Measuring Health: A Review of Subjective Health, Well-being and Quality of Life Measurement Scales

An invaluable resource for health professionals and students engaged in research, this thoroughly updated edition provides a guide to the major measures of health and functioning.



Measures of subjective health, well-being and quality of life are introduced along with analysis of their validity and reliability and the evidence for using each one. Throughout the book each measure is explained with a summary of how each one is scored and used, making this a one-stop guide to understanding health measurements, and the basic concepts behind measuring health, quality of life and well-being.

• A new look and feel makes measures and scales easier to locate

• Further research and evidence provides a greater critique of the measures

• Useful source information to help you access each measure with permission

• The addition of new scales include the Warwick-Edinburgh Wellbeing Scale, the Older People’s Quality of Life Scale and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire

• Expanded material on functional independence and functional assessment measures

Written by a renowned expert in health research, Measuring Health, 4th edition is essential reading for researchers and upper level undergraduates and postgraduates in health services research, health studies, health sciences, public health and social sciences.

"The world of measurement scales, which ones to use and for what purpose, is a complex one even for experienced qualitative researchers. It is easy for less experienced researchers to lose their way. Ann Bowling's book provides an up to date and coherent guide and assessment of measurement tools which is comprehensible and well organised."

Virginia Berridge, Professor of History and Director, Centre for History in Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK

"In her latest edition of Measuring Health: A Review of Subjective Health, Well-Being and Quality of Life Measurement Scales, Professor Ann Bowling has, once again, provided us with an essential for our bookshelves. It is a vital resource for anyone investigating health and well-being – whether novice student researcher or experienced academic.

Written in an accessible, easy to use style, we are initially taken through the importance of measuring and understanding lay people’s experiences of their physical and social health. The mechanics and challenges of measurement of subjective health are then described. Later chapters include handy definitions of relevant concepts and detailed descriptions of specific scales – both familiar and relatively new ones – including psychometric testing and use. This text is packed with useful information and can be used both as a resource for an overall understanding of measuring health and well-being or for selecting specific patient-based health scales for research projects."

Dr. Nan Greenwood, Reader in Health and Social Care Service Research, St George's University of London and Kingston University, UK