Wellbeing measures – emotions, energy, and functioning
This page contains information about two measures used to measure wellbeing more broadly including positive emotions and functioning.
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMBS)
About: Developed in the UK, based on an Aotearoa New Zealand developed scale (the Affectometer 2).
Original intended use: Epidemiological studies.
What it measures: Positive emotions and psychological functioning over the past 2 weeks. General wellbeing screening only, does not screen for specific conditions or assess if people meet diagnostic criteria.
Who it’s for: Adults and adolescents (13+) in the general population.
Number of items: 14.
Example of items: I’ve been feeling optimistic about the future.
Response type: Frequency rated on a scale.
Administration: Can be self-completed by people. Takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Used in large population studies in Aotearoa New Zealand? No, but there are plans to add it to the New Zealand Health Survey alongside the K10 in future.
Versions: A shorter seven item scale is available.
World Health Organization Five Wellbeing Index (WHO-5)
About: Developed by the WHO as a brief screening tool for mental wellbeing.
Original intended use: Epidemiological studies, especially for comparisons across countries and cultures.
What it measures: Psychological wellbeing including positive feelings, happy emotions, and energy in the past 2 weeks. General wellbeing screening only, does not screen for specific conditions or assess if people meet diagnostic criteria.
Who it’s for: Children (9 and over) and adults in the general population.
Number of items: 5.
Example of item: I have felt cheerful and in good spirits.
Response type: Frequency rated on a scale.
Administration: Can be self-completed by people. Takes less than 2 minutes.
Used in large population studies in Aotearoa New Zealand? Yes, collected by Statistics NZ and used in various other wellbeing studies.
Versions: No other versions.
