Skip to main content
Article
Measuring Well-Being: A Review of Instruments
The Counseling Psychologist
  • Philip J. Cooke, Marquette University
  • Timothy P. Melchert, Marquette University
  • Korey Connor, Marquette University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
28 p.
Publication Date
1-1-2016
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Disciplines
Abstract

Interest in the study of psychological health and well-being has increased significantly in recent decades. A variety of conceptualizations of psychological health have been proposed including hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, quality-of-life, and wellness approaches. Although instruments for measuring constructs associated with each of these approaches have been developed, there has been no comprehensive review of well-being measures. The present literature review was undertaken to identify self-report instruments measuring well-being or closely related constructs (i.e., quality of life and wellness) and critically evaluate them with regard to their conceptual basis and psychometric properties. Through a literature search, we identified 42 instruments that varied significantly in length, psychometric properties, and their conceptualization and operationalization of well-being. Results suggest that there is considerable disagreement regarding how to properly understand and measure well-being. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Comments

Published version. The Counseling Psychologist, Vol. 44, No. 5 (2016): 730-757. DOI. © 2016 Division of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

Citation Information
Philip J. Cooke, Timothy P. Melchert and Korey Connor. "Measuring Well-Being: A Review of Instruments" The Counseling Psychologist (2016) ISSN: 0011-0000
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/timothy-melchert/26/