Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)

Author of Tool: 

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S.

Key references: 

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71-75.

Pavot, W. G., Diener, E., Colvin, C. R., & Sandvik, E. (1991). Further validation of the Satisfaction with Life Scale: Evidence for the cross-method convergence of well-being measures. Journal of Personality Assessment, 57, 149-161.

Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (1993). Review of the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Psychological Assessment, 5, 164-172.

Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (2008). The Satisfaction With Life Scale and the emerging construct of life satisfaction. Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 137–152

Primary use / Purpose: 

The Satisfacation with Life Scale (SWLS) is designed to measure global cognitive judgments of satisfaction with one’s life.

Background: 

The Satisfacation with Life Scale (SWLS) is a short 5-item instrument designed to measure global cognitive judgments of satisfaction with one’s life. Each question is rated on a seven point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The scale usually requires only about one minute of a respondent’s time. It has been translated into over 20 languages, all translations are available on Dr. Diener’s website (linked below).

Keywords: 

• Anxiety
• Family
• Pain

Web link to tool: 

Satisfaction with Life Scale

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 

https://dx.doi.org/10.13072/midss.101