Further validation of Single-Item Self-Report Measure of Satisfaction with Life
Authors: Paweł Andrzej Atroszko, Artur Sawicki, Aleksandra Mąkinia, Bartosz Atroszko
Abstract: Valid, reliable and easily applied measures of well-being are essential in large surveys concerning public health, education and psychology. General satisfaction with life is often measured in such surveys. Previous studies showed that single-item self-report measure of satisfaction with life could be sufficient in terms of validity and reliability in certain research contexts. To provide more data on its psychometric properties convergent validity with Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985) was investigated. Furthermore, correlation pattern of both measures with criterion variables was investigated. A total of 195 students took part in the study. When correction for attenuation was included, correlation between single-item measure of satisfaction with life and SWLS was .68. Correlations of both measures with criterion variables, including sex, well-being indicators and personality, did not differ significantly statistically. Issues related to convergent and divergent validity of single-item satisfaction with life measure are discussed. Due to its convenience of use compared to multiitem scales, the use of single-item self-report measure in large surveys in which many other variables have to be measured should be considered. Nevertheless, future studies on large samples should provide more data on convergent validity as well as in relation to other facets of validity, such as predictive validity.
Publ: CER Comparative European Research 2017: Proceedings, Research Track of the 7th Biannual CER Comparative European Research Conference