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Tags: Psychology , Psychometrics
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Life satisfaction is a broad judgement about how your life is going overall. It helps you pause, take stock, and notice whether daily choices align with what matters most.

You rate five plain statements about your life using whole numbers from 1 to 7, so the answers add to a single total from 5 to 35. That total falls into clear bands that describe current satisfaction with life scale score interpretation.

Results appear immediately with a short explanation and highlights to keep or improve. For a quick example, a total of 26 usually reads as clearly positive, while a total near 14 suggests room to adjust routines and priorities.

Answers reflect how you felt over the last few weeks, so big events can nudge scores. Try to answer in a quiet moment and be consistent about the timeframe when you repeat the check.

This tool provides informational estimates and does not substitute professional advice.

Technical Details:

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a five item self report measure of overall life satisfaction. Each item is rated on a seven point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The measure is a snapshot of recent experience rather than a diagnosis.

The computation is a simple sum of the five item ratings to produce a total score. A mean item score adds context by showing the average agreement per statement. Variation across items can be read through the median and the standard deviation of the five ratings.

Results are organized into descriptive bands from very low to very high. Crossing into a higher band suggests greater satisfaction; values close to a boundary should be read cautiously as small changes can move the band label.

Comparisons are most meaningful within a person over time when the timeframe and conditions are similar. Group comparisons can be misleading without consistent sampling and context.

S = ∑ i=1 5 si
M = S 5
Symbol Meaning Unit/Datatype Source
si Item rating for statement i (five items) integer 1–7 Input
S Total score across the five items integer 5–35 Derived
M Mean item score decimal, 2 dp Derived
SD Standard deviation across the five ratings decimal, 2 dp Derived
Worked example.
S= 6+6+5+5+4 =26
M= 265 ≈5.20

A total of 26 falls in the High band and typically reflects clear satisfaction with life.

Threshold Band Lower Bound Upper Bound Interpretation Action Cue
Extremely Dissatisfied 5 9 Very low satisfaction Seek support and plan small, controllable steps
Dissatisfied 10 14 Somewhat dissatisfied Set one achievable goal and review soon
Below Average 15 19 Slightly below average Adjust routines and protect time for priorities
Average 20 24 Typical satisfaction Keep nurturing what works
High 25 29 Clearly positive Maintain helpful habits and connections
Very High 30 35 Very positive Capture strategies and share with others

Units, precision, and rounding

  • Item inputs are integers 1–7; totals are integers 5–35.
  • Mean and standard deviation display to two decimal places.
  • Decimal separator is a dot.
  • Standard deviation uses the population formula with N equal to five.

Validation and bounds

Field Type Min Max Step/Pattern Error Text
Item response Radio integer 1 7 Step 1 None; chart shows after all five are answered
Answer code 5 characters — — Digits 1–7 or “-” per position Invalid codes are ignored

I/O formats and encoding

Input Accepted Families Output Encoding/Precision Rounding
Five item ratings Integers 1–7 Total, mean, band Mean and SD to two decimals Nearest 0.01
Answer code Five characters Reconstructs answers “1–7” or “-” per item Not applicable

Privacy and compliance

No data is transmitted or stored server side. Responses remain on your device. A charting layer is fetched from a public source when first loaded.

Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.

Assumptions and limitations

  • Reflects a recent period, not lifetime satisfaction.
  • Heads‑up Single sums can miss domain specific differences.
  • Social desirability can bias ratings upward.
  • Large life events can temporarily swing results.
  • Comparisons across groups require consistent context.
  • Translation or wording changes alter meaning.
  • Not designed for children or diagnostic use.
  • Population thresholds are descriptive rather than prescriptive.

Edge cases and error sources

  • All items identical reduce SD to near zero.
  • Leaving items blank prevents the chart and exports.
  • Invalid answer codes are ignored on load.
  • Mean and SD use two decimals and round half away from zero.
  • Population SD divides by five, not by four.
  • Very low or high totals sit near band edges.
  • Blocked network may prevent the gauge from rendering.
  • Clipboard access can fail if the page denies permission.
  • Export buttons activate only after all five items are answered.
  • Small screens may compress axis labels on the gauge.

Step‑by‑Step Guide:

Assess life satisfaction and read the result in a single pass.

  1. Read each statement and consider the last few weeks.
  2. Select a number from 1 to 7.
  3. Answer all five items to see your total and band.
  4. Review the highlights, lower items, and next steps.
  5. Copy or download your answers if you want a record.
  6. Low total? Consider talking with a trusted person.

Example: 6, 6, 5, 5, 4 → total 26 → High band.

You now have a concise readout to compare with future check ins.

FAQ:

Is my data stored?

No. Responses stay on your device and are used only to compute the score and render the display.

No server storage or accounts.
How accurate is the score?

It sums five ratings into a single total and band. Treat it as a useful indicator rather than a diagnosis, and look for patterns across repeated checks.

Short scales trade nuance for speed.
What units or formats are used?

Items use integers 1 to 7. The total ranges from 5 to 35. Mean and standard deviation display with two decimals.

Whole numbers in, concise decimals out.
Can I use this without a connection?

The score and text rely on local computation. The gauge needs a one time library load; after that, it normally works without a connection.

Blocking external scripts can hide the gauge.
How do I export a DOCX?

Answer all five items, then select the DOCX export control in the answers section. The file includes your total, band, and responses.

Exports are available after completion.
What does a borderline result mean?

Scores near a boundary can shift with small changes. Focus on the pattern of items and repeat under similar conditions to see a clearer trend.

Use context, not a single label.

Troubleshooting:

  • No chart visible — allow the page to load external scripts once and reload.
  • Export buttons disabled — answer all five items.
  • Copy CSV fails — grant clipboard permission or use the download option.
  • Totals look off — confirm each item uses a whole number from 1 to 7.
  • Labels overlap — rotate the device or widen the window.
  • Shared link shows different answers — ensure the five character code matches your selections.

Advanced Tips:

  • Repeat monthly under similar conditions for steadier comparisons.
  • Note one small action tied to a lower scoring item.
  • Track the mean item score to summarize trends at a glance.
  • Use the item list to revisit answers before finalizing.
  • Treat extremes with care and read the explanation text.
  • Save a copy of responses when you plan to compare later.

Glossary:

Life satisfaction
Overall appraisal of one’s life as a whole.
SWLS
Satisfaction With Life Scale, a five item measure.
Total score (S)
Sum of the five item ratings.
Mean (M)
Average item score, equal to S divided by five.
Standard deviation
Spread of item ratings around the mean.
Band
Descriptive range for interpreting totals.