Short Depression-Happiness Scale – Chinese Version

Description

Currently, in the field of psychiatric assessment, there are many scales that measure depressive symptoms and other psychological issues through self-reporting. Previous research has found that low scores on depression scales may indicate an absence of depression but do not necessarily reflect high levels of happiness. Peterson has also proposed a similar viewpoint, suggesting that health is not merely the absence of depression, but also requires positive emotions and cognitive states. Researchers have developed the Dual-Factor Model of Mental Health (DFM), which advocates for integrating positive indicators such as subjective well-being alongside traditional negative indicators like depression. This model posits that mental health should encompass both the absence of negative aspects (with depression as the core indicator) and the presence of positive aspects (with happiness as the core indicator), also known as the complete mental health state model.

The Short Depression-Happiness Scale (SDHS-C) assesses the positive or negative emotions experienced in the past week using a 4-point Likert scale (1=从未, 2=很少, 3=有时, 4=经常), where higher scores indicate greater feelings of depression and poorer levels of mental health. Below are some statements that individuals can use to describe their feelings over the past week. Please carefully read each statement and mark ‘√’ on the corresponding number, where 1 means “never,” 2 means “rarely,” 3 means “sometimes,” and 4 means “often.”

Authors and Contact Email

Wang Xinqiang, Liao Jingyi, Wang Jing, Zhang Dajun, Liu Mingfan. (Contact email not provided).

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Short Depression-Happiness Scale (SDHS-C) for measuring adult psychological well-being.

Test Year

2021

Administration Method and Scoring

The data was collected through an online platform (Wenjuanxing) in various social groups (QQ or WeChat) across counties and cities in Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces. Each province surveyed 25-34 groups, totaling 121 groups. Group leaders or authorized personnel distributed standardized testing instructions and questionnaires. Volunteers completed the test anonymously and could receive a random prize of approximately 0.5 yuan after completing the test, with one response allowed per IP address. A total of 3108 responses were collected, yielding 3060 valid responses.

Reliability and Validity

Detailed information on the reliability and validity of the SDHS-C is not included in the provided content.

Factors and Subscales

The SDHS-C evaluates experiences of positive or negative emotions and is structured around the dual-factor model which assesses both depressive symptoms and happiness.

Keywords

Short Depression-Happiness Scale, mental health, dual-factor model, subjective well-being, depression, happiness.

Items in Chinese

1. 我对我的生活感到不满意。
2. 我感到很幸福。
3. 我感觉无精打采。
4. 我对自己感到很满意。
5. 我感觉生活是令人愉快的。
6. 我感觉生活是无意义的。

Items in English

1. I feel dissatisfied with my life.
2. I feel very happy.
3. I feel lethargic.
4. I feel satisfied with myself.
5. I feel that life is enjoyable.
6. I feel that life is meaningless.

References

王鑫强,廖静怡,王静,张大均,刘明矾.简明抑郁-幸福感量表中文版测评成年人的效度和信度[J].中国心理卫生杂志,2021,35(01):60-66.