WHO-5 Well-Being Index Calculator

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WHO-5 Well-Being Index Calculator

Please respond to each item regarding how you felt in the last two weeks?

I have felt cheerful in good spirits
I have felt calm and relaxed
I have felt active and vigorous
I woke up feeling fresh and rested
My daily life has been filled with things that interest me
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Hello, fellow well-being enthusiasts! Prepare to submerge into the intriguing ocean of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index calculation. It’s less about rocket science, more about… happiness algebra! Ready? Off we go!

Calculation Formula

The magic formula for the WHO-5 Well-Being Index is:

Score = (raw score - 5) * 4

Where the raw score is the sum of all item scores. Easy peasy, right?

WHO-5 Index Interpretation

Range Interpretation
0-13 Very poor well-being
14-25 Poor well-being
26-38 Moderate well-being
39-50 Good well-being
51-75 Excellent well-being

Calculation Examples

Introducing our imaginary friends Bob, Alice, and Charlie!

Name Raw Score Final Score Calculation
Bob 10 20 (10 – 5) * 4
Alice 15 40 (15 – 5) * 4
Charlie 20 60 (20 – 5) * 4

Calculation Methods

Method Advantage Disadvantage Accuracy
Self-reporting Easy to administer Subject to bias Moderate
Clinician-administered More objective Requires trained staff High

Evolution of WHO-5 Index

Year Major Changes
1998 Introduction of WHO-5 Index
2005 Update in scoring methodology

Limitations

  1. Subjective nature: The index is based on self-reported data, which may not always be accurate.
  2. Cultural differences: Interpretation of well-being can vary across cultures.
  3. Time of day: People may report different levels of well-being at different times of the day.

Alternatives

Method Pros Cons
SF-36 Comprehensive Time-consuming
EQ-5D Simple Less detailed

FAQs

  1. What is the WHO-5 Well-Being Index? The WHO-5 Well-Being Index is a questionnaire that measures subjective well-being.
  2. How is the WHO-5 score calculated? The score is calculated by subtracting 5 from the raw score and then multiplying the result by 4.
  3. What is a good WHO-5 score? A score of 51 or above is considered excellent.
  4. Is the WHO-5 Index reliable? Yes, the Index has been found to be a reliable measure of well-being.
  5. Can the WHO-5 Index diagnose depression? No, the Index is not intended to be a diagnostic tool.
  6. Can I use the WHO-5 Index for children? Yes, the Index is suitable for individuals of all ages.
  7. Who developed the WHO-5 Index? The Index was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
  8. How frequently should I use the WHO-5 Index? This depends on your needs, but it can be used regularly to monitor well-being.
  9. What does the WHO-5 Index measure? The Index measures subjective well-being based on five items.
  10. Are there alternatives to the WHO-5 Index? Yes, there are several alternatives such as the SF-36 and EQ-5D.

Resources

  1. The WHO website

    You can find a wealth of information about the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and other health-related topics.

  2. The CDC website

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides resources on a wide range of health topics, including mental health and well-being.