Technique 1.151     Happiness Questionnaire (General)

Introduction
This questionnaire will give you a snapshot of your current level of happiness; regularly answering the questions/statements can give a comparison of your happiness levels over time.
This is based on the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire that was developed by psychologists - Michael Argyle and Peter Hills (Oxford University).
Answer each statement/question by ticking the appropriate box using the following scale:

As some statements are phrased positively and others negatively, read them carefully. However, it is best to record your immediate response rather than to  deliberate on each statement.
Questionnaire (29 statements)
1. You don't feel particularly pleased with the way you are *i .

2. You are intensely interested in other people.

3. You feel that life is very rewarding.

4. You have very warm feelings towards almost everyone.

5. You really wake up feeling really rested*i .

6. You're not particularly optimistic about the future*i.

7. You find most things amusing.

8. You are always committed and involved.

10. You do not think the world is a good place*i

11. You laugh a lot.

12. You are well satisfied about everything in your life.

13. You don't think you look attractive*i.

14. There is a gap between what you would like to do and what you have done*i.

15. You are very happy

16. You find beauty in some things.

17. You always have a cheerful impact on others.

18. You can find time for everything you want to do.

19. You feel that you are not especially in control of your life*i.

20. You feel you are able to take on anything.

21. You feel fully mentally alert.

22. You often experience joy and elation.

23. You don't find it easy to make decisions*i.

24. You don't have a particular sense of meaning and purpose in your life*i .

25. You feel you have a great deal of energy.

26. You usually have a good influence on events.

27. You don't have fun with other people*i.

28. You don't feel particularly healthy*i.

29. You don't have particularly happy memories of the past*i.

Notes
i) Reverse your score , ie Notes
i) Reverse your score, ie
     - if you scored '6', change it to '1'
     - if you scored '5', change it to '2'
     - if you scored 4', change it to '3'
     - if you scored '3', change it to '4'
     - if you scored '2', change it to '5'
     - if you scored '1', change it to '6'
Calculate your score
i) after reversing your score to the statements with *i, add up all numbers of 29 questions (including the 12 statements that are reversed scored)
ii) divide your total score by 29 to give your happiness score.
NB the average person gets a score around 4
IInterpretation

Comments
Rather than compare yourself with other people's core, it can be more beneficial to evaluate how your score changes over time.
(source: Steve Wright, 2008)