Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI)

Posted: June 6th, 2021

Instructions
Name:
Date:
Measurement assignment
Instructions:
Respond to each of the following questions below. You may add your answers
directly to this document and submit it to D2L. Questions 2-4 can be
answered in a few sentences. Question 1 does not require a written
response. Question 5, a reflection question, requires a longer response. Cites
are not necessary in this assignment. Keep in mind, however, that using
quotes is discouraged.
1. Locate a measure (from the internet or PW Library) you think you
might use in practice and paste a screen shot of it below.
2. What is the measure called? What construct does it measure?
3. How is the measure scored? What does a high score mean? What does
a low score mean? How would you expect a score to change over time
if a client were improving?
4. Pick one question from the measure you posted in question 2. What
kind of rating scale does it use? Explain your reasoning.
5. Discuss how you envision using measurement in your future practice
as a social worker. What is the value of measurement in the context of
the work you hope to do with clients? What will measurement help you
understand, appreciate, or accomplish in your work?

Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), which assesses subjective well-being across life domains like health, relationships and spirituality (Cummins et al., 2003):
[A screenshot of the PWI is pasted here]
The PWI is called the Personal Wellbeing Index. It measures subjective well-being, or how satisfied one feels with their quality of life across key domains.
The PWI uses an 11-point scale (0=completely dissatisfied, 10=completely satisfied) across 7 life domains. A high total score indicates greater life satisfaction, while a low score signals dissatisfaction. Over time with therapeutic support, one would expect improving clients’ scores to gradually increase as various life domains improve.
The PWI uses an 11-point rating scale to assess satisfaction with individual life domains like health and relationships. This type of scale allows for nuanced responses between extremes of satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Measurement can help social workers understand clients’ subjective experiences, track progress, and demonstrate treatment effectiveness (Cummins et al., 2003). However, it is important these tools do not define or reduce clients to mere scores. With care, wisdom and humanity, assessment can illuminate strengths and needs and foster collaboration. Overall, my aim is to apply measurement respectfully, as one part of understanding each unique individual’s journey.
Cummins, R. A., Eckersley, R., Pallant, J., Van Vugt, J., & Misajon, R. (2003). Developing a national index of subjective wellbeing: The Australian unity wellbeing index. Social indicators research, 64(2), 159-190.
Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: Short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social indicators research, 97(2), 143-156.
Prilleltensky, I. (2016). The laughing guide to well-being: Using humor and science to become happier and healthier. Rowman & Littlefield.