(e.g., ESWLS, Q-LES-Q[-18], QLI, PWI, TSWLS), with many offering global and domain-specific information.
Some of these measures were designed to assess specific age groups (e.g., LSITA), specific clinical populations
(e.g., Q-LES-Q[-18]), and/or have been expanded into different versions to provide a more nuanced assessment
of specific clinical populations (e.g., QLI). Many of these measures have been translated into various languages
and used internationally, especially the SWLS. A recent summary of the overall status of life satisfaction measure-
ment research, focusing on adults, has been completed by Diener et al. (2013) .
The development of life satisfaction measures for youth has been a notable area of progress. A number of mea-
sures have been developed to assess life satisfaction for youth aged 8 /C018 years and many of the adult life satis-
faction measures have been adapted for youth (e.g., SWLS-C, PWI-SC). Some initial attention has been given to
the development of measures targeting younger populations (e.g., PWI-PS); however, given the challenge
involved in obtaining subjective perceptions of young children, more research is needed investigating the validity
and utility of such measures. The measurement of subjective well-being in young children (age 8 years and
under) remains a key area of opportunity for research. Youth measures include global and multidimensional
assessments of life satisfaction, and extensive work has demonstrated the reliability and validity of many of these
measures, especially the SLSS and MSLSS ( Proctor, Linley, & Maltby 2009a ). As with adult measures, much work
remains in further establishing the psychometric evidence for many of these measures, especially across cultures
(cf.Casas et al., 2012 ). Recent reviews of youth life satisfaction measures are available ( Huebner & Hills, 2013;
Proctor, Linley, & Maltby 2009b ). Consistent with Andrews and Robinson’s (1991) recommendation, most life sat-
isfaction measures developed in the last two decades incorporate a scale with five or more response categories.
Competing criteria should also be considered that include age and functional capacity of the participants. For a
current review see Diener et al. (2013) .
It is important to understand the different factors found to influence life satisfaction depending on context
(e.g., culture, age) in order to make an informed decision in selecting an appropriate measure. For example,
although the SWLS is an internationally used, empirically supported measure of well-being, the PWI has been
used extensively in Australian populations.
Substantial progress has been made in the development of life satisfaction measures for adults, youths, and
specific clinical populations. Research over the past two decades has increased our understanding of the relation-
ship between life satisfaction and the social and psychological factors that influence satisfaction across the life-
span ( Lyubomirsky et al., 2005; Proctor et al., 2009a ). Further, such research has laid the groundwork for
investigating appropriate causal models of well-being.
The usefulness of life satisfaction measures has gained attention at the macro-applied level of social policy-
making and many countries have expanded their use of these measures in understanding social impact
(International Wellbeing Group, 2013 ). National accounts of subjective well-being (including life satisfaction mea-
sures) for children and adults are being considered and adopted by various nations. This will also provide the
opportunity to investigate the psychometric properties and utility of life satisfaction measures in different con-
texts. Given the widespread international interest in national accounts of well-being, perhaps the greatest need
for future research involves studies of the comparability of reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity
of different life satisfaction measures across different groups, such as nations, cultures, ethnic groups, genders,
and age groups (see Gilman et al., 2008 ). Research into the usefulness of life satisfaction measures in the public
policymaking arena is also essential.
The progress made to-date in the development and validation of measures of life satisfaction is commendable,
and future research expanding the reliability/validity evidence for use of these measures within general and spe-
cific populations will aid in continuing to resolve many of the questions that remain in understanding the nature
and impact of satisfaction across the lifespan.
References
Adams, D. L. (1969). Analysis of a life satisfaction index. Journal of Gerontology ,24, 470/C0474. Available from http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1093/
geronj/24.4.470 .
Adelman, H. S., Taylor, L., & Nelson, P. (1989). Minor’s dissatisfaction with their life circumstances. Child Psychiatry and Human Development ,
20, 135/C0147. Available from http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1007/BF00711660 .
Alfonso, V. C. (1995). Measures of quality of life, subjective well-being, and satisfaction with life. In D. A. Allison (Ed.), Handbook of assessment
methods for eating behaviors and weight-related problems: Measures, theory and research (pp. 23 /C080). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Alfonso, V. C., Allison, D. B., & Dunn, G. M. (1992). Sexual fantasy and satisfaction: A multidimensional analysis of gender differences. Journal
of Psychology and Human Sexuality ,5,1 9/C037. Available from http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1300/J056v05n03_03 .127 REFERENCES
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS