Brief Description
The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) is a self-report assessment designed to measure an individual's level of happiness. It consists of 29 items that cover various aspects of psychological well-being, including positive affect, life satisfaction, and personal fulfillment. The questionnaire is best used in research and clinical settings to gauge a snapshot of an individual’s overall happiness and identify areas for potential improvement in well-being. An example question from the OHQ is, "I feel that life is very rewarding," with possible responses on a six-point scale ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree." The OHQ is useful for tracking changes of an individual’s perception of happiness over time or evaluating the impact of interventions.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
29
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
No recommended standard frequency; Blueprint recommends weekly.
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
Scoring the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire involves calculating an average score that reflects the individual's overall level of happiness. First, items 1, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 19, 23, 24, 27, 28, and 29 are reverse scored. After these items are reverse scored, the numbers for all 29 items are summed then divided by 29. The average score ranges from 1 to 6. A higher score indicates greater happiness, while a lower score suggests a lower level of happiness.
Scoring interpretation by Dr. Steve Wright is as follows:
Score | Interpretation |
1-2 | Not happy. Consider taking an assessment for depression. |
2-3 | Somewhat unhappy |
3-4 | Not particularly happy or unhappy. |
4 | Somewhat happy/moderately happy. This is what the average person scores. |
4-5 | Rather happy/pretty happy. |
5-6 | Very happy. |
6 | Too happy. (This interpretation is based on research that seems to show that there’s an optimal level of happiness that helps us succeed at work and school and for maintaining our health. This research shows being “too happy” may be associated with lower levels of functioning in these life areas.) |
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 6-8 minutes
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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