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Validating the Self-assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS) in an Iranian Sample: Psychometric and Developmental Findings

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the validity and factor structure of the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS; Webster in J Adult Dev 10:13–22, 2003) in an Iranian population. Participants (235 male, 340 female) were recruited in Tehran, Iran and ranged in age from 17 to 88 years. Cronbach alpha’s for the subscales ranged from .63 to .81, and their inter-correlations ranged from .42 to .53. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 5 factors that were similar with the original structure. Confirmatory factor analysis supported 5-factor model of the SAWS. The SAWS’s total and subscale scores positively correlated with two other measures of wisdom (indicating convergent validity). The SAWS correlated weakly with age. Women scored higher in the SAWS subscales of emotional regulation, reminiscence/reflectiveness, and humor, which accounted for a significant gender difference in total wisdom. Although the age differences are consistent with prior research, the gender differences are relatively novel. Overall, results indicate that the SAWS has excellent psychometric properties and can be used in cross-cultural work.

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Notes

  1. We thank a reviewer for the suggestion of a supplementary analysis using data from a North American or European sample for comparison purposes. We acknowledge the permission granted by the authors of the following article to use the SAWS data from their larger project: Webster, J. D., Westerhof, G. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2014). Wisdom and well-being across the lifespan. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 69(2), 209–218.

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The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Farhangian University, Alborz, Iran

    Fereshteh Cheraghi

  2. Langara, Vancouver, Canada

    Jeffrey Webster

  3. Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

    Parvin Kadivar

  4. Psychometric Research Center of Hooshbahr, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Asgari

  5. University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran

    Farhad Mazlum

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  1. Fereshteh Cheraghi
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Correspondence to Fereshteh Cheraghi.

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Cheraghi, F., Webster, J., Kadivar, P. et al. Validating the Self-assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS) in an Iranian Sample: Psychometric and Developmental Findings. J Cross Cult Gerontol 36, 407–429 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-021-09442-y

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