Scholarlink

Aim <p>National-level monitoring of mental well-being is increasingly important, but existing measures vary widely, hindering comparability. This study aimed to identify a suitable multicomponent measure for regular nationwide surveillance and cross-national comparability by incorporating recommendations on measuring well-being.</p> Subject and methods <p>We surveyed 2614 participants, balanced across age (18–74&#xa0;years), sex, and education, to explore the added value of combining the seven-item Short Warwick–Edinburgh Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS) with three widely used single-item measures of mental well-being (happiness, life satisfaction, and meaning of life). These reflect hedonia, eudaimonia, and interpersonal well-being. We also examined the factor structure of this composite measure.</p> Results <p>The analysis confirmed a three-factor structure for SWEMWBS and suggested a fourth factor combining the three single items, with a higher-order general well-being factor. The results supported the use of a composite score for mental well-being, as well as separate analyses of hedonic and eudaimonic components. Meaning of life had the highest added value, indicating potential distinctiveness.</p> Conclusion <p>This study demonstrates that a comprehensive, yet economical, measure of mental well-being can be applied to large-scale assessments. Combining SWEMWBS with the three common single-item measures enhances comparability while providing a more nuanced understanding of well-being. The results supported the use of a composite score for mental well-being, as well as separate analyses of hedonic and eudaimonic components, which is particularly relevant for routine public health surveillance. Regular public surveillance of mental well-being can inform public health strategies and track changes over time.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Measuring mental well-being at the population level: evidence for extending the short Warwick–-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale with single-item indicators

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月9日

查看全文
  • Caroline Cohrdes,
  • Stephan Junker

摘要

Aim

National-level monitoring of mental well-being is increasingly important, but existing measures vary widely, hindering comparability. This study aimed to identify a suitable multicomponent measure for regular nationwide surveillance and cross-national comparability by incorporating recommendations on measuring well-being.

Subject and methods

We surveyed 2614 participants, balanced across age (18–74 years), sex, and education, to explore the added value of combining the seven-item Short Warwick–Edinburgh Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS) with three widely used single-item measures of mental well-being (happiness, life satisfaction, and meaning of life). These reflect hedonia, eudaimonia, and interpersonal well-being. We also examined the factor structure of this composite measure.

Results

The analysis confirmed a three-factor structure for SWEMWBS and suggested a fourth factor combining the three single items, with a higher-order general well-being factor. The results supported the use of a composite score for mental well-being, as well as separate analyses of hedonic and eudaimonic components. Meaning of life had the highest added value, indicating potential distinctiveness.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a comprehensive, yet economical, measure of mental well-being can be applied to large-scale assessments. Combining SWEMWBS with the three common single-item measures enhances comparability while providing a more nuanced understanding of well-being. The results supported the use of a composite score for mental well-being, as well as separate analyses of hedonic and eudaimonic components, which is particularly relevant for routine public health surveillance. Regular public surveillance of mental well-being can inform public health strategies and track changes over time.