Carnegie Mellon University

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