A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being

Abstract This study aims to identify the conceptualisation of overall well-being used for well-being assessment through a review of the characteristics and key components and/or dimensions of well-being scales as presented in current literature. Scopus and Web of Science were searched, and thematic...

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Main Authors: Wei Zhang, Kieran Balloo, Anesa Hosein, Emma Medland
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-10-01
Series:BMC Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02074-0
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author Wei Zhang
Kieran Balloo
Anesa Hosein
Emma Medland
author_facet Wei Zhang
Kieran Balloo
Anesa Hosein
Emma Medland
author_sort Wei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study aims to identify the conceptualisation of overall well-being used for well-being assessment through a review of the characteristics and key components and/or dimensions of well-being scales as presented in current literature. Scopus and Web of Science were searched, and thematic analysis was conducted inductively to analyse the identified components within scales, as well as the types of well-being these scales measure. 107 peer-reviewed articles from 2003 to 2022 were included, and 69 well-being scales were identified covering nine areas of well-being. Four final themes were identified as the foundational dimensions of overall well-being: hedonic; eudaimonic; physical health; and generic happiness. Notably, these 69 scales are mainly validated and adopted in the Western context. ‘4 + N’ frameworks of overall well-being are recommended for assessing overall well-being. This review provides researchers with a synthesis of what types of well-being have been measured and which measures have been used to assess these types of well-being for which research participants. Non-Western-based well-being research is called for that incorporates a broader range of research participants and cultural contexts in contributing to a more inclusive understanding of well-being.
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spelling doaj-art-6c6cfbab73ba4bcc85445e426207ea7c2025-08-20T02:11:49ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-10-0112112910.1186/s40359-024-02074-0A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-beingWei Zhang0Kieran Balloo1Anesa Hosein2Emma Medland3Surrey Institute of Education, University of SurreySurrey Institute of Education, University of SurreySurrey Institute of Education, University of SurreySurrey Institute of Education, University of SurreyAbstract This study aims to identify the conceptualisation of overall well-being used for well-being assessment through a review of the characteristics and key components and/or dimensions of well-being scales as presented in current literature. Scopus and Web of Science were searched, and thematic analysis was conducted inductively to analyse the identified components within scales, as well as the types of well-being these scales measure. 107 peer-reviewed articles from 2003 to 2022 were included, and 69 well-being scales were identified covering nine areas of well-being. Four final themes were identified as the foundational dimensions of overall well-being: hedonic; eudaimonic; physical health; and generic happiness. Notably, these 69 scales are mainly validated and adopted in the Western context. ‘4 + N’ frameworks of overall well-being are recommended for assessing overall well-being. This review provides researchers with a synthesis of what types of well-being have been measured and which measures have been used to assess these types of well-being for which research participants. Non-Western-based well-being research is called for that incorporates a broader range of research participants and cultural contexts in contributing to a more inclusive understanding of well-being.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02074-0HedonicEudaimonicPhysical healthGeneric happinessWell-beingThematic analysis
spellingShingle Wei Zhang
Kieran Balloo
Anesa Hosein
Emma Medland
A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being
BMC Psychology
Hedonic
Eudaimonic
Physical health
Generic happiness
Well-being
Thematic analysis
title A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being
title_full A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being
title_fullStr A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being
title_full_unstemmed A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being
title_short A scoping review of well-being measures: conceptualisation and scales for overall well-being
title_sort scoping review of well being measures conceptualisation and scales for overall well being
topic Hedonic
Eudaimonic
Physical health
Generic happiness
Well-being
Thematic analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02074-0
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