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Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
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The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a short research instrument that captures your subjective appraisal of life satisfaction, a core dimension of overall wellbeing distinct from moment-to-moment mood.

This tool guides you through five statements and converts each seven-point Likert rating into a single total. The score is plotted on a colour-banded gauge so you can instantly see where you sit on the dissatisfaction-to-fulfilment continuum.

People commonly use the SWLS to track personal growth, evaluate coaching or therapy outcomes, or compare life domains over time. *Interpret results alongside professional advice when deeper concerns arise.* **Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.**

Technical Details:

The SWLS totals numerical responses to five global life-evaluation statements. Each response si falls between 1 (“strongly disagree”) and 7 (“strongly agree”). Summing the items yields a 5–35 composite that correlates strongly with broader quality-of-life indices and future happiness projections.

S=∑51si

S is the life-satisfaction total; si is the rating for item i.

TotalInterpretation Band
5 – 9Extremely Dissatisfied
10 – 14Dissatisfied
15 – 19Below Average
20 – 24Average
25 – 29High
30 – 35Very High

Higher bands imply greater overall satisfaction; shifts of three or more points are typically meaningful in longitudinal use.

  • s1–5 – individual item ratings (integer 1-7).
  • S – summed total (integer 5-35).
  • Band – categorical label derived from S.
  • Younger and older adults interpret scale points similarly.
  • Items presume stable reflection over the past few weeks.
  • Transient crises can temporarily depress scores.
  • Cross-cultural measurement invariance holds but minor wording adaptations may be needed.
  • Omitted items reduce validity; the tool prevents submission until all are answered.
  • Uniform extreme responses (all 1 s or 7 s) can mask nuanced changes.
  • Social-desirability bias may nudge scores upward.
  • Very recent major events can skew self-appraisal beyond normal variation.

Diener et al. (1985) introduced the SWLS; multiple meta-analyses confirm high internal consistency (α ≈ 0.85) and temporal stability. Pavot & Diener (2008) review cross-cultural applications.

The calculation uses only non-identifiable self-report data and aligns with GDPR requirements for client-side processing.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Complete the assessment in one smooth flow; it auto-advances once you answer an item.

  1. Press Start Assessment.
  2. Read statement 1 and choose a Likert rating that matches your view.
  3. Repeat for statements 2–5; progress appears above the questions.
  4. Review or change any response by selecting the item in the sidebar list.
  5. View your total, band badge, and interpretive guidance instantly when all five responses are set.

FAQ:

What does my score mean?

Compare your total with the table above; each band reflects a typical percentile in community samples.

How often should I retake it?

Monthly intervals work well for tracking trends; shorter gaps risk capturing only short-term mood swings.

Is my data stored?

No. All calculations occur locally in your browser, and no responses leave your device.

Can I share my result?

You can copy the total or take a screenshot; sharing is purely at your discretion.

Does a high score guarantee happiness?

A high SWLS indicates present satisfaction but does not predict future emotional states or remove the need for ongoing self-care.

Glossary:

SWLS
Five-item life-satisfaction scale.
Likert Scale
Ordered response format from strong disagreement to strong agreement.
Composite Score
Sum of individual item ratings.
Band
Categorical interpretation range.
Cross-sectional
Data collected at a single point in time.