Short Happiness and Affect Research Protocol – SHARP
Measures subjective well-being and happiness through recent affect and long-term life experiences.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Short Happiness and Affect Research Protocol – SHARP was developed by Stones, M. J., Kozma, A., Hirdes, J., Gold, D., Arbuckle, T., & Kolopack, P. (1996). It is designed to measure Subjective Well-being. The scale is intended for use with Adults and older adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 12 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Recent Positive Affect, Recent Negative Affect, Long-Term Positive Experience, Long-Term Negative Experience.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Positive Affect | 1,2,6 | 3 |
| Recent Negative Affect | 3,4,5 | 3 |
| Long-Term Positive Experience | 7,8,12 | 3 |
| Long-Term Negative Experience | 9,10,11 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous Yes/No format.
The scale includes 6 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from -6 to 6. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Happiness / High Distress: -6 – -2
- Moderate Happiness: -1 – 2
- High Happiness: 3 – 6
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 3 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.