Well-Being Assessment

Validation of the German Version of the Subjective Vitality Scale - a Cross-Sectional Study and a Randomized Controlled Trial Abstract Over the last decade, the concept of Subjective Vitality has gained popularity as one indicator of human well-being. However, today no valid instrument exists to measure Subjective Vitality in German speaking samples. To close this gap, we validated a German trait and state version of the Subjective Vitality Scale (Ryan and Frederick 1997). Study one (N = 632) used an online survey to examine factorial validity of the existing 7-, 6- and 5- item versions of the scale (Kawabata et al. 2017) in German. Concurrent validity was tested via the relationship to convergent and divergent measures, external correlates and basic psychological need fulfillment. Study two used a student sample (N = 58) to test the scale’s sensitivity to changes in state Subjective Vitality following two short interventions (brisk walk or strength-exploring interview) as compared to a control condition (objective self-description). We replicated acceptable model fit and the highest degree of parsimony for the 5-item version. Subjective Vitality as a trait showed negative relationships with measures of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms and fatigue. Positive correlations were found for vigor, life satisfaction, weekly hours of leisure activity and feelings of competence, autonomy and relatedness. In contrast to the control condition, a 15-min brisk walk and a strength-exploring interview increased state levels of Subjective Vitality in participants. With regard to scale characteristics, sensitivity and validity, the 5-item trait and state version of the Subjective Vitality scale in German is recommended as corresponding standard to their international counterparts.

Convergent Validity of the Self-Determination Inventory: Student Report Abstract This study examined the convergent validity of scores on the Self-Determination Inventory: Student Report, a newly developed assessment of self-determination aligned with Causal Agency Theory with related assessments associated with hope theory (Children’s Hope Scale; CHS), self-determination theory (Perceived Choice and Awareness of Self Scale; PCASS, formerly the Self-Determination Scale), and action-control theory (Control and Means-End Interview; CAMI) in adolescents with and without disabilities of varying race/ethnicities. Measurement invariance was established across the groups, but differences in the patterns of correlations across disability and racial/ethnic groups were found. Generally, as hypothesized, the relationships between the assessments were moderate to high, except for the perceived choice subscale of the PCASS. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Preliminary Evidence for the Reliability and Validity of Two Brief Measures of Life Satisfaction with Italian Children Abstract The main aim of our study was to develop Italian versions of the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) and of the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS). We assessed aspects of the reliability and validity of the self-report measures among primary-school children. A sample of 156 Italian primary-school children (Mage = 9.59, SD = 1.00) was administered self-report measures of life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Moreover, teachers reported on students’ emotional symptoms, peer problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention and prosocial behaviour. The expected one-factor model was confirmed for both the SLSS and the BMSLSS. The SLSS and the BMSLSS total scores were intercorrelated (r = .58, p < .001), and the two scales showed Cronbach’s α values of .77 and .70, respectively. The SLSS and the BMSLSS total scores correlated significantly and meaningfully with measures of prosocial behaviour and peer problems. Finally, the SLSS (but not the BMLSS) total score was associated with a hyperactivity measure (r = −.24, p = .003). Moreover, both the SLSS and BMLSS total life satisfaction scores significantly and moderately related to a measure of depressive symptoms. Finally, as evidence of discriminant validity, the scores on most of the anxiety measures related significantly to scores on both life satisfaction measures, but to a lesser extent than the scores on the depressive symptom measure. Our research adds to the growing literature addressing life satisfaction among Italian children. The results provide preliminary evidence for the use of the SLSS and the BMSLSS with Italian primary-school children.

Measuring Positive Emotions: an Examination of the Reliability and Structural Validity of Scores on the Seven Dispositional Positive Emotions Scales Abstract The Dispositional Positive Emotions Scales (DPES) are seven separate research scales that measure joy, awe, amusement, pride, contentment, compassion, and love. Despite widespread use of these scales, no comprehensive examination of the psychometric properties of DPES scores has been conducted. In this paper, we examined the internal consistency and structural validity of DPES scores in four independent American samples. In Study 1, exploratory factor analyses indicated that scores on the seven scales had a 1-factor structure, and these scores were found to be internally consistent. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analyses provided evidence that DPES scores were structurally valid (although evidence was mixed on the Love scale) and that the seven scales were distinct constructs. In addition, DPES scores were found to be internally consistent. Finally, evidence of convergent validity and discriminant validity was also found via comparing DPES scores with those on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form.

Development of the Gothenburg Well-Being Scale in Late Adolescence: The Grow Up 1990 Gothenburg Study Abstract The objective was to update the factor structure of the Gothenburg Well-Being scale (GWB) for use in older adolescents. A cross-sectional population of final-year high school students (17–20 years; N = 5395) completed three questionnaires with classroom administration as part of a larger investigation into health and lifestyle. Students completed the GWB, which is composed of 43 polar-opposite adjective VAS scales, the RS-11 resilience questionnaire and an 8-item Body Image scale. Model fit to the previously data-derived six-factor model (GWB Child) was tested. The data were then randomly divided into training and test datasets and a theoretically hypothesised model was tested and revised. Model 1 did not have adequate model fit. The theoretically hypothesised Model 2 had better fit; however, a modified model (Model 3 GWB Adolescent), using nine questions loading on factors of Mood, Stress Balance and Activation with one general factor of Well-being, was found to meet all model fit criteria (GFI .978; TLI .970, CFI .980; RMSEA .059). Measurement invariance was attested across datasets and gender. Internal reliability was satisfactory (Cronbach’s alpha 0.59). Convergent validity was demonstrated by correlation with resilience (r = .42) and body image (r = .35). Discriminant known-groups analysis gave results in the predicted direction for gender. The findings contribute to the validity of the GWB Adolescent, which explores relevant elements of well-being in late adolescence and can be used for group comparisons. Further testing is required to identify relationships with independent aspects of late adolescent life and clinical variables.

Why Self-Report Variables Inter-Correlate: the Role of Homeostatically Protected Mood Abstract This manuscript provides systematic insight into the automatic correlations between positively-valenced, self-report variables that are typically used to measure subjective wellbeing. The theoretical basis for this study is the Theory of Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis. This theory, in turn, rests on: (1) an assumption of genetically-determined set-points for subjective wellbeing and, (2) the existence of a composite affect, called Homeostatically Protected Mood (HPMood), as the phenotypic product of each set-point. HPMood perfuses all self-report variables to an extent predicted by each variable’s relationship to the self on the dimensions of proximal-distal and abstract-specific. Because HPMood is an individual difference, the extent of perfusion shared by any two variables strongly influences the magnitude of their correlation. These assumptions are empirically tested through six hypotheses, using data from two, independent, general population samples of Australian respondents. The results generally support the predictions of homeostasis theory and draw attention to the potential for HPMood to be a biasing – yet theoretically predictable factor in self-report data.

Publisher Correction to Volume 1 Issue 1-3 Due to some technical problem related with rendering of online issue 3, the below articles need to be read as part of Vol. 1, multiple Issue 1-3

Validation of the Flourishing Scale for Married Employees in the Information Technology-Enabled Services Sector in India Abstract The Flourishing Scale (FS) created by Diener et al., Social Indicators Research, 97, 143–156 (2010) is a measurement that assesses eudaimonic well-being in terms of psychological functioning. In this study, the psychometric properties of the scale were explored by using three Indian samples (I: n = 262; II: n = 347; III: n = 508) each comprising of married individuals belonging to the Information Technology/Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sector. Reliability analysis and a multigroup confirmatory factorial analysis (MGCFA) were carried out on the FS, and the validity was examined by analyzing their correlations with other measures of well-being. Results showed adequate psychometric properties for the scale, and convergent validity with subjective well-being measures. Results also demonstrated the unidimensional structure of the FS corroborating earlier findings. The MGCFA of the scale evidenced an invariant structure. In conclusion, the FS behaved consistently with the original study by Diener et al. and was found to be appropriate for use in assessing eudaimonic well-being among service sector employees in India. Further, due to its short length, the survey may be leveraged to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions of well-being programs by HR practitioners and may also be used in future studies on well-being.

Evidence for a Bifactor Structure of the Scales of Psychological Well-Being Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Abstract This research investigates the much-debated factor structure of the 54-item version of Ryff’s (1989) Scales of Psychological Well-being (SPWB). Using two samples (n1 = 573; n2 = 449) of undergraduate university students, we apply confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) along with recently developed exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) techniques to evaluate several unidimensional and multidimensional models identified in previous research, as well as a new bifactor model. In a bifactor model, items load directly on both a global and a specific factor; when tested using ESEM, cross-loadings on other specific factors are also permitted and are targeted to be as close to zero as possible. After comparing various ESEM and traditional CFA models, the results indicate that a bifactor model estimated using ESEM provided the best fit to the data. Most items were found to reflect the global factor, but some items failed to reflect the intended specific factor. Thus, the 54-item version of the SPWB appears to be a good measure of overall psychological well-being, but may need refinement as a measure of the intended specific factors, at least among young adults. The benefits of applying ESEM to investigate the factor structure of the SPWB in other populations are discussed.

Incentivised Online Panel Recruitment and Subjective Wellbeing: Caveat Emptor Abstract It is generally assumed that if a sample represents its broader population on key demographic variables, the data it yields will also be representative. Here we present evidence to suggest that this is not necessarily so when subjective wellbeing is measured from participants recruited through online panels. Using data from six countries: Australia, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, UK and USA, we reveal significant differences in subjective wellbeing between online panel data and nationally representative data, even though both are demographically comparable. These findings indicate that the online panels comprised an abnormally high proportion of people with low subjective wellbeing, thus rendering their data non-representative. Given the widespread use of online panels to collect data in the modern era, we issue a caveat emptor.