Using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)
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Coaches, before working with clients, have you thought of measuring their current life satisfaction levels? Theo Tsaousides, PhD says measuring satisfaction with life is like using a thermometer to measure body temperature. The thermometer will tell you if your client is feverish or frozen. Let me share why integrating the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) at the outset of your engagement can be transformative for you and your clients.
What is the SWLS?
The SWLS is a life satisfaction tool developed by Ed Diener and colleagues in 1985. The SWLS is a concise, five-item instrument designed to measure global cognitive judgments of one’s life satisfaction. Unlike fleeting emotional states, life satisfaction encompasses a broader, more stable assessment of one’s overall sense of wellbeing. It asks respondents to consider their lives holistically, reflecting on their standards and accomplishments.
The Reliability of the SWLS
Research and application over the years have affirmed the SWLS as a highly reliable tool. Its strength lies not just in its simplicity but in its ability to capture a nuanced view of an individual’s perception of their life satisfaction. This reliability makes it a great starting point for coaching, as it quantifies your client’s overall contentment with life. Understanding this baseline can guide the coaching process, helping set goals to improve or maintain one’s life satisfaction.
Why Use the SWLS in Coaching?
Integrating coaching assessments like the SWLS into your practice offers several benefits. Firstly, it encourages clients to introspect and articulate their feelings about their life’s current state. This reflection is crucial for setting meaningful goals. Secondly, by measuring life satisfaction at the beginning of your engagement, you establish a benchmark against which you can measure progress. It’s not just about identifying areas of discontent but also recognising and leveraging strengths to foster growth and satisfaction.
Additionally, life satisfaction is closely linked to overall wellbeing, including mental and physical health, relationships, and work satisfaction. A holistic approach to coaching, informed by an understanding of a client’s life satisfaction, can lead to more comprehensive and sustainable outcomes.
When to Use the SWLS
The best time to administer the SWLS is at the beginning of your coaching relationship. This initial assessment provides a snapshot of your client’s current state, offering a foundation to build your coaching strategy. Additionally, it can be beneficial to reassess life satisfaction at the end of the coaching process to help track progress, adjust goals, and reinforce the impact of your coaching interventions. Starting in 2025, I will administer the assessment as part of my new client onboarding process.
Final Thoughts
As coaches, we aim to facilitate meaningful changes in our clients’ lives. By clearly understanding their life satisfaction, we position ourselves to guide them more effectively towards their aspirations. The SWLS is more than just a measure; it’s a conversation starter, a reflection tool, and a roadmap that helps navigate the coaching journey towards greater fulfilment.
