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Subjective Happiness Scale
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About Subjective Happiness Scale
Scale Name
Subjective Happiness Scale
Author Details
Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S
Translation Availability
Background/Description
The Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), a cornerstone in the study of happiness, emerged from a desire to measure this elusive feeling in a concise and reliable way. Developed by Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S in 1999, the SHS aimed to address limitations of existing measures that focused on either fleeting emotional states or specific life domains. Instead, it sought to capture a broader sense of overall happiness, how individuals perceive their own well-being.
The SHS accomplishes this through four simple questions. Two ask individuals to directly rate their happiness compared to others and as an absolute feeling. The remaining two present contrasting descriptions of happy and unhappy individuals, inviting respondents to identify with whichever resonates more. Using a 7-point Likert scale, a composite score is calculated, with higher scores signifying greater levels of self-reported happiness.
This intuitive, user-friendly design has propelled the SHS to widespread use in both research and self-reflection. Its brevity makes it ideal for inclusion in various studies, while its accessibility invites individuals to explore their own happiness levels. The SHS has been validated in numerous studies across diverse populations, solidifying its reliability and construct validity.
However, the SHS doesn’t claim to paint the entire picture of well-being. It captures a single dimension, subjective happiness, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of this complex concept. Nevertheless, the SHS remains a valuable tool, offering a snapshot of personal happiness and informing further research into its determinants and potential interventions. Whether employed in research or self-discovery, the SHS provides a straightforward yet insightful glimpse into the world of happiness, urging us to delve deeper into our own unique experiences and the quest for personal well-being.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
Administering the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) is a straightforward process designed to be simple and accessible. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:
Materials:
- Questionnaire: You can find the SHS questionnaire online or in various psychology textbooks. Make sure it includes the four standard questions and the 7-point Likert scale for each.
- Pen or pencil: Participants will need something to mark their responses.
Instructions:
- Explain the purpose: Briefly explain to participants that the questionnaire is about understanding their happiness. Assure them that their responses are confidential and anonymous.
- Present the questions: Read each question aloud clearly or provide the questionnaire for individuals to read at their own pace. Encourage them to consider each question carefully before responding.
- Clarify scale: Explain the meaning of the 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers, and encourage participants to choose the response that best reflects their genuine feelings.
- Answer questions: Be available to answer any questions participants may have about the questionnaire or the study.
- Collect responses: Once everyone has completed the questionnaire, collect them in a way that ensures anonymity.
Reliability and Validity
The Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) has become a prominent tool in understanding and measuring happiness. But how reliable and valid is it? Let’s dive into the evidence to assess its trustworthiness.
- Internal consistency: The SHS boasts excellent internal consistency, meaning its items consistently measure the same underlying concept of subjective happiness. Studies have reported Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.8, indicating strong internal coherence.
- Test-retest reliability: The SHS shows good test-retest reliability, with scores remaining relatively stable over time when individuals retake the scale within a reasonable timeframe (e.g., weeks or months).
- Convergent validity: The SHS correlates positively with other established measures of happiness and well-being, such as the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Positive Affect Schedule. This suggests it captures similar aspects of happiness as other validated tools.
- Discriminant validity: The SHS shows low correlations with measures of negative states like depression and anxiety, further supporting its specificity in measuring happiness.
Limitations to consider:
- Self-reported bias: The SHS relies on individuals’ subjective assessment of their own happiness, potentially introducing bias from memory, mood, or social desirability.
- Single dimension: The SHS captures one aspect of happiness (global subjective happiness), not encompassing the multifaceted nature of well-being.
Available Versions
04-Items
Reference
Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46(2), 137–155. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006824100041
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SHS?
The SHS is a 4-item questionnaire designed to measure overall subjective happiness. It’s widely used in research and self-reflection.
Who developed it?
The SHS was developed by psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky in 1999.
How does it work?
Each item uses a 7-point Likert scale to assess your happiness directly or through self-identification with happy/unhappy descriptions.
How do I interpret my score?
There are no specific cut-offs, but higher scores generally indicate greater happiness. Average scores range from 4.5 to 5.5, depending on population.
Is the SHS reliable?
Yes, it has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, meaning scores are consistent within one session and over time.
Is the SHS valid?
Yes, it shows good convergent and discriminant validity, meaning it correlates with other happiness measures but not with negative states like depression.
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