6533b85afe1ef96bd12b8da5

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Internal and external validity of the WHO Well-Being Scale in the elderly general population

Reinhard HeunPer BechMartin BurkartWolfgang Maier

subject

AdultMalemedicine.medical_specialtyPsychometricsHealth StatusPopulationTest validityWorld Health OrganizationExternal validityQuality of lifeGermanymedicineHealth Status IndicatorsHumansPsychiatryeducationAgedAged 80 and overPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesAnalysis of Varianceeducation.field_of_studyMental DisordersReproducibility of ResultsPsychiatry and Mental healthPsychological well-beingScale (social sciences)Well-beingQuality of LifeFemalePsychologyClinical psychology

description

The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the validity of the WHO Well-Being Scale in elderly subjects and (ii) to assess the influence of demographic variables on subjective quality of life. A sample of 254 elderly subjects completed the 22-item WHO Well-Being Scale. The scale had an adequate internal and external validity. However, the short 10-item and 5-item versions were equally valid. Low scores indicating decreased well-being were related to the presence of a psychiatric disorder or, independently, to poor living conditions. The Well-Being Scale and their short versions would appear to be useful instruments for identifying subjects with reduced subjective quality of life.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
1999-03-01Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb00973.x