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The Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Subjective Well-Being Inventory in the General Korean Population: Psychometric Properties and Normative Data

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  • Young Ho Yun

    (Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
    Department of Biomedical Informatics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
    Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea
    Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea)

  • Ye Eun Rhee

    (Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea)

  • Eunkyo Kang

    (Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea)

  • Jin-ah Sim

    (Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
    Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Korea)

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Subjective Well-Being Inventory (SWBI) in a nationally representative sample in Korea. A total of 1200 people completed the semi-structured, self-reported questionnaire, which included five items from the SWLS and 14 items from the SWBI. All items and the total score of both the SWLS and the SWBI showed high internal consistency (with Cronbach’s alphas of 0.886 and 0.946, respectively). The item-total correlation values for both measures were in the ranges of 0.71–0.75 and 0.65–0.80, respectively. There were positive correlations between the SWLS and SWBI ( r = 0.59, p = 0.01). The SWLS, SWBI and global well-being (GWB) scores were positively correlated with the McGill Quality of Life subscales ( p = 0.01) but negatively correlated with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ( p = 0.01). Participants under 50 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.69) and those in rural areas (aOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.28–2.07) had higher scores on the SWLS than other participant groups. Participants who were under 50 years old (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.12–1.92), were male (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.04–1.71), were married (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.13–2.01), lived in rural areas (aOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.35–3.91), or had higher incomes (aOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02–1.65) showed higher SWBI scores. This study showed that the SLWS and SWBI have good psychometric properties and could be applicable to Korea.

Suggested Citation

  • Young Ho Yun & Ye Eun Rhee & Eunkyo Kang & Jin-ah Sim, 2019. "The Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Subjective Well-Being Inventory in the General Korean Population: Psychometric Properties and Normative Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1538-:d:227304
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jo-Tzu Chu & Malcolm Koo, 2023. "Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem in Older Adults Engaging in Formal Volunteering: A Cross-Sectional Study in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Oscar F. Garcia & Maria C. Fuentes & Enrique Gracia & Emilia Serra & Fernando Garcia, 2020. "Parenting Warmth and Strictness across Three Generations: Parenting Styles and Psychosocial Adjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Douglas Rhein & Alexander Nanni, 2022. "Assessing Mental Health Among Thai University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    5. Mariola Głowacka & Grażyna Dykowska & Monika Gasik & Marzena Humańska & Mateusz Cybulski, 2024. "Satisfaction with Life and Health Behaviours in Pre-Seniors and Seniors: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-14, April.

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