MANUAL
for
LIFE SATISFACTION SCALE
(L-S SCALE)
Dr. (Mrs.) Promila Singh
Reader
School of Studies in Psychology
R. S. Shukla University, Raipur
and
George Joseph
Durg
Katel Ashok Pai Memorial
Institute
Allied Health Sciences (Affiliated to of
Vinodini" Buildie RGUHS)
g:s E.
i
Fstd. 1971 Phone: 364926|
NATIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL CORPORATION
BHARGAVA BHAVAN, 4/230, KACHERI GHAT, AGRA - 283 004 (U P) INDIA
MANUAL
FOR
LIFE SATISFACTION SCALE
INTRODUCTION:
Recently, interest in the quality of work life has been stimulated by claims of wide spread worker
dissatisfaction. There is now an emerging trend to identify and improve job characteristics that contribute
to the quality of work life. This interest in the quality of work life is in keeping with a growing concern
for general quality of life or life satisfaction. Life satisfaction refers to a person's general happiness, freedom
from tension, interest in life etc. According to Chadha et al., (1993) 'the term quality of life (usually measured
as satisfaction) indicates general well being'. It has been defined as the function of the physical, psychological
and social well-being. In other words, quality of life is the physical fitness (actual and perceived by an individual)
and psychological heath (low on loneliness, helplessness and high on life satisfaction) as well as the leisure
time activities and social support network derived from the environment by an individual.
Lio et al., (1990) analysed nine life satisfaction variables
involving satisfaction with relations, hobbies,
place of residence, satisfying life (happy or dull), health condition, physical fitness and health, and overall
satisfaction with one's life situation.
It has been found that research in the life satisfaction area has been
plagued with
methodological
shortcomings. Life satisfaction has typically been measured using one-or-two item scales. t was thus decided
to construct a life satisfaction scale based on the
following dimensions
(a) Taking pleasure in everyday activities.
(b) Considering life meaningful,
(c) Holding a positive self-image,
(d) Having a happy and optimistic outlook,
(e) Feeling success in achieving goals.
These dimensions can be referred to as "current" life satisfaction ( Neugarten et al, 1968). Thus,
the present scale was constructed by considering the above five dimensions of life sat sfaction.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCALE
Fifty statements, based on the above dimensions were prepared. They were subjected to expert
judgement where every item was required to be passed on its relevance to the content and criterion
of Life Satisfaction.Experts were requested to content validate the scale items. This was done
with a view to establish content validity of the scale items. On the basis of their opinion and
comments, 10 items had to be reframed and 10 were deleted for overall ambiguity. Alist of 40
items were then finalised. The items were prepared in Hindi and English both. For doing item
analysis 100 S's (executives and non-executives) were randomly selected from ihilai Steel Plant.
Their responses were scored by using Likert's summated rating system. Since all the items were
positively worded, a numerical weightage of 5 was assigned to the response category Strongly
agree, 4 to agree, 3 to undecided, 2 to disagree and 1 to strongly disagree categories of
responses. A composite score for each subject was worked out for this measure.
Item analysis was done by using extreme group method. The 100 protocols of Ss were arranged
in the
descending order on the strength of their total scores and the top 25 a id bottom 25 protocols
were separated to represent the high and the low groups respectively. The item wise means and
standard deviations were worked out for extreme groups and to see item wise mean difference was
tested with the help of 't' test. The 't values reveal that out of 40 items, 35 items were turned
out to be statistically valid. Thus, the final scale of LS constituted 354 positively worded items.
PURPOSE
which
satisfaction of the employees
to measure the life
The Life Satisfaction Scale intends be administered to
activities of the employee. The tool may conveniently
include the all round
non-production organizations.
in context of industries or other
the employees of every level operating
ScORING
scale-- Always,
each item is to be rated on the five-point
The scale consists of 34 items, The
as 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1.
Sometimes, Seldom and Never and which are respectively scored
Often, of ones life satisfaction
round activities and thus give a global picture
items relate to the individuals all
will be the level of life satisfaction.
level. The higher the score on the life satisfaction scale the higher
The items were prepared in Hindi
and English both.
STANDARDISATION
drawn
executives and 300 non-executives)
The scale was standardised on 600 employees (300
from Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai. The range of age was between 25 to 55 years.
RELIABILITY
lapse of 8 weeks turned out to be 0.91.
The test-retest reliability computed after a
VALIDITY
correlation between the scores
To determine validity of the Life Satisfaction Scale coefficients of
was computed. The coefficient
of the present scale and Life Satisfaction Scale of Alam and Singh (1971)
each
of correlation was found to be 0.83. The scale also possesses face and content validity since
item was judged by experts.
NORMS
Norms have been prepared for the Life Satisfaction Scale which is as follows:
satistacition Level Range oi Scores
High 136-175
Average 81-135
Low -80
REFERENCES
Alam, O.A. and Srivastava Ramji (1972) Life Satisfaction Scale. National Psychological
Corporation, Agra-2
Chadha, N.K.Easwarmorthy, M. and Priya Kanwara. (1993). Quality of life among aged. Indian
Journal of Psychology, 68 (1 & 2) 15-21.
Lio, Kuo-Tsai., Ronald. D, Sylvia and Gregory Brunk (1990), Non-work Factors and Job
Satisfaction Revisited. Human Relations, 43 (1) 77-86.
Neugarton, B., M.Havighurst. and S.Tobin. (1968), Personality and patterns of aging in B.L.
Neugarten, ed., Middle Age and Aging (Chicago, IL University of Chicago Press), 173-180.
