Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in: Quality of Life Research 12/2016

04-06-2016

The validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in adolescents and a comparison with single-item life satisfaction measures: a preliminary study

Auteur: Veljko Jovanović

Gepubliceerd in: Quality of Life Research | Uitgave 12/2016

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Purpose

The validity of the life satisfaction measures commonly used among adults has been rarely examined in adolescent samples. The present research had two main goals: (1) to evaluate the structural validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) among adolescents and to test measurement invariance across gender; (2) to compare the criterion and convergent validity of the SWLS and single-item life satisfaction measures among adolescents.

Methods

Three samples of Serbian adolescents were recruited for the present research. Study 1 (N = 481, M age = 17.01 years) examined the structure of the SWLS via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and evaluated measurement invariance of the SWLS across gender by a multi-group CFA. Study 2 (N = 283, M age = 17.34 years) and Study 3 (N = 220, M age = 16.73 years) compared the convergent validity of the SWLS and single-item life satisfaction measures.

Results

The results of Study 1 supported the original one-factor model of the SWLS among adolescents and provided evidence for strong measurement invariance of the SWLS across gender. The findings of Study 2 and Study 3 showed that the SWLS and single-item measures were equally valid and strongly associated (r = .734 in Study 2 and r = .668 in Study 3). No substantial differences in correlations with school success and well-being indicators were found between the SWLS and single-item measures.

Conclusions

Our findings support the use of the SWLS among adolescents and indicate that single-item life satisfaction measures perform as well as the SWLS in adolescent samples.
Bijlagen
Alleen toegankelijk voor geautoriseerde gebruikers
Voetnoten
1
The age range of the present research was limited to 16–18 years in order to maximize the comparability of the results across three studies. In Study 1, we excluded 61 participants aged 14 and 15 years, whereas 19-year-old participants were excluded from Study 2 (a total of 17 participants) and Study 3 (a total of 15 participants). Analyses of the full sample are provided as Supplementary Material. It is important to note that no substantial differences were found by restricting the sample in this way.
 
Literatuur
1.
go back to reference Diener, E. (2012). New findings and future directions for subjective well-being research. American Psychologist, 67, 590–597.CrossRefPubMed Diener, E. (2012). New findings and future directions for subjective well-being research. American Psychologist, 67, 590–597.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Forgeard, M. J. C., Jayawickreme, E., Kern, M. L., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Doing the right thing: Measuring wellbeing for public policy. International Journal of Wellbeing, 1, 79–106. Forgeard, M. J. C., Jayawickreme, E., Kern, M. L., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Doing the right thing: Measuring wellbeing for public policy. International Journal of Wellbeing, 1, 79–106.
3.
go back to reference Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., & Smith, H. E. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125, 276–302.CrossRef Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., & Smith, H. E. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125, 276–302.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75.CrossRefPubMed Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Diener, E., Inglehart, R., & Tay, L. (2013). Theory and validity of life satisfaction scales. Social Indicators Research, 112, 497–527.CrossRef Diener, E., Inglehart, R., & Tay, L. (2013). Theory and validity of life satisfaction scales. Social Indicators Research, 112, 497–527.CrossRef
6.
go back to reference Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (2008). The Satisfaction With Life Scale and the emerging construct of life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 137–152.CrossRef Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (2008). The Satisfaction With Life Scale and the emerging construct of life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 3, 137–152.CrossRef
7.
go back to reference Chinni, M., & Hubley, A. M. (2014). A research synthesis of validation practices used to evaluate the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). In B. D. Zumbo & E. K. H. Chan (Eds.), Validity and validation in social, behavioral, and health sciences (pp. 35–67). New York: Springer. Chinni, M., & Hubley, A. M. (2014). A research synthesis of validation practices used to evaluate the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). In B. D. Zumbo & E. K. H. Chan (Eds.), Validity and validation in social, behavioral, and health sciences (pp. 35–67). New York: Springer.
8.
go back to reference Bai, X., Wu, C., Zheng, R., & Ren, X. (2011). The psychometric evaluation of the Satisfaction with Life Scale using a nationally representative sample of China. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 183–197.CrossRef Bai, X., Wu, C., Zheng, R., & Ren, X. (2011). The psychometric evaluation of the Satisfaction with Life Scale using a nationally representative sample of China. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 183–197.CrossRef
9.
go back to reference Clench-Aas, J., Nes, R. B., Dalgard, O. S., & Aaro, L. (2011). Dimensionality and measurement invariance in the Satisfaction with Life Scale in Norway. Quality of Life Research, 20, 1307–1317.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Clench-Aas, J., Nes, R. B., Dalgard, O. S., & Aaro, L. (2011). Dimensionality and measurement invariance in the Satisfaction with Life Scale in Norway. Quality of Life Research, 20, 1307–1317.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
10.
go back to reference Glaesmer, H., Grande, G., Braehler, E., & Roth, M. (2011). The German version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS): Psychometric properties, validity, and population based norms. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 27, 127–132.CrossRef Glaesmer, H., Grande, G., Braehler, E., & Roth, M. (2011). The German version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS): Psychometric properties, validity, and population based norms. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 27, 127–132.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Moksnes, U. K., Løhre, A., Byrne, D. G., & Haugan, G. (2014). Satisfaction with life in adolescents: Evaluation of the factor structure in a Norwegian sample. Social Indicators Research, 118, 657–671.CrossRef Moksnes, U. K., Løhre, A., Byrne, D. G., & Haugan, G. (2014). Satisfaction with life in adolescents: Evaluation of the factor structure in a Norwegian sample. Social Indicators Research, 118, 657–671.CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Di Fabio, A., & Gori, A. (in press). Measuring adolescent life satisfaction: Psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a sample of Italian adolescents and young adults. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. Di Fabio, A., & Gori, A. (in press). Measuring adolescent life satisfaction: Psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a sample of Italian adolescents and young adults. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment.
13.
go back to reference Bendayan, R., Blanca, M. J., Fernández-Baena, J. F., Escobar, M., & Trianes, M. V. (2013). New empirical evidence on the validity of Satisfaction with Life Scale in early adolescents. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 29, 36–43.CrossRef Bendayan, R., Blanca, M. J., Fernández-Baena, J. F., Escobar, M., & Trianes, M. V. (2013). New empirical evidence on the validity of Satisfaction with Life Scale in early adolescents. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 29, 36–43.CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Silva, A. D., Taveira, M. C., Marques, C., & Gouveia, V. V. (2015). Satisfaction with Life Scale among adolescents and young adults in Portugal: Extending evidence of construct validity. Social Indicators Research, 120, 309–318.CrossRef Silva, A. D., Taveira, M. C., Marques, C., & Gouveia, V. V. (2015). Satisfaction with Life Scale among adolescents and young adults in Portugal: Extending evidence of construct validity. Social Indicators Research, 120, 309–318.CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Proctor, C. L., Linley, P. A., & Maltby, J. (2009). Youth life satisfaction measures: A review. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 128–144.CrossRef Proctor, C. L., Linley, P. A., & Maltby, J. (2009). Youth life satisfaction measures: A review. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 4, 128–144.CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Shek, D. T. L., & Li, X. (2016). Perceived school performance, life satisfaction, and kopelessness: A 4-year longitudinal study of adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 126, 921–934.CrossRefPubMed Shek, D. T. L., & Li, X. (2016). Perceived school performance, life satisfaction, and kopelessness: A 4-year longitudinal study of adolescents in Hong Kong. Social Indicators Research, 126, 921–934.CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Piko, B. F., & Keresztes, N. (2006). Physical activity, psychosocial health, and life goals among youth. Journal of Community Health, 31, 136–145.CrossRefPubMed Piko, B. F., & Keresztes, N. (2006). Physical activity, psychosocial health, and life goals among youth. Journal of Community Health, 31, 136–145.CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Virta, E., Sam, D. L., & Westin, C. (2004). Adolescents with Turkish background in Norway and Sweden: A comparative study of their psychological adaptation. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 45, 15–25.CrossRefPubMed Virta, E., Sam, D. L., & Westin, C. (2004). Adolescents with Turkish background in Norway and Sweden: A comparative study of their psychological adaptation. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 45, 15–25.CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Rey, L., Extremera, N., & Pena, M. (2011). Perceived emotional intelligence, self-esteem and life satisfaction in adolescents. Psychosocial Intervention, 20, 227–234.CrossRef Rey, L., Extremera, N., & Pena, M. (2011). Perceived emotional intelligence, self-esteem and life satisfaction in adolescents. Psychosocial Intervention, 20, 227–234.CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Garcia, D. (2011). Two models of personality and well-being among adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 50, 1208–1212.CrossRef Garcia, D. (2011). Two models of personality and well-being among adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 50, 1208–1212.CrossRef
21.
go back to reference Moksnes, U. K., Lohre, A., Lillefjell, M., Byrne, D. G., & Haugan, G. (2016). The association between school stress, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms in adolescents: Life satisfaction as a potential mediator. Social Indicators Research, 125, 339–357.CrossRef Moksnes, U. K., Lohre, A., Lillefjell, M., Byrne, D. G., & Haugan, G. (2016). The association between school stress, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms in adolescents: Life satisfaction as a potential mediator. Social Indicators Research, 125, 339–357.CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Hultell, D., & Gustavsson, J. P. (2008). A psychometric evaluation of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Swedish nationwide sample of university students. Personality and Individual Differences, 44, 1070–1079.CrossRef Hultell, D., & Gustavsson, J. P. (2008). A psychometric evaluation of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Swedish nationwide sample of university students. Personality and Individual Differences, 44, 1070–1079.CrossRef
23.
go back to reference Shevlin, M., Brunsden, V., & Miles, J. N. V. (1998). Satisfaction with Life Scale: Analysis of factorial invariance, mean structures and reliability. Personality and Individual Differences, 25, 911–916.CrossRef Shevlin, M., Brunsden, V., & Miles, J. N. V. (1998). Satisfaction with Life Scale: Analysis of factorial invariance, mean structures and reliability. Personality and Individual Differences, 25, 911–916.CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Swami, V., & Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2009). Psychometric evaluation of the Malay Satisfaction with Life Scale. Social Indicators Research, 92, 25–33.CrossRef Swami, V., & Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2009). Psychometric evaluation of the Malay Satisfaction with Life Scale. Social Indicators Research, 92, 25–33.CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Tomás, J. M., Gutiérrez, M., Sancho, P., & Romero, I. (2015). Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by gender and age in Angola. Personality and Individual Differences, 85, 182–186.CrossRef Tomás, J. M., Gutiérrez, M., Sancho, P., & Romero, I. (2015). Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by gender and age in Angola. Personality and Individual Differences, 85, 182–186.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Cheung, F., & Lucas, R. E. (2014). Assessing the validity of single-item life satisfaction measures: Results from three large samples. Quality of Life Research, 23, 2809–2818.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Cheung, F., & Lucas, R. E. (2014). Assessing the validity of single-item life satisfaction measures: Results from three large samples. Quality of Life Research, 23, 2809–2818.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
27.
go back to reference Jovanović, V., & Gavrilov-Jerković, V. (in press). The structure of adolescent affective well-being: The case of the PANAS among Serbian adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies. Jovanović, V., & Gavrilov-Jerković, V. (in press). The structure of adolescent affective well-being: The case of the PANAS among Serbian adolescents. Journal of Happiness Studies.
28.
go back to reference Lamers, S. M. A., Westerhof, G. J., Bohlmeijer, E. T., ten Klooster, P. M., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2011). Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67, 99–110.CrossRefPubMed Lamers, S. M. A., Westerhof, G. J., Bohlmeijer, E. T., ten Klooster, P. M., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2011). Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67, 99–110.CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Suldo, S. M., Shaffer, E. J., & Riley, K. N. (2008). A social-cognitive-behavioral model of academic predictors of adolescents’ life satisfaction. School Psychology Quarterly, 23, 56–69.CrossRef Suldo, S. M., Shaffer, E. J., & Riley, K. N. (2008). A social-cognitive-behavioral model of academic predictors of adolescents’ life satisfaction. School Psychology Quarterly, 23, 56–69.CrossRef
30.
go back to reference Vasić, A., Šarčević, D., & Trogrlić, A. (2011). Zadovoljstvo životom u Srbiji [Satisfaction with life in Serbia]. Primenjena psihologija, 2, 151–177. Vasić, A., Šarčević, D., & Trogrlić, A. (2011). Zadovoljstvo životom u Srbiji [Satisfaction with life in Serbia]. Primenjena psihologija, 2, 151–177.
31.
go back to reference Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practices of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press. Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practices of structural equation modeling (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
32.
go back to reference Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.CrossRef Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6, 1–55.CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Van de Schoot, R., Lugtig, P., & Hox, J. (2012). A checklist for testing measurement invariance. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9, 486–492.CrossRef Van de Schoot, R., Lugtig, P., & Hox, J. (2012). A checklist for testing measurement invariance. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9, 486–492.CrossRef
34.
go back to reference Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 14, 464–504.CrossRef Chen, F. F. (2007). Sensitivity of goodness of fit indexes to lack of measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 14, 464–504.CrossRef
35.
go back to reference Kenny, D. A., Kaniskan, B., & McCoach, D. B. (2015). The performance of RMSEA in models with small degrees of freedom. Sociological Methods & Research, 44, 486–507.CrossRef Kenny, D. A., Kaniskan, B., & McCoach, D. B. (2015). The performance of RMSEA in models with small degrees of freedom. Sociological Methods & Research, 44, 486–507.CrossRef
36.
go back to reference Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales (2nd ed.). Sydney: Psychology Foundation. Lovibond, S. H., & Lovibond, P. F. (1995). Manual for the depression anxiety stress scales (2nd ed.). Sydney: Psychology Foundation.
37.
go back to reference Jovanović, V., Gavrilov-Jerković, V., Žuljević, D., & Brdarić, D. (2014). Psihometrijska evaluacija Skale depresivnosti, anksioznosti i stresa–21 (DASS–21) na uzorku studenata u Srbiji [Psychometric evaluation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS–21) in a Serbian student sample]. Psihologija, 47, 93–112.CrossRef Jovanović, V., Gavrilov-Jerković, V., Žuljević, D., & Brdarić, D. (2014). Psihometrijska evaluacija Skale depresivnosti, anksioznosti i stresa–21 (DASS–21) na uzorku studenata u Srbiji [Psychometric evaluation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales–21 (DASS–21) in a Serbian student sample]. Psihologija, 47, 93–112.CrossRef
38.
go back to reference Jovanović, V., Žuljević, D., & Brdarić, D. (2011). Skala depresivnosti, anksioznosti i stresa (DASS-21)—Struktura negativnog afekta kod adolescenata [The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21): The structure of the negative affect in adolescents]. Engrami-Časopis za kliničku psihijatriju, psihologiju i granične discipline, 33, 19–28. Jovanović, V., Žuljević, D., & Brdarić, D. (2011). Skala depresivnosti, anksioznosti i stresa (DASS-21)—Struktura negativnog afekta kod adolescenata [The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21): The structure of the negative affect in adolescents]. Engrami-Časopis za kliničku psihijatriju, psihologiju i granične discipline, 33, 19–28.
39.
go back to reference Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS Scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070.CrossRefPubMed Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS Scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070.CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Mihić, Lj., Novović, Z., Čolović, P., & Smederevac, S. (2014). Serbian adaptation of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS): Its facets and second-order structure. Psihologija, 47, 393–414.CrossRef Mihić, Lj., Novović, Z., Čolović, P., & Smederevac, S. (2014). Serbian adaptation of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS): Its facets and second-order structure. Psihologija, 47, 393–414.CrossRef
42.
go back to reference Keyes, C. L. M., Wissing, M., Potgieter, J. P., Temane, M., Kruger, A., & van Rooy, S. (2008). Evaluation of the mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF) in Setswana-speaking South Africans. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 15, 181–192.CrossRefPubMed Keyes, C. L. M., Wissing, M., Potgieter, J. P., Temane, M., Kruger, A., & van Rooy, S. (2008). Evaluation of the mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF) in Setswana-speaking South Africans. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 15, 181–192.CrossRefPubMed
43.
go back to reference Jovanović, V. (2015). Beyond the PANAS: Incremental validity of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) in relation to well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 86, 487–491.CrossRef Jovanović, V. (2015). Beyond the PANAS: Incremental validity of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) in relation to well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 86, 487–491.CrossRef
44.
go back to reference Jovanović, V. (2015). Structural validity of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form: The bifactor model of emotional, social and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 75, 154–159.CrossRef Jovanović, V. (2015). Structural validity of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form: The bifactor model of emotional, social and psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 75, 154–159.CrossRef
45.
go back to reference Proctor, C. L., Linley, P. A., & Maltby, J. (2009). Youth life satisfaction: A review of the literature. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10, 583–630.CrossRef Proctor, C. L., Linley, P. A., & Maltby, J. (2009). Youth life satisfaction: A review of the literature. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10, 583–630.CrossRef
46.
go back to reference Casas, F., Bello, A., González, M., & Aligué, M. (2012). Personal well-being among Spanish adolescents. Journal of Social Research & Policy, 3, 19–45. Casas, F., Bello, A., González, M., & Aligué, M. (2012). Personal well-being among Spanish adolescents. Journal of Social Research & Policy, 3, 19–45.
47.
go back to reference Yuen, C. Y. M. (2015). Gender differences in life satisfaction and spiritual health among the junior immigrant and local Hong Kong secondary students. International Journal of Children’s Spirituality, 20, 139–154.CrossRef Yuen, C. Y. M. (2015). Gender differences in life satisfaction and spiritual health among the junior immigrant and local Hong Kong secondary students. International Journal of Children’s Spirituality, 20, 139–154.CrossRef
48.
go back to reference Moksnes, U. K., & Espnes, G. A. (2013). Self-esteem and life satisfaction in adolescents—gender and age as potential moderators. Quality of Life Research, 22, 2921–2928.CrossRefPubMed Moksnes, U. K., & Espnes, G. A. (2013). Self-esteem and life satisfaction in adolescents—gender and age as potential moderators. Quality of Life Research, 22, 2921–2928.CrossRefPubMed
Metagegevens
Titel
The validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in adolescents and a comparison with single-item life satisfaction measures: a preliminary study
Auteur
Veljko Jovanović
Publicatiedatum
04-06-2016
Uitgeverij
Springer International Publishing
Gepubliceerd in
Quality of Life Research / Uitgave 12/2016
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-016-1331-5

Andere artikelen Uitgave 12/2016

Quality of Life Research 12/2016 Naar de uitgave