A New Subjective Well-Being Index Using Anchored Best-Worst Scaling

46 Pages Posted: 17 Jan 2023

See all articles by Paul F. Burke

Paul F. Burke

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - School of Marketing

John Rose

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - UTS Business School

Simon Fifer

Community and Patient Preference Research Pty Ltd (CaPPRe)

Daniel Masters

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - UTS Business School

Stefan Kuegler

NSW New South Wales (Government)

Ariana Cabrera

Community and Patient Preference Research Pty Ltd (CaPPRe)

Date Written: January 10, 2023

Abstract

Subjective well-being (SWB) describes an individual’s life evaluation. Direct elicitation methods for SWB via rating scales do not force individuals to trade-off among life domains. This research offers a new method to measure SWB using Anchored Best- Worst Scaling (ABWS). Respondents nominate their most and least satisfactory areas with respect to 11 SWB domains and areas of most and least importance. We extend BWS to elicit anchoring points to provide an absolute measure of domain satisfaction. When ABWS measures of domain satisfaction and importance are combined, a robust measure of individual SWB is produced. Results from surveying 2500 Australians reveals ABWS improves discrimination amongst domains in terms of importance and satisfaction, and identifies differences in SWB, such as by location and age. The method presents a diagnostic tool to focus services, policy, and initiatives in areas to most impact wellbeing (i.e., low satisfaction; high importance).

Note:
Funding declaration: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Conflict of Interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Keywords: subjective well-being, importance weighting, best-worst scaling, quality of life

Suggested Citation

Burke, Paul F. and Rose, John and Fifer, Simon and Masters, Daniel and Kuegler, Stefan and Cabrera, Ariana, A New Subjective Well-Being Index Using Anchored Best-Worst Scaling (January 10, 2023). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4322054 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4322054

Paul F. Burke

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - School of Marketing ( email )

P.O. Box 123
Broadway, NSW 2007
Australia

John Rose

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - UTS Business School ( email )

Simon Fifer (Contact Author)

Community and Patient Preference Research Pty Ltd (CaPPRe)

Daniel Masters

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) - UTS Business School

Stefan Kuegler

NSW New South Wales (Government)

Ariana Cabrera

Community and Patient Preference Research Pty Ltd (CaPPRe)

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