Subjective Measures of Well-Being in Developing Countries

Abstract

The paper explores the conceptual and methodological issues entailed in using subjective measures of wellbeing, especially outside the Euro-American context in which they were developed. In the first part I define, situate and contrast subjective quality of life (QoL), subjective wellbeing (SWB), and wellbeing. I also look at the conceptual and methodological shortcomings of subjective measures of wellbeing and suggest ways of overcoming these by combining different approaches. I then explore how an expanded concept of subjective quality of life fits into the theoretical framework of the UK-based Wellbeing in Developing Countries study (or WeD) , specifically how it will adapt the methodology of the WHOQOL group 1995; 1998 to produce a new measure of development-related QoL.