This article was downloaded by: [Central Michigan University] On: 10 February 2015, At: 05:43 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
Experimental Aging Research: An International Journal Devoted to the Scientific Study of the Aging Process Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uear20
A brief note on a preliminary study of life satisfaction for male university faculty of differing chronological ages W. Barlow Soper
a
a
Behavioral Sciences , Louisiana Tech University , Huston, Louisiana, 71272, U.S.A. Published online: 27 Sep 2007.
To cite this article: W. Barlow Soper (1979) A brief note on a preliminary study of life satisfaction for male university faculty of differing chronological ages, Experimental Aging Research: An International Journal Devoted to the Scientific Study of the Aging Process, 5:5, 435-440, DOI: 10.1080/03610737908257218 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03610737908257218
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
435
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
BRIEF COMMUNICATION A BRIEF NOTE ON A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF LIFE SATISFACTION FOR MALE UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DIFFERING CHRONOLOGICAL AGES
W. BARLOW SOPER Behavioral Sciences Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana 71272 U.S.A.
Soper, W.B. Brief note on a preliminary study of life satisfaction for male university faculty of differing chronological ages. Experimenraf Aging Reseurch, 1979,5 (9,435-440. Male faculty of a large southeastern university were surveyed in order to determine the relationship between life satisfaction and chronological age for a relatively homogeneous population. It was found that satisfaction increased linearly with age for this group. However, the relationship was so slight it was suggested that differences in chronological age did not account for a meaningful amount of the variance in life satisfaction. This is consistent with results obtained for larger segments of the population. Suggestions for further research are provided.
Previous studies assessing subjective impressions of satisfaction with ones life in general (life satisfaction) have produced equivocal results. Wessman (1956) analyzed data obtained from a National Public Opinion Survey of men ranging in age from 20 years to 60 years and discovered a steady decline in satisfaction
Requests for reprints should be directed to the author at Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, 71272.
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
436
SOPER
with an increase in age. Investigating a sample of urban elderly Kutner, Fanshel, Togo, and Langer (1958) suggested that this relationship persists for persons over 60 years of age. However, Campbell, Converse, and Rodgers (1976), exploring data from a national probability sample which was believed to be representative of the nation's population with respect to age, found a positive linear relationship between age and life satisfaction. Still others (Bortner & Hultsch, 1970) working with Gallup Survey data found no change with age. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between a measure of life satisfaction and chronological age for a group of male faculty at a large southeastern university. The study does not deal with specific predictors of life satisfaction.
METHOD Of 1554 male faculty Surveyed at the University of Georgia, 1,028 (66.2%) responded to a satisfaction questionnaire. Only
males were sampled because previous research (Spreitzer & Snyder, 1974) suggests sex differences in satisfaction and most faculty were male. Respondents were compared to the population of university professors from which the research sample was drawn with respect to proportion with tenure, academic rank, degree, and age: no differences were found. Table 1 presents sampling characteristics of the respondents for academic rank,tenure, and highest degree obtained. Life satisfaction was measured by a modified version of Cantril's (1965) self-anchoring assessment technique through the use of a questionnaire constructed by the author. This technique allows the respondent to place himself at the most appropriate place between two self-perceived extremes. The life satisfaction item relevant to this study is reproduced below:
437
LIFE SATISFACTION
TABLE 1 Sampling Characteristicsof the Respondentsfor Selected Variables
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
Variable
n
%a
Professor
309
30.1
Associate professor
273
26.6
Assistant professor
364
35.4
79
7.7
3
.3
1028
100.1
With
585
56.9
Without
439
42.7
Total
1024
99.6
Doctorate
835
81.2
Masters
167
16.2
23
2.2
1025
99.6
Academic rank
Instructor Other Total Tenure
Highest degree
Bachelors Total
a Total percentages do not equal 100% because of rounding or missing data.
Note: additional details regarding sampling characteristics of t h e respondants are available from t h e author, e.g., marital status and number of children.
For the next jtem mark the box which represents how satisfied or dissatisfied you feel about your life as a whole, at the present time.
SOPER
438
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
Box 1 below represents the most satisfied that you could possibly be, and Box 10 the most dissatisfied that you could possibly be. Satisfied 1 2
3
4
so-so 5 6
7
8
n
u
n
O
O
O
O
O
Dissatisfied 9 O
10 O
The essential modification of Cantril’s item entailed reducing the 11-point option format to 10-points. This change, advocated by Edwards and Klemmack (1973), eliminated the possibility of respondents acquiesing by marking the midpoint, and by so doing not commit themselves to a satisfaction-dissatisfaction distinction. This item was part of a longer questionnaire addressing morale which was sent to the faculty. (Copies of the entire questionnaire are available from the author. ) Each respondent was also asked to supply his month and year of birth as well as the date on which he completed the questionnaire. This allowed each respondent’s age to be calculated to the nearest month, plus or minus one month.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Respondents’ mean age was 44.2 years with a standard deviation of 10.1 years. Age ranged from 24.3 years to 69.9 years with 1,018 persons completing this item. Perceptions of life satisfaction ranged from ratings of “1” to “9” with lower numbers denoting higher levels of satisfaction. The mean satisfaction rating was 2.8 with a standard deviation of 1.3. A total of 979 persons responded to this item. The Pearson T for the correlation between these two variables was -.12 ( p < -001) which denotes an extremely slight
LIFE SATISFACTION
439
trend toward increased life satisfaction for older faculty. The equation for the line of best f i t for life satisfaction regressed on chronological age is :
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
A Y = 2.1074
+
.0013X
h where Y represents the prediction of life satisfaction and X represents the chronological age value. However, the concomittant standard error of the estimate is rather large (1.29) because of the small correlation. More importantly $ for such a small correlation coefficient is .0144. This $ value indicates that even though a small correlation exists between these variables, the variance in life satisfaction (as measured by our item) that can be predicted from age is extremely small. With an 7’ of only -.12it seemed possible that a nonlinear relationship might exist. This was checked with a n P-test of linearity (Guilford, 1965). Linearity for the relationship between these variables was supported by a nonsignificant F (10,958) = 1.10, p r . 0 5 .
The null hypothesis may be considered untenable based on these results for this large number of respondents, but life satisfaction, as measured in this study, and chronological age share extremely small common variance. This is consistent with results obtained for larger segments of the population (Bortner & Hultsch, 1970) which indicate that life satisfaction and chronological age a r e unrelated. These results must be considered exploratory and cannot be considered indicative of university faculty, in general. Additional research must be conducted with both male and female faculty of other campuses, and with other measures of life satisfaction, before extensive generalizations can be made regarding life satisfaction and chronological age.
440
SOPER
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
REFERENCES BORTNER. R.W., & HULTSCH, D.F. A multivariate analysis of correlates of life satisfaction in adulthood. Journal of Gerontology, 1970, (25), 4147. CAMPBELL, A., CONVERSE, P.E., & RODGERS, W.L. The qualify ofAmerican / v e . New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1976. CANTRIL, H. The paitern of human concerns. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1965. EDWARDS, J.N.. & KLEMMACK, D.L. Correlates of life satisfaction: A re-examination. Journal of Gerontology, 1973, (28), 497-502. GUIFORD, J.P. Fundamental statistics in psychology and education (4th ed). New York: McGraw Hill, 1965. KUTNER, B., FANSHEL, D., TOGO, A., & LANCER, T.S. Five hundred over siXry. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1956. SPREITZER, E., & SNYDER, E.E. Correlates of life satisfaction among the aged. Journal of Gerontology, 1974, (29), 454456. WESSMAN, A.E. A psychological inquiry into satisfaction and happiness (Doctoral Dissertation, Princeton University, 1956). Dissertation Abstracts. 1957, (17), 1384-138s. (University Microfilms No. 60-6586).
Received May 25, 1978; accepted June 1. 1979.
Experimental Aging Research: An International Journal Devoted to the Scientific Study of the Aging Process Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/uear20
A brief note on a preliminary study of life satisfaction for male university faculty of differing chronological ages W. Barlow Soper
a
a
Behavioral Sciences , Louisiana Tech University , Huston, Louisiana, 71272, U.S.A. Published online: 27 Sep 2007.
To cite this article: W. Barlow Soper (1979) A brief note on a preliminary study of life satisfaction for male university faculty of differing chronological ages, Experimental Aging Research: An International Journal Devoted to the Scientific Study of the Aging Process, 5:5, 435-440, DOI: 10.1080/03610737908257218 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03610737908257218
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
435
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
BRIEF COMMUNICATION A BRIEF NOTE ON A PRELIMINARY STUDY OF LIFE SATISFACTION FOR MALE UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF DIFFERING CHRONOLOGICAL AGES
W. BARLOW SOPER Behavioral Sciences Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana 71272 U.S.A.
Soper, W.B. Brief note on a preliminary study of life satisfaction for male university faculty of differing chronological ages. Experimenraf Aging Reseurch, 1979,5 (9,435-440. Male faculty of a large southeastern university were surveyed in order to determine the relationship between life satisfaction and chronological age for a relatively homogeneous population. It was found that satisfaction increased linearly with age for this group. However, the relationship was so slight it was suggested that differences in chronological age did not account for a meaningful amount of the variance in life satisfaction. This is consistent with results obtained for larger segments of the population. Suggestions for further research are provided.
Previous studies assessing subjective impressions of satisfaction with ones life in general (life satisfaction) have produced equivocal results. Wessman (1956) analyzed data obtained from a National Public Opinion Survey of men ranging in age from 20 years to 60 years and discovered a steady decline in satisfaction
Requests for reprints should be directed to the author at Behavioral Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, 71272.
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
436
SOPER
with an increase in age. Investigating a sample of urban elderly Kutner, Fanshel, Togo, and Langer (1958) suggested that this relationship persists for persons over 60 years of age. However, Campbell, Converse, and Rodgers (1976), exploring data from a national probability sample which was believed to be representative of the nation's population with respect to age, found a positive linear relationship between age and life satisfaction. Still others (Bortner & Hultsch, 1970) working with Gallup Survey data found no change with age. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between a measure of life satisfaction and chronological age for a group of male faculty at a large southeastern university. The study does not deal with specific predictors of life satisfaction.
METHOD Of 1554 male faculty Surveyed at the University of Georgia, 1,028 (66.2%) responded to a satisfaction questionnaire. Only
males were sampled because previous research (Spreitzer & Snyder, 1974) suggests sex differences in satisfaction and most faculty were male. Respondents were compared to the population of university professors from which the research sample was drawn with respect to proportion with tenure, academic rank, degree, and age: no differences were found. Table 1 presents sampling characteristics of the respondents for academic rank,tenure, and highest degree obtained. Life satisfaction was measured by a modified version of Cantril's (1965) self-anchoring assessment technique through the use of a questionnaire constructed by the author. This technique allows the respondent to place himself at the most appropriate place between two self-perceived extremes. The life satisfaction item relevant to this study is reproduced below:
437
LIFE SATISFACTION
TABLE 1 Sampling Characteristicsof the Respondentsfor Selected Variables
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
Variable
n
%a
Professor
309
30.1
Associate professor
273
26.6
Assistant professor
364
35.4
79
7.7
3
.3
1028
100.1
With
585
56.9
Without
439
42.7
Total
1024
99.6
Doctorate
835
81.2
Masters
167
16.2
23
2.2
1025
99.6
Academic rank
Instructor Other Total Tenure
Highest degree
Bachelors Total
a Total percentages do not equal 100% because of rounding or missing data.
Note: additional details regarding sampling characteristics of t h e respondants are available from t h e author, e.g., marital status and number of children.
For the next jtem mark the box which represents how satisfied or dissatisfied you feel about your life as a whole, at the present time.
SOPER
438
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
Box 1 below represents the most satisfied that you could possibly be, and Box 10 the most dissatisfied that you could possibly be. Satisfied 1 2
3
4
so-so 5 6
7
8
n
u
n
O
O
O
O
O
Dissatisfied 9 O
10 O
The essential modification of Cantril’s item entailed reducing the 11-point option format to 10-points. This change, advocated by Edwards and Klemmack (1973), eliminated the possibility of respondents acquiesing by marking the midpoint, and by so doing not commit themselves to a satisfaction-dissatisfaction distinction. This item was part of a longer questionnaire addressing morale which was sent to the faculty. (Copies of the entire questionnaire are available from the author. ) Each respondent was also asked to supply his month and year of birth as well as the date on which he completed the questionnaire. This allowed each respondent’s age to be calculated to the nearest month, plus or minus one month.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Respondents’ mean age was 44.2 years with a standard deviation of 10.1 years. Age ranged from 24.3 years to 69.9 years with 1,018 persons completing this item. Perceptions of life satisfaction ranged from ratings of “1” to “9” with lower numbers denoting higher levels of satisfaction. The mean satisfaction rating was 2.8 with a standard deviation of 1.3. A total of 979 persons responded to this item. The Pearson T for the correlation between these two variables was -.12 ( p < -001) which denotes an extremely slight
LIFE SATISFACTION
439
trend toward increased life satisfaction for older faculty. The equation for the line of best f i t for life satisfaction regressed on chronological age is :
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
A Y = 2.1074
+
.0013X
h where Y represents the prediction of life satisfaction and X represents the chronological age value. However, the concomittant standard error of the estimate is rather large (1.29) because of the small correlation. More importantly $ for such a small correlation coefficient is .0144. This $ value indicates that even though a small correlation exists between these variables, the variance in life satisfaction (as measured by our item) that can be predicted from age is extremely small. With an 7’ of only -.12it seemed possible that a nonlinear relationship might exist. This was checked with a n P-test of linearity (Guilford, 1965). Linearity for the relationship between these variables was supported by a nonsignificant F (10,958) = 1.10, p r . 0 5 .
The null hypothesis may be considered untenable based on these results for this large number of respondents, but life satisfaction, as measured in this study, and chronological age share extremely small common variance. This is consistent with results obtained for larger segments of the population (Bortner & Hultsch, 1970) which indicate that life satisfaction and chronological age a r e unrelated. These results must be considered exploratory and cannot be considered indicative of university faculty, in general. Additional research must be conducted with both male and female faculty of other campuses, and with other measures of life satisfaction, before extensive generalizations can be made regarding life satisfaction and chronological age.
440
SOPER
Downloaded by [Central Michigan University] at 05:43 10 February 2015
REFERENCES BORTNER. R.W., & HULTSCH, D.F. A multivariate analysis of correlates of life satisfaction in adulthood. Journal of Gerontology, 1970, (25), 4147. CAMPBELL, A., CONVERSE, P.E., & RODGERS, W.L. The qualify ofAmerican / v e . New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1976. CANTRIL, H. The paitern of human concerns. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1965. EDWARDS, J.N.. & KLEMMACK, D.L. Correlates of life satisfaction: A re-examination. Journal of Gerontology, 1973, (28), 497-502. GUIFORD, J.P. Fundamental statistics in psychology and education (4th ed). New York: McGraw Hill, 1965. KUTNER, B., FANSHEL, D., TOGO, A., & LANCER, T.S. Five hundred over siXry. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1956. SPREITZER, E., & SNYDER, E.E. Correlates of life satisfaction among the aged. Journal of Gerontology, 1974, (29), 454456. WESSMAN, A.E. A psychological inquiry into satisfaction and happiness (Doctoral Dissertation, Princeton University, 1956). Dissertation Abstracts. 1957, (17), 1384-138s. (University Microfilms No. 60-6586).
Received May 25, 1978; accepted June 1. 1979.
