Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spanish Validation of the Flourishing Scale in the General Population

  • Published:
Current Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Well-being research and its measurement have grown in the last two decades. The objective of this study was to adapt and validate the Flourishing Scale in a sample of Spanish adults. This was a cross-sectional study using a non-probabilistic sample of 999 Spanish general adult population participants. The psychometric properties of the scale were analysed from an exploratory and confirmatory perspective. Exploratory factor analysis showed a one-factor solution explaining 42.3% of the variance; an internal consistency of .846; temporal reliability correlation of .749; convergent validity with the Satisfaction with Life Scale of .521 and criterion validity with positive and negative affect (PANAS), pessimism and optimism (LOT-R) ranging from .270 to .488. Confirmatory factor analysis testing the one-factor solution showed a χ2 of 65.57 df = 20; CFI of .982, RMSEA of .06, average variance extracted index of .518 and composite reliability index of .841. Results showed that the Spanish version of the FS is a reliable and valid method for measuring high levels of well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson, J. C., y Gerbing, D. W. (1988). Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3), 411–423. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.103.3.411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antolikova, E. (2012). The European year for active ageing and solidarity between generations 2012. Kniznica, 13(2), 6–9 Retrieved from http://goo.gl/M7EYfa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arafat, S. Y., Chowdhury, H. R., Qusar, M. S., & Hafez, M. A. (2016). Cross Cultural Adaptation & Psychometric Validation of research instruments: A methodological review. Journal of Behavioral Health, 5, 129–136. doi:10.5455/jbh.20160615121755.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atienza, F. L., Balaguer, I., & Garcı́a-Merita, M. L. (2003). Satisfaction with life scale: Analysis of factorial invariance across sexes. Personality and Individual Differences, 35(6), 1255–1260. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(02)00332-X.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babakus, E., Ferguson Jr., C. E., & Jöreskog, K. G. (1987). The sensitivity of confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analysis to violations of measurement scale and distributional assumptions. Journal of Marketing Research, 24(2), 222–228. doi:10.2307/3151512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bentler, P. M. (2006). EQS: Structural equations program manual. Encino: Multivariate Software, Inc. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/szIGcN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, T. A. (2015). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caballero, F. F., Miret, M., Olaya, B., Perales, J., López-Ridaura, R., Haro, J. M., Chatterji, S., & Ayuso-Mateos, J. L. (2014). Evaluation of affect in mexico and spain: Psychometric properties and usefulness of an abbreviated version of the day reconstruction method. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(4), 915–935. doi:10.1007/s10902-013-9456-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. (1959). Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix. Psychological Bulletin, 56(2), 81–105. doi:10.1037/h0046016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 385–396 Retrieved from http://goo.gl/ftIgSk.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalal, D. K., Carter, N. T., & Lake, C. J. (2014). Middle response scale options are inappropriate for ideal point scales. Journal of Business and Psychology, 29(3), 463–478. doi:10.1007/s10869-013-9326-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. R., Lipman, R. S., Rickels, K., Uhlenhuth, E. H., & Covi, L. (1974). The Hopkins symptom checklist (HSCL): A self report symptom inventory. Behavioral Science, 19(1), 1–15. doi:10.1002/bs.3830190102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: Short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research, 97(2), 143–156. doi:10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiStefano, C. (2002). The impact of categorization with confirmatory factor analysis. Structural Equation Modeling, 9(3), 327–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan, W., Ho, S. M. Y., Bai, Y., & Tang, X. (2013). Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese virtues questionnaire. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 336–345. doi:10.1177/1049731513477214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Esch, T., Jose, G., Gimpel, C., Von Scheidt, C., & Michalsen, A. (2013). Die Flourishing Scale (FS) von Diener et al. liegt jetzt in einer autorisierten deutschen Fassung (FS-D) vor: Einsatz bei einer Mind-Body-medizinischen Fragestellung. Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 20(4), 267–275. doi:10.1159/000354414.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Extremera, N., Salguero, J. M., & Fernández-Berrocal, P. (2011). Trait meta-mood and subjective happiness: A 7-week prospective study. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12(3), 509–517. doi:10.1007/s10902-010-9233-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feicht, T., Wittmann, M., Jose, G., Mock, A., von Hirschhausen, E., & Esch, T. (2013). Evaluation of a seven-week web-based happiness training to improve psychological well-being, reduce stress, and enhance mindfulness and flourishing: A randomized controlled occupational health study. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1–14. doi:10.1155/2013/676953.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrando, P. J., Chico, E., & Tous, J. M. (2002). Propiedades psicométricas del test de optimismo Life Orientation Test. Psicothema, 14(3), 673–680 Retrieved from http://goo.gl/OMlGtS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finney, A.J. y DiStefano C. (2006). Non-normal and categorical data in structural equation modeling. In: G. R. Hancock y R. O. Mueller (Eds). Structural equation modeling: A second course, 269–314. Greenwich: Information Age Publishing

  • Gimpel, C., von Scheidt, C., Jose, G., Sonntag, U., Stefano, G. B., Michalsen, A., & Esch, T. (2014). Changes and interactions of flourishing, mindfulness, sense of coherence, and quality of life in patients of a mind-body medicine outpatient clinic. Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 21(3), 154–162. doi:10.1159/000363784.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González-Romá, V., & Espejo, B. (2003). Testing the middle response categories" not sure"," in between" and"?" in polytomous items. Psicothema, 15(2), 278–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartley, J. (2014). Some thoughts on likert-type scales. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 14(1), 83–86. doi:10.1016/S1697-2600(14)70040-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helliwell, J. F. (2003). How's life? Combining individual and national variables to explain subjective well-being. Economic Modelling, 20(2), 331–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helliwell, J., Layard, R., & Sachs, J. (2012). World happiness report [2012]. doi:10.14288/1.0053622

  • Hernández, A., Espejo, B., & González-Romá, V. (2006). The functioning of central categories middle level and sometimes in graded response scales: Does the label matter? Psicothema, 18(2), 300–306.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hone, L., Jarden, A., & Schofield, G. (2014b). Psychometric properties of the flourishing scale in a new zealand sample. Social Indicators Research, 119(2), 1031–1045. doi:10.1007/s11205-013-0501-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hone, L. C., Jarden, A., Schofield, G., & Duncan, S. (2014a). Measuring flourishing: The impact of operational definitions on the prevalence of high levels of wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 4(1), 62–90. doi:10.5502/ijw.v4i1.4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, S. R., & Olmos, A. (1998). Behavior of descriptive fit indexes in confirmatory factor analysis using ordered categorical data. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 5(4), 344–364. doi:10.1080/10705519809540111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jöreskog, K. G., Sörbom, D., Du Toit, S., & Du Toit, M. (1999). LISREL 8: New statistical features, chicago, IL: Scientific software international. Inc.[Links],

  • Keyes, C. L. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama, S., Markus, H. R., & Kurokawa, M. (2000). Culture, emotion, and well-being: Good feelings in Japan and the United States. Cognition & Emotion, 14(1), 93–124. doi:10.1080/026999300379003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulas, J. T., & Stachowski, A. A. (2009). Middle category endorsement in odd-numbered likert response scales: Associated item characteristics, cognitive demands, and preferred meanings. Journal of Research in Personality, 43(3), 489–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kulas, J. T., Stachowski, A. A., & Haynes, B. A. (2008). Middle response functioning in likert-responses to personality items. Journal of Business and Psychology, 22(3), 251–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, M., Li, Y., & Liu, Y. (2010). Determining the optimal scale width for a rating scale using an integrated discrimination function. Measurement, 43(10), 1458–1471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LimeSurvey Project Team, Schmitz, Carsten. (2012). LimeSurvey: An open source survey tool. Germany: LimeSurvey Project Hamburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46(2), 137–155. doi:10.1023/A:1006824100041.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manincor, M., Bensoussan, A., Smith, C. A., Barr, K., Schweickle, M., Donoghoe, L., Bourchier, S., & Fahey, P. (2016). Individualized yoga for reducing depression and anxiety, and improving well-being: A randomized controlled trial. Depression and Anxiety. doi:10.1002/da.22502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, J. L. (2004). The optimal number of categories for numerical rating scales. Dissertation Abstracts International, 65, 1664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muñiz, J., Elosúa, P., & Hambleton, R. K. (2013). Directrices para la traducción y adaptación de los tests: segunda edición. Psicothema, 25(2), 151–157. doi:10.7334/psicothema2013.24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muñiz, J., Elosua, P., Padilla, J., & Hambleton, R. K. (2016). Test adaptation standards for cross-lingual assessment. In C. S. Wells, & M. Faulkner-Bond (Eds.), Educational measurement: From foundations to future; educational measurement: From foundations to future (pp. 291-304, Chapter xvii, 494 Pages) Guilford Press, New York. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1828875838?accountid=14777

  • Murray, A. L., Booth, T., & Molenaar, D. (2015). When middle really means “top” or “bottom”: An analysis of the 16PF5 using bock's nominal response model. Journal of Personality Assessment, 1–13. doi:10.1080/00223891.2015.1095197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onwuegbuzie, A., & Weems, G. (2004). Response categories on rating scales: Characteristics of item respondents who frequently utilize midpoint. Research in the Schools, 11(1), 50–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortuño-Sierra, J., Santarén-Rosell, M., Albéniz, A. P. d., & Fonseca-Pedrero, E. (2015). Dimensional structure of the spanish version of the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) in adolescents and young adults. Psychological Assessment, 27(3), e1–e9. doi:10.1037/pas0000107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pozo-Muñoz, C., Garzón-Umerenkova, A., Bretones-nieto, B., & Ligia-Charry, C. (2016). Psychometric properties and dimensionality of the “flourishing scale” in Spanish-speaking population. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 14(1), 175–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale a self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1(3), 385–401. doi:10.1177/014662167700100306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raykov, T. (1997). Estimation of composite reliability for congeneric measures. Applied Psychological Measurement, 21(2), 173–184. doi:10.1177/01466216970212006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141–166. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.141.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., Huta, V., & Deci, E. L. (2013). Living well: A self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia. The exploration of happiness (pp. 117-139) Springer Netherlands.

  • Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.69.4.719.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994). Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism (and trait anxiety, self-mastery, and self-esteem): A reevaluation of the life orientation test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(6), 1063–1078. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.67.6.1063.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacker, R. E., & Lomax, R. G. (2004). A beginner's guide to structural equation modeling. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: New Jersey.

  • Silva, A. J., & Caetano, A. (2013). Validation of the flourishing scale and scale of positive and negative experience in Portugal. Social Indicators Research, 110(2), 469–478. doi:10.1007/s11205-011-9938-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SPSS, I. (2013). IBM SPSS statistics 22. New York: IBM Corp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sumi, K. (2014a). Reliability and validity of japanese versions of the flourishing scale and the scale of positive and negative experience. Social Indicators Research, 118(2), 601–615. doi:10.1007/s11205-013-0432-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sumi, K. (2014b). Temporal stability of the japanese versions of the flourishing scale and the scale of positive and negative experience. Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy, 4, 140. doi:10.4172/2161-0487.1000140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, X., Duan, W., Wang, Z., & Liu, T. (2014). Psychometric evaluation of the simplified chinese version of flourishing scale. Research on Social Work Practice, 26(5), 591–599. 5. doi:10.1177/1049731514557832.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villieux, A., Sovet, L., Jung, S. C., & Guilbert, L. (2016). Psychological flourishing: Validation of the French version of the flourishing scale and exploration of its relationships with personality traits. Personality and Individual Differences, 88, 1–5. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2015.08.027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Kelly, B. C., Liu, T., Zhang, G., & Hao, W. (2013). Factorial structure of the brief symptom inventory (BSI)-18 among chinese drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 133(2), 368–375. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.06.017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063–1070. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

J.P. would like to thank Emma Green for the English language advice.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Universitat de València, Av. Blasco Ibáñes, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain

    Irene Checa & Begoña Espejo

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, 4125 Rainbow Blvd. MS 1056, Kansas City, KS, 66103, USA

    Jaime Perales

Authors
  1. Irene Checa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jaime Perales
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Begoña Espejo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Irene Checa.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Appendix 1. Spanish adaptation of the FS

Appendix 1. Spanish adaptation of the FS

A continuación, encontrará ocho afirmaciones con las que usted puede estar de acuerdo o no. Usando la escala de 1 (Totalmente en desacuerdo) a 7 (Totalmente de acuerdo) que se le proporciona, indique en qué grado de acuerdo o desacuerdo está para cada una de las afirmaciones.

  1. 1.

    Mi objetivo es conseguir una vida plena y significativa/ I lead a purposeful and meaningful life

  2. 2.

    Mis relaciones sociales son gratificantes y me ofrecen el apoyo que necessito/ My social relationships are supportive and rewarding

  3. 3.

    Me implico y me intereso en mis actividades diarias/ I am engaged and interested in my daily activities

  4. 4.

    Contribuyo activamente a la felicidad y el bienestar de otros/ I actively contribute to the happiness and well-being of others

  5. 5.

    Soy competente y capaz en las tareas que son importantes para mí/ I am competent and capable in the activities that are important to me

  6. 6.

    Soy una buena persona y tengo una buena vida/ I am a good person and live a good life

  7. 7.

    Veo mi futuro con optimismo/ I am optimistic about my future

  8. 8.

    La gente me respeta/ People respect me

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Checa, I., Perales, J. & Espejo, B. Spanish Validation of the Flourishing Scale in the General Population. Curr Psychol 37, 949–956 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9581-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-017-9581-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation