Is it possible to design an integrated “Happiness Index” that will be a combination of environmental, contextual and respondent-based measures of happiness?
Existing examples of “Happiness Indexes”
- “Happiness Measures” (See Fordyce, 1987)
- “Oxford Happiness Questionnaire” (See Hills & Argyle, 2002)
- Subjective Well Being Measures (See Kashdan, 2004)
- Friedman Index (See Friedman, 1997)
One of the main methodological issues in selecting, weighing and integrating multiple “happiness indicators” is that “the more variables that are added, the more data deficiencies appear and the greater the difficulty of choosing appropriate weights.” in Offer, A. 1996. In pursuit of the quality of life. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press., p.59