The satisfaction with life scale (SWLS): Psychometric properties in a non-psychiatric medical outpatients sample

Abstract

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) was developed in the U.S.A. to represent a multi-item scale for the overall assessment of life satisfaction as a cognitive-judgemental process, rather than for the measurement of specific satisfaction domains (e.g. health, energy). Psychometric evaluations of the SWLS have been restricted to non-patient population samples comprising either American students (young adults) or elderly persons. The present study attempted to extend the applicability of the SWLS by examining specific reliability and validity aspects in a different cultural context (The Netherlands) with adult medical outpatients. In line with previous American findings, reliability figures were found to be quite favourable. In addition, SWLS scores were shown to be predictably associated with other measures of subjective well-being, including the General Health Questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90-R, and with health attitudes. SWLS scores were not affected by sex, age, educational level, health insurance status or social desirability, but, as could be expected, clearly so by marital status. The need for further studies with different groups was emphasized.