12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12)

Full name of scale

12-Item Short-Form Health Survey

Languages

English

Rater

Patient-rated

Utility

Research setting

Clinical setting

 

The SF-12 uses the same eight domains as the SF-36:

 

  • Limitations in physical activities because of health problems.
  • Limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems
  • Limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems
  • Bodily pain
  • General mental health (psychological distress and well-being)
  • Limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems
  • Vitality (energy and fatigue)
  • General health perceptions

 

It can be administered to the general population

Several versions exist:

  • SF-36 (higher validity)
  • SF-12 (acceptable validity and quick to use)
  • SF-12 version 1
  • SF-12 version2

Time to complete

2.5 minutes

Cost/license

Licence is required for the use and evaluation of the SF 12.

Ware Jr, J. E., Kosinski, M., & Keller, S. D. (1996). A 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey: Construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Medical Care, 220–233. Follow this link for the article.

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