Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)
Description: Assess global life satisfaction and does not tap related constructs such as positive affect or loneliness.
Number of Items: 5
| Item | Question Wording | TILDA Variable |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I am satisfied with my life. | mh023 |
| 2 | In most ways my life is close to ideal. | ph735 |
| 3 | The conditions of my life are excellent. | ph736 |
| 4 | I have gotten the important things I want from life. | ph737 |
| 5 | If I could live my life again, I would change almost nothing. | ph738 |
Scoring Method:
7-point Likert scale:
1 = Strongly disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Slightly disagree
4 = Neither disagree nor disagree
5 = Slightly agree
6 = Agree
7 = Strongly agree
A cumulative score is generated with higher scores representing greater levels of life satisfaction (range 5-35).
Scale is typically analysed as a continuous measure.
Descriptive categories proposed by Diener (2006) range from "Extremely Dissatisfied" (5–9) to "Extremely Satisfied" (31–35) [Source]
Citation:
- Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction with Life Scale. Journal of personality assessment, 49(1), 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13
Example TILDA Papers:
- McGarrigle, C. A., Ward, M., & Kenny, R. A. (2023). An investigation of what protective individual-and community-level factors are associated with life satisfaction in middle-aged and older family carers in Ireland. Frontiers in Public Health. 11: 1-11.