Is sexual well-being part of subjective well-being? An empirical analysis of Belgian (Flemish) survey data using an extended well-being scale.

Most conventionally used subjective well-being scales do not include any measurement of sexual well-being, despite the fact that most available research and theories indicate that sexuality is to be considered an important and integral part of human well-being. This article proposes a five-item subjective well-being scale that includes sexual well-being. A representative pilot survey in Belgium (n = 2,080) indicated that item non-response on the sexual item was limited. The new scale is strongly one-dimensional and internally coherent. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that including sexual well-being allows for a better understanding of subjective well-being, highlighting the importance of age and having a partner, and the interaction between both variables. This article concludes that the positive impact of having a partner on subjective well-being significantly increases with age. It is argued that sexual well-being should be included in subjective well-being measurements that are routinely being used in population surveys.