Sample
Huebner (1991b) reported findings for a sample consisting of a total of 329 children aged 8 to 14 years.
Utilizing the 4-point response format, the mean of the SLSS (sum of 7 items) was found to be 20.84 ( SD54.51).
Using a larger sample of 1,188 adolescents, Huebner et al. (2005) reported a mean of the SLSS (averaged over
7 items) of 4.21 ( SD51.14; utilizing the 6-point response format).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The 7-item SLSS exhibited a Cronbach alpha coefficient of α5.82 ( Huebner, 1991b ).Huebner et al. (2005)
reported alpha coefficients ranging from α5.73 to α5.86 in all age groups (8 /C018 years).
Test/C0Retest
One- to two-weeks test /C0retest reliability of the SLSS was found to be rtt5.74 ( Huebner, 1991b ). Further
research on test /C0retest stabilities yielded coefficients of rtt5.76 (1/C02 weeks), rtt5.64 (one month), rtt5.55
(4 months), rtt5.53 (one year), and rtt5.51 (2 years) (e.g., Huebner et al., 2005 ;Marques, Pais-Ribeiro, & Lopez
2011;Weber, Ruch, & Huebner 2013 ).
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
The SLSS total score revealed a positive correlation of r5.62 with the Andrews-Withey (1976) life satisfaction
item, as well as correlations with measures of positive affect (e.g., Bradburn’s, 1969 , happiness item, r5.36;
Happiness subscale of the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale ,Piers, 1984 ,r5.53; cf. Huebner, 1991b ).
The SLSS also showed a positive relationship with the Piers-Harris total self-concept score (r5.53;Huebner, 1991b ).
Dew and Huebner (1994) reported a positive correlation ( r5.58) between the SLSS and the Perceived Life
Satisfaction Scale (PLSS; Adelman et al., 1989 ).
Divergent/Discriminant
Huebner (1991b) showed that the SLSS was not significantly associated with a social desirability response set
(r5.05). Huebner et al. (2005) listed several more results on its discriminant validity, for example, the SLSS
showed non-significant relationships with IQ and school grades ( Huebner & Alderman, 1993 ). Additionally, the
SLSS as a measure of the cognitive component of subjective well-being was shown to be distinguishable from the
affective components of subjective well-being utilizing conjoint factor analysis (cf. Huebner et al., 2005 ).Huebner
(1991c) reported a negative correlation between SLSS and a measure of anxiety ( r5/C0.51; Revised Children’s
Manifest Anxiety Scale ,Reynolds & Richmond, 1985 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
Huebner (1991b) computed a principal components analysis (extraction criterion was eigenvalues .1), and
found that the first unrotated principal component accounted for most of the variance. Unidimensionality of the
SLSS has been reported in several studies (for a review see Huebner et al., 2005 ).
Criterion/Predictive
Predictive validity evidence for the SLSS has been reported by Huebner (1991a) . Also, Huebner et al. (2005,
p. 50) reported that, ‘Predictive validity studies suggest that the SLSS predicts important mental health behaviors
independently and interactively with measures of stressful life events.’
Location
Huebner, E. S. (1991b). Initial development of the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale. School Psychology
International ,12, 231/C0240.
Results and Comments
Research on the SLSS has provided support for its reliability and validity as a measure of global life satisfac-
tion in children and adolescents aged between 8 and 18 years, covering elementary, middle, and high school stu-
dents. The SLSS has been evaluated in studies in several nations (e.g., Germany, Portugal); however, additional
cross-national studies are needed. Because professionals and researchers often require such a brief measure of121 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS