The Use of Domains in Constructing a Comprehensive Composite Index of Child Well-Being

As the field of measuring and monitoring child well-being has evolved over the past 20 years, increasing numbers of researchers have combined indicators into comprehensive composite indices to provide a more concise picture of how children are faring. This paper reviews how domains have been used in the construction of such indices. Based on examination of 19 key studies which combine domains into indices, it is clear there is little agreement on the exact number of domains that should be used in constructing a composite index. However, of the 19 studies examined here, 11 incorporated either six and seven domains in their index. In addition there is a wide range of judgments about which domains should be included in constructing indices of child well-being and how to conceptualize each domain. This study identifies education, health, and material well-being as the key domains used in almost all of the studies examined.