Scottish Government

Improve Mental Wellbeing

DESCRIPTION:

This indicator measures mental wellbeing as derived from the average score on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) amongst adults aged 16+ years.

SOURCE:

The Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) is a major population survey conducted annually. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) is a scale designed to measure positive mental wellbeing and forms a component of the survey. Results relating to mental wellbeing are published as part of the General Health, Mental Wellbeing and Caring module:

Scottish Health Survey    

WEMWBS is composed of 14 separate statements describing feelings relating to mental wellbeing. Respondents are asked to indicate how often they have felt this way over the last two weeks, using a 5 point scale (ranging from none of the time to all of the time).

The annual denominator population for the Scottish Health Survey (from 2008 to 2011) will be approximately 6,400 adults aged 16+ years and from 2012 onwards approximately 4,000 adults aged 16+.

DEFINITIONS:

The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) is a scale for assessing positive mental health (mental well-being).

For each of 14 separate statements describing feelings relating to mental wellbeing, respondents are asked to indicate how often they have felt this way over the last two weeks, using a 5 point scale (ranging from 1 - 'none of the time' to 5 - 'all of the time').

The overall score is calculated by totalling the scores for each item (minimum possible score is 14 and the maximum is 70); the higher a person's score is, the better their level of mental wellbeing.

The mean is used as a measure of average.

Adults are defined as those aged 16 years and over.

BASELINE AND PAST TRENDS:

The first data point for this indicator is taken from the 2006 Well? What Do You Think? Survey. In 2006 the mean WEMWBS score was 51.05. Figures for 2008 to 2015 have been fairly stable ranging between 49.7 and 50.0.

Average score of adults on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)

CRITERIA FOR RECENT CHANGE ARROW:

An annual increase in the mean WEMWBS score greater than or equal to 0.4 points will indicate performance improving. An annual decrease of greater than or equal to 0.4 points will indicate performance worsening. An annual change within 0.4 points either way will indicate performance maintaining. The threshold of 0.4 points chosen is based on an assessment of the data available at this time, and may need to be reviewed as more information becomes available in the future.

For information on general methodological approach, please click here.

FUTURE ISSUES OR REVIEWS:

No issues.

ASSOCIATED TARGET:

No associated target.