Article 61: Use and Scoring Methods of the Life Satisfaction Rating Scale (LSR)

3. Life Satisfaction Rating Scale (LSR)

The Life Satisfaction Rating Scale (LSR) is a commonly used tool for assessing life satisfaction among older adults. The total sample consisted of 177 adults aged 50 and over, including 91 men and 86 women. 50 participants scored above average, 55 below average, and 72 above average. The mean LSR score for these 177 participants was 17.8 ± 4.6. The LSIA score for the 92 key participants was 12.4 ± 4.4, and the LSIB score was 15.5 ± 4.7.

The scale authors considered the consistency between the LSIA and LSR to be only moderate. Differences between men and women, and between young and old, were relatively small; the scale scores were significantly correlated with the social status of the participants (r = 0.21–0.41). After modification, items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the LSIA comprised a more useful scale: the Life Satisfaction Index Z, or LSIZ for short (Wood, Wylie, and Sheafor, 1969).

Life Satisfaction Rating Scale (LSR)

Table A. Passion and Indifference

5. Talks enthusiastically about several activities and social interactions. Feels that the "present" is the best time of their life. Enjoys doing things and even finds pleasure in staying at home. Enjoys making new friends and pursuing self-improvement. Has enthusiasm for many areas of life.

4. Has enthusiasm, but it's limited to one or two specific interests, or to a particular phase. Shows disappointment or anger when things go wrong and might prevent them from actively enjoying life. Plans ahead, even for very short periods.

3. Detached from life, seemingly deriving little pleasure from their activities. Seeking ease and limited participation. May be completely isolated from many activities, things, or people.

2. They believe that most of life is monotonous and may complain of feeling tired. They are bored with many things. Even when participating in an activity, they hardly experience any meaning or enjoyment.

1. Life is like a routine, and you think there's nothing worth doing.

Table B. Determination and Indomitable Spirit

5. A relentless fighting spirit: Preferring to bleed rather than bow down. A fighting spirit: Resisting to the end, never giving up. A positive personality: Able to bear both good and bad, doing one's best. Unwilling to change the past.

4. Able to face reality. "I have no complaints about my experiences," "I am always ready to take responsibility," "As long as you look, you will surely find the beautiful side of life." Don't mind life's difficulties, but don't exaggerate them either. "One must lose something to gain something."

3. Self-description: "I have climbed to the top and fallen into the bottom. Sometimes I am on the top and sometimes I am at the bottom." It reveals the feeling of being punished by both external and internal forces when facing difficulties in life.

2. Feeling that I'm not getting enough rest and therefore not doing things as well as I should be, and that my life is completely different now than when I was 45, and is getting worse and worse. "I work hard, but I get nothing in return."

1. Talking about the blows they couldn't bear (external punishment) and repeatedly blaming themselves (internal punishment). Overwhelmed by life.

Table C. Goal Achievement

5. Feeling that you have accomplished everything you wanted to do. You have achieved or are about to achieve your life goals.

4. Feeling some regret about missed opportunities in life. "Perhaps I should have seized those opportunities better." Nevertheless, still feeling that I have accomplished quite successfully in everything I wanted to do in life.

3. Opportunities lost and opportunities seized are equally divided. If I could start my life over, I would rather do something different and perhaps receive more education.

2. Regret over missed opportunities, but satisfied with one's achievements in a particular field (perhaps one's profession).

1. Feeling like you've lost most of life's opportunities.

Table D. Self-Concept

5. Feeling like you're at your best. "I'm doing things better than ever before," "There's never been a better time." Believing you're intelligent, perfect, and attractive, and that you're important to others. Feeling entitled to do whatever you want.

4. I feel luckier than most people. I am confident in adapting to life's various hardships. "Retirement is just changing what I do," and I can handle any health issues that arise correctly. I feel entitled to do whatever I want. "I can do whatever I want without overworking myself." I feel I can manage my relationship with my surroundings well.

3. Believes you are competent in at least one area, such as your job, but doubts your ability to excel in others. Recognizes you have lost the energy of your youth, but is able to accept reality. Feels less important, but doesn't mind too much. Feels you have gained and given. Feels a general decline in physical condition with age, but not a severe one. Considers your health to be above average.

2. Feeling looked down upon by others, often feeling despair when talking about getting old, and trying to resist the ravages of time.

1. Feeling old, useless, or nearing the end of one's life, leading to self-deprecation. "I've become a burden to others."

Table E. Emotional State

5. "This is the best time of my life." She is almost always cheerful and optimistic. To outsiders, her happiness may seem somewhat detached from reality, but it doesn't seem like she's putting on an act.

4. Find happiness in life, know where happiness lies, and express it. There are many characteristics that seem to belong to youth, usually normal and optimistic emotions.

3. Like a peaceful ship moving slowly, some unpleasantness is neutralized by a positive mood. Overall, the emotion is neutral to positive, but occasionally it may show impatience.

2. Desire for peace and tranquility. Overall neutral to negative emotions. Mild melancholy.

1. Pessimistic, complaining, in pain, feeling lonely, depressed most of the time, and sometimes losing one's temper when interacting with people.

Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA)

The following statements address different feelings people have about life. Please read the following statements and mark "Agree" if you agree, "Disagree" if you disagree, or "?" if you are unsure. Please answer each question.

1. When I got older, I found that things seemed to be better than I had imagined. (A)

2. Compared to most people I know, I have been better at seizing opportunities in life. (A)

3. This is the most depressing period of my life. (D)

4. I am just as happy now as I was when I was young. (A)

5. My life could have been happier than it is now. (D)

6. This is the best time of my life. (A)

7. Most of what I do is tedious and monotonous. (D)

8. I anticipate experiencing some interesting and enjoyable things in the future. (A)

9. Most of the things I do are fun and enjoyable. (A)

10. I feel old and a little tired. (D)

11. I do feel I'm getting old, but I'm not bothered by it. (A)

12. Looking back, I feel quite content. (A)

13. Even if I could change my past, I wouldn't want to change anything. (A)

14. Compared to my peers, I have made more foolish decisions. (D)

15. Compared to other people my age, I look younger. (A)

16. I have already made plans for what I need to do a month or even a year from now. (A)

17. Looking back, there are many things I wanted but didn't get. (D)

18. Compared to others, I have failed far too many times. (D)

Life Satisfaction Index B (LSIB)

(with rating guidelines)

Please feel free to express your opinions on the following questions:

1. What is the biggest advantage of your age?

2...... Positive answers

0... There is no benefit whatsoever.

2. What are your plans for the next 5 years? How do you anticipate changes in your life?

2...improved, or remained unchanged.

1. ...Unpredictable; "anything is possible."

0......goes bad

3. What is the most important thing in your life right now?

2. Anything outside of oneself, or a pleasant interpretation of the future.

1. "Maintain the status quo," meaning to stay healthy or employed.

0......"Living" itself, or other pessimistic or dissatisfied interpretations

4. Have you ever worried that you can't do what people expect of you-that you can't meet their expectations?

2......Never worried

1. I'm slightly worried.

0......worried

5. If you could do whatever you want, where would you most like to live (country name)?

2......Current Location

0......anywhere else

6. How often do you feel lonely?

2......Never before

1......sometimes

0......frequently

7. How much time do you feel aimless in your life?

2......Never before

1......sometimes

0......frequently, very frequently

8. Would you prefer to spend more time with your close friends or more time alone in the future?

2......It's good as it is now.

1. I spend more time with my good friends.

0......I spend more time alone.

9. How many unfortunate things do you currently encounter in your life?

2......almost none

1......some

0......many

10. When you get old, will things be better or worse than you imagined?

2......Okay

1. ...about what I expected

0......not good

11. How satisfied are you with your life?

2......very satisfied

1......Satisfied

0...... Dissatisfied