Subjective Well-Being: The Convergence and Stability of Self-Report and Non-Self-Report Measures

ABSTRACT The validity of self‐report measures of subjective well‐being (SWB) was examined and compared with non‐self‐report measures using a sample of 136 college students studied over the course of a semester. A principal axis factor analysis of self‐ and non‐self‐report SWB measures revealed a sin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of personality 1993-09, Vol.61 (3), p.317-342
Main Authors: Sandvik, Ed, Diener, Ed, Seidlitz, Larry
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
College students
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Happiness
Life satisfaction
Measures
Personality
Personality. Affectivity
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Psychometrics
Self image
Self-perception
Social research
Subjective wellbeing
Validity
Well-being
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Summary:ABSTRACT The validity of self‐report measures of subjective well‐being (SWB) was examined and compared with non‐self‐report measures using a sample of 136 college students studied over the course of a semester. A principal axis factor analysis of self‐ and non‐self‐report SWB measures revealed a single unitary construct underlying the measures. Conventional single‐item and multi‐item self‐report measures correlated highly with alternative measures, with theoretical correlates of SWB, and with a principal axis factor underlying five non‐self‐report measures of well‐being. Comparisons of family versus friend informant reports demonstrated the considerable cross‐situational consistency and temporal stability of SWB. Evidence of the discriminant validity of the measures was provided by low correlations of the various SWB measures with constructs theoretically unrelated to well‐being. It was concluded that conventional self‐report instruments validly measure the SWB construct, and that alternative, non‐serf‐report measures are useful for providing a comprehensive theoretical account of happiness and life satisfaction.
ISSN:0022-3506
1467-6494
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1993.tb00283.x