Description

Background:
The Life Satisfaction Index-version A (LSIA) is a 20-item questionnaire providing a cumulative score acknowledged as a valid index of quality of life. A Modification of the instrument, the LSI-Z, has 13 items. Dimensions measured include: Zest for life; resolution and fortitude; congruence between desired and achieved goals; high physical, psychological, and social self-concept; happy, optimistic mood tone.

Total scale score based on number of subject agreements with specific responses to individual items (possible range for LSI-A with one point given for each agreement: 0-20; possible range for LSI-Z with 2 points given for each agreement: 0-26)

.Developers:
BL Neugarten, RJ Havighurst, SS Tobin

Copyright:
1961

References:
Adams DL. Analysis of a life satisfaction index. J Gerontol 1969;24;470-474.

Neugarten BL, Havighurst RJ, Tobin SS. The measurement of life satisfaction. J Gerontol 1961;16;134-143.

Sexton DL, Munro BH. Impact of a husband’s chronic illness (COPD) on the spouse’s life. Res Nurs Health 1985;8,83-90.

Sexton DL, Munro BH. Living with a chronic illness: The experience of women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). W J Nurs Res 1988;10:26-44.

Wood V, Wylie ML, Sheafor B. An analysis of a short self-report measure of life satisfaction: Correlation with rater judgments. J Gerontol 1969;24:465- 469.

Reliability:
The LSI has been shown to generate cronbach alpha’s equaling 0.74
“Consistency” of measurement reported to be best in people over age 65.

Clinical:
Quality of Life