Question 3:  Is there a difference in amount of stress?

Table 3
Item 4:  How much stress do you experience daily on a scale of 1-10?    1=least;  10=most

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how much stress people report. In general, younger people (up to age thirty-five) report less stress then people in their middle age (thirty-six to fifty-five), the difference is only about 3 percent. Older people (fifty-six to fifty-nine) report less stress than middle aged people (thirty-six to fifty-five), the difference is about 16 percent. The oldest group (seventy and above) report the least amount of stress, but this result needs to be checked with a larger sample.

Question 4:  Is there a difference in amount of compassion?

Table 4
Item 5:  How compassionate a person do you consider yourself to be on a scale of 1-10?    1=least;  10=most

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how much compassion people report. In general, younger people (up to age thirty-five) report less compassion then people in their middle age (thirty-six to fifty-five), the difference is only about 4 percent. Older people (fifty-six to fifty-nine) report less compassion than middle aged people (thirty-six to fifty-five), the difference is about 15 percent. The oldest group (seventy and above) report the greatest amount of compassion, but this result needs to be checked with a larger sample.

There is no statistically significant difference among the age groups as to how compassionate they rate others, with an across the board mean of around 5.60.

Question 5:  Is there a difference in how good they perceive themselves to be?

Table 5
Item 7:  How good a person do you consider yourself to be on a scale of 1-10?     1=least;  10=most

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how good they see themselves. In general, people in the middle range (aged twenty to fifty-five) see themselves as more good than either younger people (nineteen or less)  or older people (fifty-six and above), the difference is about 6 percent.

There is no statistically significant difference among the age groups as to how good they rate others, with an across the board mean of around 6.40.

Question 6:  Is there a difference in how angry they perceive themselves?

Table 6
Item 9:  How much anger do you experience daily on a scale of 1-10?     1=least;  10=most

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how angry they see themselves. In general, older people see themselves as less angry than younger people, the means ranging from 5.2 to 2.7. Younger people (nineteen to thirty-five) rate themselves an average of 6.1 while older people (thirty-six and above) rate themselves an average of 4.3, a whopping difference of 42 percent. (Note: The age sample of seventy and above is too small for reliable results. The results omit them.)

A similar but smaller statistically significant difference among the age groups exist as to how angry they rate others, with means ranging from 5.2 (youngest group) to 4.3 (oldest group), which is a 21 percent difference.

Question 7:  Is there a difference in how often they feel rage or hate?

Table 7
Item 11:  How often do you experience anger, rage, or hate?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel anger, rage, or hate. In general, older people experience less anger, rage, or hate than younger people. For instance, 40 percent of people nineteen or less experience rage on a daily basis, vs. 37 percent for people between twenty and thirty-five, and 26 percent for people aged thirty-six to fifty-five. About 22 percent of older people (fifty-six and over) experience rage or hate on a daily basis.

Question 8:  Is there a difference in how often they experience enjoying fantasies of violence?

Table 8
Item 12:  How often do you experience enjoying fantasies of violence?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they enjoy fantasies of violence. In general, younger people report enjoying fantasies of violence more frequently than older people. For instance, 17 percent of people nineteen or less are enjoying fantasies of violence on a daily or hourly basis, vs. 12 percent for people between twenty and thirty-five, and 6 percent for people aged thirty-six to fifty-five. Only 2 percent of older people (fifty-six to fifty-nine) enjoy  fantasies of violence on a daily basis. (Our sample of people above seventy is too small to judge.)

Question 9:  Is there a difference in how often they feel compassion for someone?

Table 9
Item 14:  How often do you experience feeling compassion for someone?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel compassion for someone. The vast majority of people (94 percent or more) report feeling compassion for others on a recurrent basis.  Younger people report feeling compassion for someone more frequently than older people. For instance, 73 percent of people nineteen or less are feel compassion for someone on a daily or hourly basis, vs. 68 percent for people between twenty and thirty-five, and 68 percent for people aged thirty-six to fifty-five, and 66 percent of people aged fifty-six to fifty-nine. (Note: The age sample of seventy and above is too small for reliable results. The results omit them.)

Question 10:  Is there a difference in how often they feel competitive with others?

Table 10
Item 15:  How often do you experience feeling competitive with others?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel competitive with others. Younger people report feeling competitive with others more frequently than older people. For instance, 42 percent of people up to age thirty-five, feel competitive with others on a daily basis vs. 32 percent for people between thirty-six and older. On an hourly basis, 11 percent of younger people (nineteen or less) feel competitive vs. 8 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five) or 4 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five). On a recurrent basis (weekly, daily, hourly) 80 percent of people up to age thirty-five  feel competitive vs. 67 percent for ages thirty-six and above. (Note: The age sample of seventy and above is too small for reliable results. The results omit them.)

Question 11:  Is there a difference in how often they feel impatient with others?

Table 11
Item 17:  How often do you experience feeling impatient with others?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel impatient with others. Younger people report feeling impatient with others more frequently than older people. For instance, 63 percent of people nineteen or less and 66 percent of people twenty to thirty-five feel impatient with others on a daily or hourly basis vs. 51 percent of people thirty-six to fifty-five and 42 percent for people fifty-six to fifty-nine.

Question 12:  Is there a difference in how often they feel calm?

Table 12
Item 18:  How often do you experience feeling level-headed, calm, composed or collected?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel level-headed, calm, composed or collected. Older people report feeling level-headed, calm, composed or collected more frequently than older people. For instance, about 80 percent of people thirty-six and older feel level-headed, calm, composed or collected on a daily or hourly basis vs.73 percent of people up to age thirty-five.

Question 13:  Is there a difference in how often they feel rude?

Table 13
Item 20:  How often do you experience feeling like being rude, obnoxious or sarcastic to someone?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel like being rude, obnoxious or sarcastic to someone. Younger people report feeling like being rude, obnoxious or sarcastic to someone more frequently than older people. For instance, about 60 percent of people younger than nineteen and 48 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five feel like being rude, obnoxious or sarcastic to someone on a daily or hourly basis. Only 24 percent of people aged thirty-six to fifty-five feel like being rude, and only 11 percent for people aged fifty-six to fifty-nine. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less like being rude, obnoxious or sarcastic to someone.

Question 14:  Is there a difference in how often they feel stupid?

Table 14
Item 21:  How often do you experience feeling like you are stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc.?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel like being rude, obnoxious or sarcastic to someone. Younger people report feeling stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc. more frequently than older people. For instance, about 38 percent of people younger than nineteen, vs. 20 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five feel like they are stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc.on a daily or hourly basis. Only about 16 percent of people aged thirty-six and older feel that way. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less stupid or dumb.

Question 15:  Is there a difference in how often they feel others are stupid?

Table 15
Item 22:  How often do you experience feeling like someone else is stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc.?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel that others are stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc. Younger people report feeling that others are stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc. more frequently than older people. For instance, about 64 percent of people younger than nineteen, vs. 57 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five feel that others are stupid, dumb, an idiot, etc.on a daily or hourly basis. Only about 42 percent of people aged thirty-six and older feel that way. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less that others are stupid or dumb.

Question 16:  Is there a difference in how often they feel insulted?

Table 16
Item 23:  How often do you experience feeling humiliated, disrespected or insulted by someone?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel humiliated, disrespected or insulted by someone. Younger people report feeling humiliated, disrespected or insulted by someone more frequently than older people. For instance, about 35 percent of people younger than nineteen, vs. 30 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five feel humiliated, disrespected or insulted by someone on a daily or hourly basis. Only about 15 percent of people aged thirty-six to fifty-five and 8 percent of people aged fifty-six and older, feel that way. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less humiliated, disrespected or insulted by someone on a regular basis.

Question 17:  Is there a difference in how often they feel like insulting someone?

Table 17
Item 24:  How often do you experience feeling like humiliating, disrespecting or insulting someone?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel like humiliating, disrespecting or insulting someone. Younger people report feeling like humiliating, disrespecting or insulting someone more frequently than older people. For instance, about 34 percent of people younger than nineteen, vs.19 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five feel like humiliating, disrespecting or insulting someone on a daily or hourly basis. Only about 9 percent of people aged thirty-six to fifty-five and 4 percent of people aged fifty-six and older, feel that way. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less like humiliating, disrespecting or insulting someone on a regular basis.

Question 18:  Is there a difference in how often they feel upset?

Table 18
Item 25:  How often do you experience feeling annoyed, bothered, irritable or upset?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel annoyed, bothered, irritable or upset. Younger people report feeling annoyed, bothered, irritable or upset more frequently than older people. For instance, about 56 percent of people up to age thirty-five feel annoyed, bothered, irritable or upset on a daily or hourly basis, vs. about 37 percent of people aged thirty-six and older. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less annoyed, bothered, irritable or upset.

Question 19:  Is there a difference in how often they feel ill-treated?

Table 19
Item 26:  How often do you experience feeling used, ill-treated, taken advantage of?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel used, ill-treated, taken advantage of. Younger people report feeling used, ill-treated, taken advantage of more frequently than older people. For instance, about 28 percent of people who are nineteen or less feel used, ill-treated, taken advantage of on a daily or hourly basis, vs. about 24 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five. About 21 percent of people aged thirty-six to fifty-five feel that way, and only 17 percent of people aged fifty-six to fifty-nine. Clearly, as people get older they feel less used, ill-treated, taken advantage of.

Question 20:  Is there a difference in how often they feel bullied?

Table 20
Item 27:  How often do you experience feeling criticized, picked on or bullied?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel criticized, picked on or bullied. Younger people report feeling criticized, picked on or bullied more frequently than older people. For instance, about 23 percent of people who are nineteen or less feel criticized, picked on or bullied on a daily or hourly basis, vs. about 16 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five. About 11 percent of people aged thirty-six to fifty-five feel that way, and only 8 percent of people aged fifty-six to fifty-nine. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less criticized, picked on or bullied.

Question 21:  Is there a difference in how often they feel like bullying others?

Table 21
Item 28:  How often do you experience feeling like picking on or bullying someone?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel like picking on or bullying someone. Younger people report feeling like picking on or bullying someone more frequently than older people. For instance, about 17 percent of people who are nineteen or less feel like picking on or bullying someone on a daily or hourly basis, vs. about 6 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five. Only about 4 percent of people aged thirty-six to fifty-five feel that way, and 2 percent of people aged fifty-six to fifty-nine. Clearly, as people get older they feel less and less like picking on or bullying someone.

Question 22:  Is there a difference in how often they feel depressed?

Table 22
Item 29:  How often do you experience feeling discouraged or depressed?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel discouraged or depressed. Younger people report feeling discouraged or depressed more frequently than older people. Up to age thirty-five about one in three people (31 percent) report feeling discouraged or depressed daily or hourly. From age thirty-six to fifty-five about 20 percent report feeling discouraged or depressed on a daily or hourly basis. From age fifty-six to fifty-nine about 25 percent feel this way. The percentage of people who report rarely or never to feel depressed varies from 27 percent for the twenty to thirty-five age group to 38 percent for the thirty-six to fifty-five age group. The evidence here is that the older people get the less depression they report--which may not fit society's current stereotype!

Question 23:  Is there a difference in how often they feel like a loser for not speaking up?

Table 23
Item 30:  How often do you experience feeling like a big loser for not saying something after being taken advantage of?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel like a big loser for not saying something after being taken advantage of. Younger people report feeling like a loser for not speaking up more frequently than older people. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 51 percent (under nineteen years), 42 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 34 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 8 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine). The sample for ages 70 and up is too small to give reliable results.

Question 24:  Is there a difference in how often they feel like they lose emotional control?

Table 24
Item 31:  How often do you experience feeling like you have no control over your emotions and that you cannot help feeling disturbed about things?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel like they have no control over their emotions and being disturbed about things. Younger people report feeling like they have no control over their emotions and being disturbed about things more frequently than older people. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 59 percent (under nineteen years), 55 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 38 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 30 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine).

Question 25:  Is there a difference in how often they feel incompetent, inadequate?

Table 25
Item 32:  How often do you experience feeling that something must be wrong with you, that you are incompetent, inadequate or defective?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel that they are incompetent, inadequate or defective. Younger people report that they feel incompetent, inadequate or defective more frequently than older people. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 51 percent (under nineteen years), 49 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 35 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 37 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine). The majority of young people up to nineteen feel that there must be something wrong with them. One in four of them (27 percent) have this feeling daily or hourly. But this is also true of people 56 and older (23 percent).

Question 26:  Is there a difference in how often they feel worthless?

Table 26
Item 33:  How often do you experience feeling worthless or that life is not worth the misery and pain?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel worthless or that life is not worth the misery and pain. Younger people report that they feel worthless more frequently than older people. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 37 percent (under nineteen years), 27 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 23 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 26 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine).

Question 27:  Is there a difference in how often they feel angry when interfered with?

Table 27
Item 34:  How often do you experience feeling angry because someone tries to stop you from doing what you want?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel angry because someone tries to stop them from doing what they want. Younger people report that they feel angry because someone tries to stop them from doing what they want more frequently than older people. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 65 percent (under nineteen years), 46 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 28 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 31 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine). One in three people (31 percent) under age nineteen feel angry because they are being interfered with on a daily or hourly basis vs. only 16 percent for people aged twenty to thirty-five, and even less frequently (7 percent) for people aged thirty-six and above.

Question 28:  Is there a difference in how often they feel angry when treated unfairly?

Table 28
Item 35:  How often do you experience feeling angry because someone is inconsiderate or unfair to you?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they feel angry because someone is being inconsiderate or unfair to them. Younger people more often than older people report that they feel angry because someone is being inconsiderate or unfair to them. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 75 percent (under nineteen years), 71 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 58 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 50 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine). One in three people (34 percent) under age nineteen feel angry because they are being interfered with on a daily or hourly basis vs. only 23 percent for people aged twenty to thirty-five, and even less frequently (14 percent) for people aged thirty-six to fifty-five.

Question 29:  Is there a difference in how often they feel angry because someone hurts their feelings?

Table 29
Item 36:  How often do you experience feeling angry because someone hurts your feelings?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they are angry because someone hurts their feelings. Younger people more often than older people report that they feel angry because someone hurt their feelings. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 65 percent (under nineteen years), 48 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 37 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 32 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine). About 28 percent of people under age nineteen feel angry because someone hurts their feelings on a daily or hourly basis vs. only 12 percent for people aged twenty to thirty-five, and even less frequently (6 percent) for people aged thirty-six to fifty-five. (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 30:  Is there a difference in how often they feel angry because someone talks behind your back?

Table 30
Item 37:  How often do you experience feeling angry because someone has talked badly about you behind your back?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they are angry because someone has talked behind their back and vilified them. Younger people more often than older people report that they feel angry because someone vilified them by talking behind their back. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 43 percent (under nineteen years), 25 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 14 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 4 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine).  (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 31:  Is there a difference in how often they experience shame?

Table 31
Item 38:  How often do you experience shame?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience shame. Younger people more often than older people report that they feel shame on a regular basis. The percent of people who feel this on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 40 percent (under nineteen years), 31 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 22 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 19 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine).  (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 32:  Is there a difference in how often they experience fatigued and being downcast?

Table 32
Item 39:  How often do you experience depressed mood, constant fatigue, downcast?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience fatigued and being downcast. Younger people more often than older people report that they feel fatigued and downcast. The percent of people who feel this on a daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 28 percent (under nineteen years), 21 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 17 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 17 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine).  (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 33:  Is there a difference in how often they experience being distracted, making decisions?

Table 33
Item 40:  How often do you experience difficulty in making decisions, completing tasks, distractedness?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience difficulty in making decisions, completing tasks, distractedness. Younger people more often than older people report that they feel difficulty in making decisions, completing tasks, distractedness. The percent of people who feel this on a daily or hourly, goes down with each age group: 42 percent (under nineteen years), 33 percent (ages twenty to thirty-five), 18 percent (ages thirty-six to fifty-five), 17 percent (ages fifty-six to fifty-nine).  (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 34:  Is there a difference in how often they experience being fearful, pessimistic?

Table 34
Item 41:  How often do you experience expecting the worst, constantly fearful of what might happen, pessimistic?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience expecting the worst, constantly fearful of what might happen, pessimistic. Younger people more often than older people report that they are expecting the worst, being constantly fearful of what might happen, pessimistic. For instance, about 20 percent of people up to age thirty-five are fearful and pessimistic on a daily basis vs. about 13 percent for people thirty-six and older. Among the younger people (up to age thirty-five) about 47 percent report never or rarely feeling this way while about 62 percent of people thirty-six and older rarely or never feel this way.  (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 35:  Is there a difference in how often they experience disconnected, rejected?

Table 35
Item 42:  How often do you experience feeling alienated, disconnected, demoralized, disillusioned, neglected, rejected?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience feeling alienated, disconnected, demoralized, disillusioned, neglected, rejected. Younger people more often than older people report that they are expecting the worst, being constantly fearful of what might happen, pessimistic. For instance, about 13 percent of people up to age thirty-five feel alienated, demoralized, rejected on a daily basis vs. about 9 percent for people thirty-six and older. Among the youngest group (nineteen or less) 8 percent report feeling this on an hourly basis. Up to age thirty-five between 53 percent and 59 percent of people rarely or never feel this way, vs. 34 percent for people thirty-six and older. (The sample for seventy and above is too small for conclusions.)

Question 36:  Is there a difference in how often they experience being dejected?

Table 36
Item 43:  How often do you experience being dejected, melancholy, sad?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience being dejected, melancholy, sad. Younger people more often than older people report that they experience being dejected, melancholy, sad. For instance, about 24 percent of people (one in four) up to age thirty-five feel being dejected, melancholy, sad on a daily or hourly basis vs. about 11 to 17 percent for people thirty-six and older.

Question 37:  Is there a difference in how often they experience feeling like a failure?

Table 37
Item 44:  How often do you experience feeling like a failure, diminished self-esteem, ineffectual, powerless?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience feeling like a failure, diminished self-esteem, ineffectual, powerless. Younger people more often than older people report feeling this way on a regular basis. For instance, about 18 percent of people under nineteen and 15 percent of people aged twenty to thirty-five feel this way on a daily or hourly basis vs. only 12 percent for people after age thirty-five. As people get older they feel less and less powerless or like a failure: for under nineteen year olds--43 percent; for those aged between twenty to thirty-five--42 percent; for those aged thirty-six to fifty-five--32 percent; and for those over age fifty-six--28 percent.

Question 38:  Is there a difference in how often they experience feeling miserable?

Table 38
Item 45:  How often do you experience frequent crying, feeling miserable, feeling sorry for self?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how often they experience frequent crying, feeling miserable, feeling sorry for self. The youngest and the oldest people report feeling this way on a regular basis, more so than middle aged people. This is called a curvilinear relation. The mean for each age group for feeling this way on a daily or hourly basis is: 14 percent (for those aged nineteen or less), 9 percent (for those aged twenty to thirty-five), 6 percent (for those aged thirty-six to fifty-five), and 10 percent for those aged above fifty-six.

Question 39:  Is there a difference in how often they experience feeling gloom, dread?

Table 39
Item 46:  How often do you experience feeling gloom, dread?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people report feeling gloom or dread on a recurrent basis. The older one gets, the less gloom and dread one reports. Here is the mean for each age group in how many people report gloom or dread on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily, or hourly:   for those under nineteen years old--about 41 percent report feeling this way (almost one in two); for those between ages twenty to thirty-five--about 34 percent report feeling this way (one in three); for those aged thirty-six and above--about 28 percent feel gloom and dread on a recurrent basis (one in four).

Question 40:  Is there a difference in how often they experience having the blues?

Table 40
Item 47:  How often do you experience lack of enthusiasm, having the blues, dull, bored?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people report lack of enthusiasm, having the blues, feeling dull, bored. About 70 percent of younger people up to age thirty-five experience lack of enthusiasm, having the blues, feeling dull, bored on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily, or hourly, vs. 55 percent for those older than thirty-five. On a daily or hourly basis, twice as many younger people (up to age thirty-five) report having the blues and feeling dull than those who are older than thirty-five. The mean for each age group for feeling the blues daily or hourly is as follows: for those under nineteen years old--about 33 percent report feeling this way (one in three); for those between ages twenty to thirty-five--about 28 percent; for those aged thirty-six and above--about 15 percent feel gloom and dread on a recurrent basis.

Question 41:  Is there a difference in how often they experience being hopeless, cheerless?

Table 41
Item 48:  How often do you experience being hopeless, of low spirits, despondent, cheerless?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people report being hopeless, of low spirits, despondent, cheerless on a regular basis. About 54 percent of younger people up to age thirty-five experience being hopeless, of low spirits, despondent, cheerless on a recurrent basis--weekly, daily, or hourly, vs. 35 percent for those older than thirty-five. On a daily or hourly basis, fewer middle aged people (between thirty-six and fifty-five) report having the blues and feeling dull (9 percent) than those who are either younger (19 and 14 percent) or older (15 percent). This is called a curvilinear relation.

Question 42:  Is there a difference in how often they feel dumpy, unattractive?

Table 42
Item 49:  How often do you experience feeling dumpy, ugly, unattractive?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people report feeling dumpy, ugly, unattractive. More of the younger people feel this way than the older people. The mean for each age group in feeling dumpy, ugly, unattractive on a daily or hourly basis is:  31 percent for nineteen year olds (one in three), 28 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five (one in four), 20 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five (one in five), and 16 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine.

Question 43:  Is there a difference in how often they are over-critical, score keeping?

Table 43
Item 50:  How often do you experience fault finding, score keeping, being critical of everyone?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people report fault finding, score keeping, being critical of everyone on a regular basis. The mean for each age group in fault finding, score keeping, being critical of everyone on a daily or hourly basis is:  26 percent for nineteen year olds (one in four), 23 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five (one in four), 15 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five (one in seven), and 10 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine (one in ten). There is therefore a decrease of being over-critical as one gets older.

Question 44:  Is there a difference in how often they are restless, up-tight?

Table 44
Item 51:  How often do you experience being restless, pent-up, up-tight?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people report being restless, pent-up, up-tight. The mean for each age group in fault finding, score keeping, being critical of everyone on a daily or hourly basis is:  25 percent for nineteen year olds (one in four), 25 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five (one in four), 17 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five (one in six), and 21 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine (one in five). There is therefore a curvilinear relationship between age and feeling pent-up. The most pent-up group is that between twenty and thirty-five as 32 percent of them report rarely or never feeling this way while 68 percent do so on a recurrent basis. The least pent-up are the people aged fifty-six to sixty-nine as 55 percent of them rarely or never feel that way and 45 percent do so.

Question 45:  Is there a difference in how often they experience guilt, self blame?

Table 45
Item 52:  How often do you experience excessive sorrow, grief, guilt, self-blame?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people experience excessive sorrow, grief, guilt, self-blame. The mean for each age group in experiencing excessive sorrow, grief, guilt, self-blame on a daily or hourly basis is:  16 percent for nineteen year olds, 10 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 7 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 11 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. There is therefore a curvilinear relationship between age and feeling pent-up. The most pent-up groups are the young (up to age thirty-five) of whom about 38 percent report guilt and self-blame, vs. 25 percent for those older than 35.

Question 46:  Is there a difference in how often they experience ruminating, sulking?

Table 46
Item 53:  How often do you experience ruminating, exaggerating, sulking?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people experience ruminating, exaggerating, sulking. The mean for each age group in experiencing ruminating, exaggerating, sulking on a daily or hourly basis is:  14 percent for nineteen year olds, 10 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 6 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 6 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, more young people report ruminating and sulking than older people.

Question 47:  Is there a difference in how often they experience being hopeful, optimistic?

Table 47
Item 55:  How often do you experience being hopeful, optimistic or enthusiastic about your future?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many people experience ruminating, being hopeful, optimistic or enthusiastic about the future. Young people are more hopeful and enthusiastic about the future than older people. The mean for each age group in experiencing being hopeful, optimistic or enthusiastic about the future on a daily or hourly basis is:  51 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 47 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 43 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 44 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine.

Question 48:  Is there a difference in how many agree that it's good to vent, let off steam?

Table 48
Item 56:  It's helpful to express anger, to let off steam, to get it out, to vent. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many believe that it's helpful to express anger, to let off steam, to get it out, to vent. More young people believe this than older people. The mean for each age group in thinking that it's helpful to express anger, to let off steam, to get it out, to vent is:  90 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 86 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 81 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 70 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, as people get older they believe less and less that it's good to vent or express anger.

Question 49:  Is there a difference in how many agree that it's not their fault if they retaliate.

Table 49
Item 57:  It's not my fault if someone pushes my buttons and I do something to retaliate. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many believe that it's not their fault if they retaliate when someone pushes their buttons. More young people believe this than older people. The mean for each age group in thinking that it's not their fault if they retaliate when their buttons are pushed is:  38 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 23 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 10 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 8 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, as people get older they believe less and less that it's good to retaliate.

Question 50:  Is there a difference in how many, when angry, throw things, bang doors.

Table 50
Item 61:  When I get angry I feel like throwing things, slamming doors or banging things. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report throwing things, slamming doors or banging things. More young people report throwing things, slamming doors or banging things. The mean for each age group is:  62 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 53 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 43 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 42 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, as people get older fewer throw things, slam doors or bang things.

Question 51:  Is there a difference in how many think that temper is good.

Table 51
Item 62:  My temper helps me to get others to do what I want. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many think that temper is helpful to get what you want. More young people believe this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  17 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 15 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 9 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 8 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, as people get older fewer believe that temper is helpful to get what you want. However, the vast majority of people do not believe this (83 to 92 percent, depending on age).

Question 52:  Is there a difference in how many say they regret acting in anger.

Table 52
Item 63:  I have gotten angry and later regretted something I did or said. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report that they regret acting in anger. More of the older people believe this than younger people--81 percent for people thirty-five or younger, and 89 percent for people 36 or older.

Question 53:  Is there a difference in how many say they curse in anger.

Table 53
Item 64:  I curse or say nasty things to people I am angry with. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report they curse or say nasty things in anger. More of the younger people report this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  61 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 50 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 44 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 42 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine.

Question 54:  Is there a difference in how many say they are obsessed when angry?

Table 54
Item 65:  When I get angry I cannot think of anything but the thing I am angry at. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report they are obsessed when angry. More of the younger people report this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  63 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 58 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 42 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 36 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, the older people get the less they are obsessed by anger.

Question 55:  Is there a difference in how many say they want to shove people when angry?

Table 55
Item 69:  I get so upset with people that I feel like pushing or shoving them. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report they want to push or shove people when angry. More of the younger people report this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  45 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 28 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 19 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 8 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, the older people get the less they want to shove or push people when angry.

Question 56:  Is there a difference in how many say they want to hit back?

Table 56
Item 70:  If somebody hits me, I hit back. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report they want to hit back when someone hits them. More of the younger people report this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  67 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 61 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 45 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 40 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine. Thus, the older people get the less they want to hit back when they are attacked.

Question 57:  Is there a difference in how many say they argue when disagreed with?

Table 57
Item 71:  I can't help getting into arguments when people disagree with me. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report they want to get into arguments when people disagree with them. More of the younger people report this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  38 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 24 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 10 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 17 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine.

Question 58:  Is there a difference in how many say they did damage while angry?

Table 58
Item 73:  In anger I have purposely damaged property belonging to someone else. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer:

There is a statistically significant difference between age groups in how many report they have purposely damaged property belonging to someone else while they were angry. More of the younger people report this than older people. The mean for each age group is:  32 percent for nineteen year olds and younger, 18 percent for those between twenty to thirty-five, 13 percent for those between thirty-six and fifty-five, and 2 percent for those between fifty-six to sixty-nine.