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The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire

Instructions


Below are a number of statements about happiness. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each by entering a number in the blank after each statement, according to the following scale:

1 = strongly disagree
2 = moderately disagree
3 = slightly disagree
4 = slightly agree
5 = moderately agree
6 = strongly agree

Please read the statements carefully, because some are phrased positively and others negatively. Don't take too long over individual questions; there are no "right" or "wrong" answers and none of these are trick questions. The first answer that comes into your head is probably the right one for you. If you find some of the questions difficult, please give the answer that is true for you in general or for most of the time. Those statements marked with an 'r' will be scored in reverse.

The Questionnaire

1. I don't feel particularly pleased with the way I am. (r) _____

2. I am intensely interested in other people. _____

3. I feel that life is very rewarding. _____

4. I have very warm feelings towards almost everyone. _____

5. I rarely wake up feeling rested. (r) _____

6. I am not particularly optimistic about the future. (r) _____

7. I find most things amusing. _____

8. I am always committed and involved. _____

9. Life is good. _____

10. I do not think that the world is a good place. (r) _____

11. I laugh a lot. _____

12. I am well satisfied about everything in my life. _____

13. I don't think I look attractive. (r) _____

14. There is a gap between what I would like to do and what I have done. (r) _____

15. I am very happy. _____

16. I find beauty in some things. _____

17. I always have a cheerful effect on others. _____

18. I can fit in (find time for) everything I want to. _____

19. I feel that I am not especially in control of my life. (r) _____

20. I feel able to take anything on. _____

21. I feel fully mentally alert. _____

22. I often experience joy and elation. _____

23. I don't find it easy to make decisions. (r) _____

24. I don't have a particular sense of meaning and purpose in my life. (r) _____

25. I feel I have a great deal of energy. _____

26. I usually have a good influence on events. _____

27. I don't have fun with other people. (r) _____

28. I don't feel particularly healthy. (r) _____

29. I don't have particularly happy memories of the past. (r) _____

Calculate your score

Step 1: Items marked (r) should be scored in reverse:

If you gave yourself a "1," cross it out and change it to a "6."

Change "2'' to a "5''
Change "3'' to a "4''
Change "4'' to a "3''
Change "5'' to a "2''
Change "6'' to a "1''

Step 2: Add the numbers for all 29 questions. (Use the converted numbers for the 12 items that are reverse scored.)

Step 3: Divide by 29. So your happiness score = the total (from step 2) divided by 29.

We recommend you record your score and the date. Then you'll have the option to compare your score now with your score at a later date. This can be especially helpful if you are trying some of the exercises, and actively working on increasing your happiness.

Scoring

The lowest possible score is 1 and the highest possible score is 6. (The average is around 4.30).

Reference
Hills, P., & Argyle, M. (2002). The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire: a compact scale for the measurement of psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 33, 1073-1082.

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