Are you happy ? Take this little happiness test to assess your level of satisfaction with life. It was designed about 30 years ago and is still used by researchers, academics and polling institutes around the world. In addition, it takes less than 5 minutes.
To get to the heart of the matter, I invite you now to carry out the test of happiness*, proposed by Edward Diener, a psychologist at the University of Illinois (disappeared in 2021). His work on well-being and happiness had strongly influenced, at the end of the 1990s, the birth of the current of positive psychology.
You are 5 minutes from happiness
This test, developed in 1985, offers you an overall assessment of your quality of life based on criteria that you determine yourself. It is very simple to make because it only includes five affirmations. It will only take you 5 minutes : the result is therefore almost immediate.
According to Diener’s model, subjective well-being (happiness) is determined by three components: positive emotions, negative emotions and level of satisfaction with one’s life.
Despite its age, this tool remains relevant because these three components are relatively independent of each other. For example, the satisfaction in life does not necessarily correspond to the balance between the emotions.
How to do the happiness test?
For each of the following statements, indicate how you agree with these using the following grading scale:
- +1 if you strongly disagree
- +2 if you strongly disagree
- +3 if you moderately disagree
- +4 if you neither agree nor disagree
- +5 if you moderately agree
- +6 if you largely agree
- +7 if you totally agree
here are the 5 test questions happiness :
- In general, my life corresponds closely to my ideals
- My living conditions are excellent
- I am satisfied with my life
- So far I got the important things I wanted out of life
- If I could start my life over, I wouldn’t change a thing
Your results on the happiness test
Your score is less than 10
You are very dissatisfied with your present life. Whatever the reason for the low level of satisfaction, do not hesitate to call on those around you (a friend or family member, a psychologist or another adviser) to improve it.
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Your score is in the 10-14 bracket
You are generally dissatisfied with your life. If the dissatisfaction is a response to a recent event you will likely return to a higher level of satisfaction over time. However, if low levels of satisfaction are chronic, some changes would be desirable – both in attitudes and thought patterns, and probably also in activities.
Your happiness test score is in the 15-19 range
You have moderate but significant problems in several areas of life, or several areas that are doing well but one area in which you are experiencing a significant problem.
Your score is in the 20-24 range
This level of satisfaction corresponds to the average in economically developed countries. The majority of people are generally satisfied but would like to be even more so by making changes in their lives.
Your score is in the 25-29 range
You love life. Your level of satisfaction is higher than the average for people in economically developed countries. For you, life is good and the main areas of your life are going well – work or studies, family, friends, hobbies and personal development.
Your score on the test of happiness is greater than 29
You love your life very much. She’s not perfect, but things are going as well as they can. Growth and challenges may be part of the reason why she satisfies you.
Comments from the author of the test
According Edward Dienerthem social relations are one of the most important influences on life satisfaction. People with a high satisfaction score tend to have family members and/or friends who are close and supportive, while those without close friends and family are more likely to be dissatisfied.
An important factor is also work or studies. When a person enjoys their work, paid or unpaid, and finds it useful, it contributes to satisfaction. Another factor is performance in an important role such as that of relative or of Grand parent. Other factors are the personal developmentlearning, leisure, health.
To get to make progress in relation to important goals for oneself is a factor that can greatly influence satisfaction.
(*) This test is titled “The Satisfaction with Life Scale” available here in French).
