Sandie McHugh

This study has examined happiness using data from self-reported perceptions from residents of the northern town of Bolton. The aim was to replicate the 1938 Mass Observation Worktown Happiness questionnaire in Bolton, in 2014. The data collected from the replication was compared with that from 1938 to examine if, and how, happiness perceptions had changed during a time of considerable economic and social change? Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the data. The key findings from 2014, were that Boltonians were not happier than residents some 76 years earlier and that the majority of respondents were happier away from the town and found it easier to be happy at weekends, in contrast to their predecessors. In ranking Ten Aspects of Happiness, Boltonians valued Good Humour and Leisure more favourably than Worktowners and Religion which had been in the top 3 in 1938, moved down to 10th place. Economic Security was the only aspect of happiness to remain in the top three. There was no change in the proportion of participants who regarded Luck as important for happiness. A qualitative analysis of letters from1938 and comments from 2014, revealed that ‘peace of mind and contentment,’ paramount in 1938, did not feature in 2014, when people were happiest undertaking chosen ‘activities’ in their free time. Personal relationships were important in both periods, expressed as ‘family and friends’ in 2014 and ‘family and home’, and ‘giving to and helping others’ in 1938. Since the days of Worktown, leisure has become more individualised and centred in the home rather than in the town’s community.
These findings are a snapshot of happiness in one town from the late 1930s and 2010s.
This unique study adds to existing knowledge on happiness perceptions by highlighting similarities and differences across a 76-year period. This is unique in the world research literature on happiness. As self-reported happiness had not increased in the town despite improvements in standards of living, it lends some support to the Easterlin Paradox, that as countries become richer, their citizens do not necessarily experience enhanced happiness.
The high frequency of personal and family ‘activities’ in 2014 to generate happiness, provides information for the study of leisure developments. The replication of the Mass Observation questionnaire in 2014 and its use in other later studies demonstrate that there is now an additional tool, a template questionnaire for happiness research. The values of Worktown, ‘contentment and peace of mind’ could contribute to well-being and to contemporary Positive Psychology material. The research process, the analysis, publications and contribution to knowledge are discussed within the commentary and in the conclusions, to justify the award of a doctorate by publication.