Diary' in HOVO-effect study: Finding the key to happy aging, by Bakker, Oerlemans and Veenhoven
|
| Revision measure of Inequality Adjusted Happiness (IAH) in Nations (Kalmijn, Veenhoven; submitted) |
|
| Paper on recall bias in responses to questions about mood among adolescents, using the GeluksWijzer technique (Tadic, Bakker, Oerlemans, Veenhoven: submitted) | |
| Comments on paper by Delhey about measurement of inequality of happiness in nations accepted (Kalmijn, Veenhoven) | |
| Planning 2012 | Continuation of Happiness Scale Interval Study (see below) |
| People | Kalmijn, Oerlemans, Tadic, Veenhoven |
| Description | Improving the comparability of responses to differently worded questions in
different languages using Thurstone transformation technique. Students in different countries rate the happiness intensity of response options to commonly used questions on happiness. The resulting values are entered in the item bank and will allow automatic computation of transformed scores. Click here for detail. |
| Output 2011 | Paper Happiness scale interval study: methodological considerations Published in SIR (Kalmijn, Arends, Veenhoven) |
| Data on ratings of questions in Dutch entered in collection Measures of Happiness | |
| Planning 2012 | More studies in Danish, English, Icelandic, Farsi (Iran), Norvegian, Polish and Spanish (Vargas)
|
| Analysis of the results in Dutch (De Jonge) | |
| Analysis of the results in Spanish (Vargas) | |
| Paper on all languages (De Jonge, Kalmijn, Veenhoven) | |
| Analysis of first 17 studies (Kalmijn, Veenhoven) | |
| People | De Jonge, Hermus, Kalmijn, Mulder, Vargas, Veenhoven |
| Description | Synthesis of research findings on happiness, using data available in the World Database of Happiness |
| Output 2011 | Analysis correlations happiness and education (Van de Vooren)
|
| Analysis male/female differences in conditions for happiness (Meijer) | |
| Analysis correlations happiness and illness (Van der Poel, Van Kooten) | |
| Paper on WDH as a tool for research synthesis (Veenhoven, published) | |
| Planning 2012 | Publication paper on happiness and IQ (Veenhoven & Choi, accepted) |
| Publication papers on happiness and... . education (Van der Vooren, Veenhoven) . illness (Van der Poel, Van Kooten, Veenhoven) . male/female differences (Meijer, Veenhoven) |
|
| Start Springer Handbook of Happiness that will involve research synthesis | |
| People | Meijer, Van der Poel, Van de Vooren, Van Kooten, Veenhoven |
| Description | Review studies |
| Output 2011 | Reviews by Veenhoven in: |
Lemma's for Encyclopedia of QOL (Springer) by Chekola, Kalmijn, Ott and Veenhoven |
|
Bookreviews by Ott
|
|
| Planning 2012 | Start Handbook of Happiness (Springer) |
| Start edited volume on 'Happiness across Cultures' (Springer) | |
| Publication contributions to Encyclodepia of Quality of Life (Springer) | |
| People | Ott, Veenhoven |
Collection of empirical research findings on happiness, meant to facilitate research synthesis. Serves as the basis for several projects in this program. Click here to go to the website.
Visits: Since its start in 1999, the database was visited 979.821 times by 1-1-2012. About 20% of the visitors used the site more than once. Visits to specific collections in 2011: Bibliography of happiness: 446, Measures of happiness: 511, Happiness in nations: 4.190, Happiness in publics: 298, Correlational findings: 1.256, States of Nations: 175, Trends in Nations: 152
Citations: Hits in Google Scholar: 1.260 (advanced search on full name)
The database involves the following collections:
| Description | Collection of publications on happiness in the sense of subjective enjoyment of life Involves detailed subject classification. Contains currently 6.096 publications. Click here to go to the webpage. Linked to the Directory of Investigators Also linked to the collections of Distributional Findings and Correlational Findings |
| Output 2011 | 654 new publications entered
Entering simplified |
| Planning 2012 | Entering all publications up to 2010 |
| People | Boelhouwer, Blok, Chekola, Den Buitelaar, Mulder, Radema, Richters, Veenhoven, Zuidgeest |
| Description | Collection of acceptable measures of happiness Mainly survey questions. Classified by conceptual focus, timeframe, method of assessment and rating scale. Links to studies that used these measures. Click here to view the website Contains currently 1.398 measures that passed a test for face-validity, of which 601 in other languages than English |
| Output 2011 | 99 new measures entered |
| ?? texts in original languages entered | |
| Continuation of Happiness Scale Interval Study | |
| Planning 2012 | Entering about 50 new measures |
| Revision of "Thurstone values" used for transformation means to range 0-10 (values assessed in the International Happiness Scale Interval Study) | |
| People | Kalmijn, Mulder, Vargas, Veenhoven |
| Description | Happiness in nations Presents responses on acceptable questions on happiness in surveys of the general population in nations.The collection can be searched on type of measure, time and nation Contains currently 3.933 findings from 158 nations 1942-2011 |
| Output 2011 | 789 new findings entered |
| Planning 2012 | Completion up to 2010
|
| Implementing "Thurstone values" obtained from Happiness Scale Interval Study | |
| People | Elia, Radema, Veenhoven, Wartena |
| Description | Happiness in regions Presents responses on acceptable questions on happiness in regions. The collection can be searched on happiness measure, time and nation. Contains currently some 3.000 findings in ?? regions |
| Output 2011 | Some 2.750 new findings entered |
| Planning 2012 | Entering about 500 more findings
|
| People | Wartena |
| Description | Happiness in publics Presents responses on acceptable questions on happiness in 196 specific publics, such as aged people. Contains currently 2.688 findings in 1.319 studies |
| Output 2011 | 133 new findings entered |
| Planning 2012 | Analysis of happiness in children (ChinHonFoei) |
| People | ChinHonFoei, Veenhoven |
| Description | Collection of correlational findings on happiness Research findings are presented in mini-abstracts using standardized terminology. Abstracts can be searched on subject, happiness measure, time, nation and public. Click here to go to the website. Contains now 14.089 findings from 1.414 studies |
| Output 2011 | Entered 105 new studies involving 2.067 findings |
| Start Paid Entry (Hobbelt, Van den Berg ) | |
| Planning 2012 | Entering about 250 more studies. Priority for eldest. Final goal to include all studies up to 2000
|
| Finalizing instruction for excerpters | |
| Update keywords | |
| People | Blokzijl, Den Buitelaar, Hobbelt, Huijsmans, Mieras, Ott, Van den Berg, Van de Vooren-Koopman, Van der Poel, Van Hecke, Veenhoven, Van der Vlugt, Zijlmans |
| Description | SPSS data file of nation variables Involves data on happiness in nations derived from the above collections and further characteristics of nations taken from international statistics and surveys. Meant to facilitate cross-national research on happiness. Click here to go to the website. The data file is free available on request. Contains currently 158 nations |
| Output 2011 | 2 new nations and some
some 10 variables added |
| 107 copies provided on request | |
| Planning 2012 | Integration with SDI? |
| People | Elia, Veenhoven, Wartena, Wildschut |
| Description | SPSS data file of trend data in nations Distribution of happiness in nations by year and time series of background variables drawn from international statistics. Intended to facilitate analysis of trends of happiness in nations. Click here to go to the website. The data file is free available on request. Contains currently time series of 30 years and more in 12 nations |
| Output 2011 | Update to 2010 |
| Planning 2012 | Update to 2012 |
| People | ChinHonFoei, Veenhoven |
| Description | Improvement of database system and website |
| Output 2011 | 'Cleaning' of Access databases |
| Various improvements of website | |
| Planning 2012 | Integration of 3 Access databases, upload to SQL |
| Data entry through the web | |
| People | Radema, Veenhoven, Op de Coul (UB) |
| Description | Names of investigators on happiness Part of the Bibliography of Happiness and links to publications. Contains currently 9.912 names and about 5.000 recent addresses. Available on request for scientific purposes. Click here to go to this webpage. |
| Output 2011 | 695 new names and e-mail adresses entered |
| Planning 2012 | Entering about 500 new names |
| Promotion mailing to active authors | |
| People | Boelhouwer, Blok, Den Buitelaar, Ott |
What policies will create the greatest happiness for the greatest number?
The goal of this sub-program is to generate evidence-based knowledge for policy makers who aim at maximizing the level of happiness, while minimizing the difference in happiness among citizens.
| Question | How can we create greater happiness for a greater number? Feasibility of political utilitarianism |
| Output 2011 | Promotion Ad Bergsma |
Papers by Veenhoven |
|
| Planning 2012 | Promotion Jan Ott |
| Paper on happiness and welfare state (on basis of thesis Julia Propp) | |
| Paper on happiness and mental health care (on basis of thesis Touburg) | |
| People | Ott, Veenhoven |
| Question | Is life getting better or worse? Are we on the right track? |
| Output 2011 | Paper 'Happiness and modernity' revised and submitted (Veenhoven/Berg) |
| Automatic update and presentation of time graphs on website | |
| Planning 2012 | Paper 'Winners and losers of post-modernity' (Veenhoven with Boelsums) |
| Publication paper 'Why are the Danes happier than the Dutch?' | |
| People | Blokzijl, Veenhoven |
| Question | What determines dispersion of happiness in nations? |
| Output 2011 | Paper revision IAH (Kalmijn), update IAH |
| Paper discussion with Delhey | |
| Planning 2012 | Continuation of discussion |
| People | Kalmijn, Veenhoven |
| Question | Does women's emancipation add to their happiness? |
| Output 2011 | - |
| Planning 2012 | Revision of paper on gender differences in happiness around the world (Blokzijl) |
| Paper 'Happiness of working mothers: a research synthesis' (ChinHonFoei) | |
| People | ChinHonFoei, Veenhoven |
| Question | How can health-care add to happiness? How can happiness add to public health? |
| Output 2011 | Promotion Bergsma |
| Papers with Bergsma published - happiness of people with a mental disorder - value of |
|
| Planning 2012 | Article 'Mental health care and happiness in nations' (Veenhoven/Touburg) |
| People | Bergsma, Blokzijl, Touburg, Veenhoven |
| Question | Do local conditions affect happiness? If so, how? |
| Output 2011 | none |
| Planning 2012 | Publication updated 'Happiness in Rotterdam' (Ouweneel) |
| People | Ouweneel, Veenhoven |
| Question | What education creates the greatest happiness? |
| Output 2011 | Research synthesis 'Happiness and Education' (Van de Vooren) |
| Datagathering 'Happiness in elementary schools' (Van Vaalen) | |
Revision and submission paper Happiness and IQ (Veenhoven/Choi) |
|
| Revision paper Happiness lessons | |
| Planning 2012 | Publication paper 'Happiness and education' |
| People | Van de Vooren, Van Vaalen, Veenhoven |
| Question | What life-styles yield most happiness for what people? Focus on time use |
| Output 2011 | Publication article Finding the key to happy aging (Oerlemans, Bakker, Veenhoven) |
| Publication papers by Nawijn - The effect of leisure activities on life-satisfaction | |
| Planning 2012 | Final report on DRM follow-up study among senior students |
| Promotion Nawijn | |
| Analysis data on time use in GeluksWijzer (Oerlemans) | |
| People | Bakker (PSY), Hermus (RISBO), Nawijn, Oerlemans (PSY), Tadic (guest), Van Herpen (RISBO), Veenhoven |
| Question | What ways of life yield most happiness for what people? Focus on major choices such as having children, emigration and early retirement |
| Output 2011 | Continuation of GeluksWijzer |
| Master theses (3) on happiness and occupation, using Wage Indicator | |
| Planning 2012 | Analysis of GeluksWijzer data (Oerlemans) |
| Master thesis on happiness and early retirement (Bouissaghouane) | |
| Master thesis of happiness of working mothers (Geerds) | |
| People | Bakker (PSY), Hermus (RISBO), Oerlemans (RISBO), Veenhoven |
| Question | Does Olympic success add to happiness? Does participation in the Olympic games add to happiness? Only for winners? How long do effects last? Do the effects differ across Olympics and Paralympics? |
| Planning 2012 | Data gathering among sporters selected for the 2012 Olympic games on London using short internet questionnaire: before (May 2012) and right after the games (July 2012). Start recruiting sporters selected for the Paralympics in 2013 |
| Planning 2013 | Last assesment of happiness of London 2012 participants in October 2013. Feedback to participants. Publication of results. |
| People | Hermus (RISBO), Veenhoven, Vis |
| Name | Job | Status | fte |
| Ad Bergsma (dr.) | research synthesis | senior researcher | 0,2 |
| Anneke Blok | documentalist | volunteer | 0,1 |
| Cunie Boelhouwer | documentation | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Carla den Buitelaar | office management | volunteer | 0,4 |
| Sasqia Blokzijl-ChinHonFoei (drs.) | data entry, data analysis | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Mark Chekola (emeritus professor) | bibliography, philosophy section | volunteer | 0,1 |
| Armand Elia | data entry distributional findings | volunteer | 0,1 |
| Ineke Huijsmans (drs.) | data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,1 |
| Wim Kalmijn (dr. ir.) | methodology, statistics | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Hans Mieras (ir.) | data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Joop Mulder | text processing | volunteer | 0,6 |
| Jan Ott (mr. dr.) | data analysis, data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,4 |
| Fredrik Radema (ir.) | IT | volunteer | 0,6 |
| Jos Richters | documentation | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Peter Schouten (BA E) | documentation | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Jan van de Vooren (dr. ir.) | data analysis | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Janna van de Vooren-Koopman | data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,2 |
| George van der Poel (dr. MD) | data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Treze van Hecke (mr. drs.) | data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Pascal van Kooten | data entry correlational findings, research synthesis | volunteer | 0,1 |
| Frank van der Vlugt (ir.) | data entry correlational findings | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Ruut Veenhoven (prof. dr.) | direction, data analysis | volunteer | 0,8 |
| Prisca Vis (MA) | data entry bibliography, follow-up study | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Paul Wartena (drs.) | data entry distributional findings | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Gerard Wildschut | documentation | volunteer | 0,1 |
| Ems Zuidgeest (MD) | documentation | volunteer | 0,2 |
| Teun Zijlmans | data entry bibliography | volunteer | 0,1 |
| TOTAL | 7,9 | ||
| Name | Subject |
| Bachelor students | |
| Arne Schmidt | |
| Master students | |
| Minoum Bouissaghouane | Happiness and early retirement: analysis of GSOEP longitudinal data |
| Eric Meijer | Male/female differences in conditions for happiness: synthesis of WDH correlational findings |
| PhD students | |
| Geal Brule | Why are the French not too happy? |
| Tineke de Jonge | Comparability of responses to different survey questions on happiness |
| Jeroen Nawijn | Happiness and Leisure |
| Jan Ott | Happiness and governance in nations |
| Prisca Vis | Happiness and performance in Olympic Games |
| Name | Institute | Period |
| Mark Chekola (prof. dr.) | Dpt. of Philosophy, Minnesota State Univ, USA | October 2012 |
| Maja Tadic (MA) | PhD student, Institute of social sciences, Zagreb, Croatia | Spring 2011 |
| Hector Vargas | Post Doc, Chile | August 2011- December 2012 |
| Michiel Hobbelt (MA) |
| Devorah van den Berg (MSc) |
| Pascal van Kooten |
- Office and equipment are provided by the department of sociology at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Most of the staff are volunteers, including Veenhoven after his retirement.
- Donations can be made to a special Support Fund for the World Database of Happiness that is adminstered by Erasmus University's Trustfund. The goal of the fund is to promote the maintenance, updating and scientific use of the collections.
- Long-term continuation of the collection is also advanced by the Stichting Onderzoek Geluk (Foundation for Happiness Research)
| Party | Project | Persons |
| within Erasmus University Rotterdam | ||
| Library | Redesign of World Database of Happiness | Peter van Huistede Jasper op de Coul |
| RISBO | HOVO effectstudie | Sanne van Herpen |
| GeluksWijzer, International Scale Interval Study | Peter Hermus | |
| Follow-up of Olympic sporters | Peter Hermus | |
| Dpt. of psychology | GeluksWijzer | Arnold Bakker |
| Dpt. of sociology | Mental health care and happinessin nations | Giorgio Touburg |
| Occupation and happiness: analysis of Wage Indicator | Keja Tijdens | |
| external parties | ||
| Verwey-Jonker Institute | Evaluation of lessons in happiness in secundary education | Huub Braam |
| CBS | Happiness Scale Interval Study applied to survey questions on happiness in Dutch (studies Dutch 6 and 7) | Tineke de Jonge |
| UVIT insurance | GeluksWijzer project | Nicole Haarsma |
| OECD | Wiki progress website | Phillipa Lysagt |
| GGZ BAVO groep | Application of GeluksWijzer in e-health psychiatry | Eric Hoenkamp |
| Application of GeluksWijzer in preventive mental health for adolescents | Maria Smets | |
Happiness Research Program 2001 (in Dutch)
Happiness Research Program 2003 (in Dutch)
Happiness Research Program 2004 (in Dutch)
Happiness Research Program 2005 (in Dutch)
Happiness Research Program 2006
Happiness Research Program 2007
Happiness Research Program 2008
Happiness Research Program 2009