The next section focuses on a group of measures of life satisfaction in children and adolescents. We start with
theStudents’ Life Satisfaction Scale (Huebner, 1991b ). This brief assessment tool consists of seven items that lead
to a total score of young peoples’ satisfaction with life as a whole. Next, the Perceived Life Satisfaction Scale
(Adelman et al., 1989 ) focuses on young peoples’ satisfaction in different life domains (e.g., material and physical
well-being). Nineteen items yield a total score of perceived satisfaction with life. Finally, the Multidimensional
Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (Huebner, 1994 ) is a multidimensional assessment of satisfaction with specific
domains (e.g., satisfaction with friendships). Its 40 items yield a total life satisfaction score, and five domain-
specific subscale scores.
More detailed descriptions of the life satisfaction measures reviewed in this chapter follow below. For each
measure, we present information on (1) theoretical conceptualization and key references; (2) description of the
items and response options; (3) sample(s); (4) reliability; (5) validity; (6) location; (7) psychometric strengths and
weaknesses; and (8) a sample of the actual measure.
Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)
(Diener et al., 1985 )
Variable
Diener et al. (1985) defined global life satisfaction as a cognitive judgment of the quality of one’s own life.
Cognitive ‘judgments of satisfaction are dependent upon a comparison of one’s circumstances with what is
thought to be an appropriate standard. It is important to point out that the judgment of how satisfied people are
with their present state of affairs is based on a comparison with a standard which each individual sets for him or
herself; it is not externally imposed’ ( Diener et al., 1985 , p. 71).
Description
The SWLS consists of five items assessing individuals’ global life satisfaction. Respondents rate their agree-
ment with each item on a 7-point Likert-type response scale (1 5strongly disagree to 75strongly agree ). A total
score can be obtained by summing the responses to all five items. Scores can be interpreted in terms of relative
life satisfaction by comparing individual scores with scores from normative samples, but also absolutely
(i.e., 5 /C095extremely dissatisfied; 10 /C0145dissatisfied; 15 /C0195slightly dissatisfied; 20 5neutral; 21 /C0255
slightly satisfied; 26 /C0305satisfied; 31 /C0355extremely satisfied [ Pavot & Diener, 1993 ]).
Sample
Three samples were studied to develop the SWLS ( Diener et al., 1985 ). Sample 1 ( N5176 undergraduates; no
further information on age) was used to examine the psychometrics (e.g., M, SD, internal consistency, test /C0retest
reliability) and the validity of the measure. Sample 2 ( N5163 undergraduates; no further information on age)
was used to examine convergent and discriminant validity. With sample 3 ( N553; individuals with a mean age
of 75 years), the properties of the measure in elderly persons were examined. Further normative data for different
groups (e.g., students, adults, health-related samples) were reported in Pavot and Diener (1993, 2008) .Diener
et al. (1985) reported a mean life satisfaction score of 23.5 ( SD56.43) for sample 1.
Reliability
Internal Consistency
The 5-item SLWS shows a high Cronbach alpha coefficient of α5.87 (Diener et al., 1985 ). Likewise, Pavot and
Diener (1993) reported alpha coefficients ranging between α5.79 and α5.89.
Test/C0Retest
Two-month test /C0retest reliability of the SWLS is rtt5.82 (Diener et al., 1985 ). Further research on the test /C0ret-
est stability yielded coefficients of rtt5.83 (2 weeks), rtt5.84 (1 month), rtt5.64 and .82 (2 months), rtt5.50
(10 weeks), and rtt5.54 (4 years) (cf. Pavot & Diener, 1993 ).104 5. MEASURES OF LIFE SATISFACTION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS