General Perceived Health
Title
General Perceived Health (from SF-36)
Studies
PMBC, PCS3
Copyright Information
The copyright for the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey is owned by RAND Health. The entire scale and related terms and conditions for use can be obtained from the RAND website.
Primary Reference
Ware, J. E. Jr., Snow, K. K., Kosinski, M., & Gandek, B. (1993). SF-36 Health Survey. Manual and Interpretation Guide. Boston, MA: Nimrod Press.
Purpose
To assess the individual’s perceptions of his or her general health.
Type of Measure
Modified. Only 2 items from the SF-36 were administered in PMBC and PCS3.
Description
Using a separate 5-point response scale for each, participants respond to two items inquiring about their perceptions of their own general health:
PMBC & PCS3: In general, would you say your health is:
1 = excellent, 2 = very good, 3 = good, 4 = fair, 5 = poor
PMBC only: Compared to one year ago, how would you rate your health in general now?
1 = much better now, 2 = somewhat better now, 3 = about the same, 4 = somewhat worse now, 5 = much worse now
PCS3 only: Compared to other persons your age, would you say your health is...
1 = excellent, 2 = very good, 3 = good, 4 = fair, 5 = poor
Number of Items
2