Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Conceptual Domains Included in Wellbeing and Life Satisfaction Instruments: A Review

  • Published:
Applied Research in Quality of Life Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments are increasingly used in health outcome research, and by health professionals. Despite their usefulness, the absence of an agreed on conceptual definition of wellbeing, and corresponding inconsistencies in operationalization, makes it difficult for researchers to operationalize the concept, and for health professionals to determine which instruments are most suitable for use. Therefore the aim of the study was to identify and define conceptual domains included in wellbeing, and life satisfaction instruments and delineate their operationalization. Using the Health and Psychosocial Instruments database (HaPI), a search for wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments was conducted for all available years using the key words of wellbeing, wellness, life satisfaction, and personal satisfaction. Measurement instruments were critically reviewed using five coding guides. Next, three raters content-analyzed the 680 items in the instruments and identified 15 conceptual domains. Finally, five other raters separately coded items into the 15 domains with a .83 coefficient of agreement. Twenty-six of the 250 instruments met inclusion criteria. The documents revealed moderate or high reliability and validity for the instruments. Items from the emotional health, physical health, social health, and non-leisure activities domains were most commonly included in the instruments. These domains were included in 73, 69, 65, and 65 % of all instruments respectively. No instrument included items from all 15 domains; the largest number included was 12 in two instruments. Despite the need for a comprehensive wellbeing instrument for research, and clinical applications, most wellbeing and life satisfaction instruments include only a few domains.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, T., Bezner, J., & Steinhardt, M. (1997). The conceptualization and measurement of perceived wellness: integrating balance across and within dimensions. American Journal of Health Promotion, 11(3), 208–218.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, F. M., & Withey, S. B. (1976). Social indicators of well-being: Americans’ perceptions of life quality New York. London: Plenum.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Behavioral Measurement Database Services. (2011). Health and Psychosocial Instruments. Retrieved December 14, 2011, from http://www.bmdshapi.com/index.html

  • Bertalanffy, L. (1968). General systems theory. New York: Braziller.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradburn, N. M. (1969). Affect balance scale. Chicago: Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, F. B., & Veroff, J. (1984). Dimensions of subjective mental health in American men and women. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 25, 116–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Busseri, M. A., & Sadava, S. W. (2011). A review of the tripartite structure of subjective well-being: implications for conceptualization, operationalization, analysis, and synthesis. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 15(3), 290–314. doi:10.1177/1088868310391271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camfield, L., Guillen-Royo, M., & Velazco, J. (2010). Does needs satisfaction matter for psychological and subjective wellbeing in developing countries: a mixed-methods illustration from Bangladesh and Thailand. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11(4), 497–516. doi:10.1007/s10902-009-9154-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., & Rodgers, W. L. (1976). The quality of American life. New York: Russell Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campion, J., & Nurse, J. (2007). A dynamic model for wellbeing. Australasian Psychiatry, 15, S24–S28. doi:10.1080/10398560701701106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlsson, M., Hamrin, E., & Lindqvist, R. (1999). Psychometric assessment of the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LSQ) and a comparison of a randomised sample of Swedish women and those suffering from breast cancer. Quality of Life Research, 8, 245–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, H. (2010). Research synthesis and meta-analysis: A step-by-step approach (4th ed., Vol. 2). Los Angeles: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbin, C., & Pangrazi, R. (2001). Toward a uniform definition of wellness: a commentary. President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest, 3(15), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, R. A. (1993). The Comprehensive Quality of Life Scale: Adult. 4th Edition (ComQol-A4). from http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/acqol/instruments/comqol-scale/

  • Cummins, R. A. (1996). The domains of life satisfaction: an attempt to order chaos. Social Indicators Research, 38, 303–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, R. A. (1997). Assessing quality of life. In R. I. Brown (Ed.), Quality of life for people with disabilities (second ed.). United Kingdom: Stanley Thornes (Publishers) Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, R. A., Gullone, E., & Lau, A. L. D. (2002). A mode of subjective well-being homeostasis: The role of personality. In E. Gullone & R. A. Cummins (Eds.), The universality of subjectivy wellbeing indicators a multi-disciplinary and multi-national perspective (Vol. 16). Dordrecht, Boston, London: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). Satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., Thrash, T. M., & Murayama, K. (2011). A longitudinal analysis of self-regulation and well-being: avoidance personal goals, avoidance coping, stress generation, and subjective well-being. Journal of Personality, 79(3), 643–674. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2011.00694.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endicott, J., Nee, J., Harrison, W., & Blumenthal, R. (1993). Quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction questionnaire. Pharmacology Bulletin, 29, 321–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrans, C. E., & Powers, M. J. (1985). Quality of life index: development and psychometric properties. Advances in Nursing Science, 8(1), 15–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frisch, M. B., Cornell, J., Villanueva, M., & Retzlaff, P. J. (1992). Clinical validation of the quality of life inventory: a measure of life satisfaction for use in treatment planning and outcome assessment. Psychological assessment, 4(1), 92–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golding, B. (2011). Older men’s wellbeing through community participation in Australia. International Journal of Men’s Health, 10(1), 26–44. doi:10.3149/jmh.1001.26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henrich, G., & Herschbach, P. (2000). Questions on life satisfaction (FLZM): a short questionnaire for assessing subjective quality of life. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 16(3), 150–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jasnoski, M. L., & Schwartz, G. E. (1985). A synchronous systems model for health. American Behavioral Scientist, 28(4), 468–485. doi:10.1177/000276485028004004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jovanovic, V. (2011). Personality and subjective well-being: one neglected model of personality and two forgotten aspects of subjective well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(5), 631–635. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2010.12.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kedenberg, D. (1980). Modified quality of life scale. Quality of Life Scale: A preliminary analysis, 11, 599–605.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiefer, R. A. (2008). An integrative review of the concept of well-being. Holistic Nursing Practice, 22(5), 244–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P. M., Redner, J. E., & Seeley, J. R. (1991). The relationship between life satisfaction and psychosocial variables: new perspectives. Elmford: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDowell, I. (2006). Measuring health: a guide to rating scales and questionnaires. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • McHorney, C. A. P., Johne, W. J. P., & Anastasiae, R. (1993). The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36): II. Psychometric and clinical tests of validity in measuring physical and mental health constructs. Medical Care, 31(3), 247–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahan, E., & Estes, D. (2011). Hedonic versus eudaimonic conceptions of well-being: evidence of differential associations with self-reported well-being. Social Indicators Research, 103(1), 93–108. doi:10.1007/s11205-010-9698-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmore, E., & Luikart, C. (1972). Health and social factors related to life satisfaction. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 13, 68–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, D. L., Danis, M., Southerland, L. I., & Hong, G. (1988). Quality of life following intensive care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 3, 218–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petch-Levine, D., Petch-Levine, D., Cureton, V. Y., Canham, D., & Murray, M. (2003). Health practices of school nurses. The Journal of School Nursing, 19(3), 273–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T. (1995). Perceived Well-Being Scale–Revised. Reliability and validity of the Perceived Well-Being Scale–Revised.

  • Roberts, R. E., Pascoe, G. C., & Attkisson, C. C. (1983). Relationship of service satisfaction to life satisfaction and perceived well-being. Evaluation and Program Planning, 6, 373–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schutte, N. S., Thorsteinsson, E. B., Hine, D. W., Foster, R., Cauchi, A., & Binns, C. (2010). Experiential and rational processing styles, emotional intelligence and wellbeing. Australian Journal of Psychology, 62(1), 14–19. doi:10.1080/00049530903312865.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seeman, J. (1989). Toward a model of positive health. American Psychologist, 44(8), 1099–1109. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.44.8.1099.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senol-Durak, E., & Durak, M. (2011). The mediator roles of life satisfaction and self-esteem between the affective components of psychological well-being and the cognitive symptoms of problematic internet use. Social Indicators Research, 103(1), 23–32. doi:10.1007/s11205-010-9694-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sireci, S. G. (1998). Gathering and analyzing content validity data. Educational Assessment, 5(4), 299–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sousa, K. H., & Chen, F. F. (2002). A theoretical approach to measuring quality of life. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 10(1), 47–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, A. L., Hays, R. D., & Ware, J. E., Jr. (1988). The MOS short-form general health survey: reliability and validity in a patient population. Medical Care, 26(7), 724–732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sumerlin, J. R. (1997). Self-actualization and hope. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 12, 1101–1110.

    Google Scholar 

  • The WHOQOL Group. (1998). Development of the world health organization WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment. Psychological Medicine, 28, 551–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valimaki, M., Leino-Kilpi, H., Gronroos, M., Dassen, T., Gasull, M., Lemonidou, C., & Benedicta, M. (2004). Self-determination in surgical patients in five European countries. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 36(4), 305–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veit, C. T., & Ware, J. E., Jr. (1983). The structure of psychological distress and well-being in general populations. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(5), 730–742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, N. K., Mattson, M. E., Furberg, C. D., & Elinson, J. (Eds.). (1984). Assessment of quality of life in clinical trials of cardiovascular therapies. New York: Le Jacq.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S. (2010). Analysing wellbeing: a framework for development practice. Development in Practice, 20(2), 158–172. doi:10.1080/09614520903564199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization WHO. (1948). Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, June 19–22, 1946; signed on July 22, 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, 2: 100) and entered into force on April 7, 1948. “Constitution of the World Health Organization, 1948.” In Basic Documents, 15th Edn. Geneva, Switzerland.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Ervin Taylor, Carla Fider, Dominick Sturz, Lorraine Thomas, and one other for categorizing the domains as described in the third phase of this research. We would also like to thank the school of public health for funding the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nichol Hall Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA

    Sherma J. Charlemagne-Badal

  2. Nichol Hall Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA

    Jerry W. Lee

  3. Nichol Hall Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Population Medicine, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 24951 North Circle Drive, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA

    Terry L. Butler & Gary E. Fraser

Authors
  1. Sherma J. Charlemagne-Badal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jerry W. Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Terry L. Butler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Gary E. Fraser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sherma J. Charlemagne-Badal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Charlemagne-Badal, S.J., Lee, J.W., Butler, T.L. et al. Conceptual Domains Included in Wellbeing and Life Satisfaction Instruments: A Review. Applied Research Quality Life 10, 305–328 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-014-9306-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-014-9306-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation