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Happiness Measures

Characteristics

Code:
M-CO-cy-mq-v-7-b
Focus:
Mixed: Contentment + Overall (M-CO)
Time frame:
last year (cy)
Mode:
multiple questions (mq)
Scale Type:
verbal scale (v)
Scale Range:
7

Description

Self report on four questions:

Using the 1-7 scale below, indicate how much each of the following statements applies for you in the last 18 months.
A  In most ways my life is close to ideal
B  The conditions of my life are excellent
C  I am satisfied with my life
D  So far, I have gotten the important things I want in life

Answers rated:
7  applies completely
6  applies
5  applies slightly
4  neither applies nor does not apply
3  slightly not applicable
2  not applicable
1  applies not at all

Computation: A+B+C+D divided by 4

Name: Shortened Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), last years version
(In the original scale item 5 reads: 'If I could live my life over, I would change nothing'. This item is left out in this selection because a positive answer to this question does not necessarily mean that the respondent doesn't like the life he/she actually lives.)

List of Studies Using this Measure

Study Population N Mean
Standard Deviation
VanSluijs (2004): study NL 1987 Young adults, followed from age 18 to 30, The Netherlands, 1987-1999 N = 836