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The Measurement of Subjective Wellbeing: Item-Order Effects in the Personal Wellbeing Index—Adult

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  • Melissa K. Weinberg

    (Deakin University)

  • Catherine Seton

    (Deakin University)

  • Nikki Cameron

    (Deakin University)

Abstract

When multi-item questionnaires are included in psychological research, many factors can influence the response given. One such factor that has traditionally been overlooked is the potential impact of item-order effects. This paper extends upon the work of Kaplan et al. (J Happiness Stud 14:1443–1458, 2013. doi: 10.1007/s10902-012-9388-5 ) who explored item-order effects in measures of job satisfaction, and applies similar principles to the measurement of life satisfaction, or subjective wellbeing, by exploring item-order effects within the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI; IWBG in Personal Wellbeing Index, 5th edn. Australian Centre on Quality of Life, Deakin University, Melbourne, 2013. http://www.deakin.edu.au/research/acqol/intruments/wellbeing-index/index.php ). In a preliminary study, participants completed the PWI in its standard format (general-specific) and psychometric properties were compared to those who completed the PWI in an alternate format (specific-general). Analyses revealed that the PWI performed adequately for both groups, though there were subtle indications of item-order effects. In a second study, the order of the PWI domains was randomised (random-order) and compared to the standard format (fixed-order). Results revealed lower mean scores and more variation in scores when items were randomised. Overall, the PWI performed as expected for most interrogative analyses. It achieved a single factor solution, no matter the order of items, and the same domains emerged as significant unique predictors of general life satisfaction. The study highlights the importance of exploring item-order effects as part of the psychometric validation procedure, and it is recommended that all new scales be subject to this investigation to reduce measurement error and improve accuracy in psychological assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Melissa K. Weinberg & Catherine Seton & Nikki Cameron, 2018. "The Measurement of Subjective Wellbeing: Item-Order Effects in the Personal Wellbeing Index—Adult," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 315-332, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:19:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9822-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9822-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Cummins & Mark Wooden, 2014. "Personal Resilience in Times of Crisis: The Implications of SWB Homeostasis and Set-Points," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 223-235, February.
    2. Robert Cummins, 2010. "Subjective Wellbeing, Homeostatically Protected Mood and Depression: A Synthesis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Seth Kaplan & Joseph Luchman & Landon Mock, 2013. "General and Specific Question Sequence Effects in Satisfaction Surveys: Integrating Directional and Correlational Effects," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(5), pages 1443-1458, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ifcher, John & Zarghamee, Homa & Goff, Sandra H., 2021. "Happiness in the Lab: What Can Be Learned about Subjective Well-Being from Experiments?," GLO Discussion Paper Series 943, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    2. Andrea Baldin & Trine Bille, 2023. "The lost value for users of cultural institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a life satisfaction approach," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 70(2), pages 257-281, June.

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