Abstract
Psychological well-being plays a significant role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Southeast Asian countries could prevent a rise in chronic diseases by having access to reliable and valid tools to study psychological well-being and its impact on disease prevention. The Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-being (RSPWB) is a leading instrument for measuring psychological well-being and has been used in research in many countries. However, in Thailand, little research exists on psychological well-being and its relation to health and disease because versions of the RSPWB have not been translated and validated for the Thai population. This study aimed to assess the adaptation of a 54-item Thai version of the RSPWB. A research questionnaire, which included the 54-item RSPWB was translated, piloted, and completed by 1122 Thai undergraduate students. Analyses included the use of partial least squares, structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)—a second-generation statistical technique for testing complex path models. Results showed a PLS-SEM measurement model with 23-items demonstrating good convergent and discriminant validity and reliability. The PLS-SEM structural model showed significant positive path coefficients from six factors (autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth, positive relations with others, and self-acceptance) to the second-order factor of psychological well-being. Moreover, the 23-item Thai version supported the same six-factor structure of the original RSPWB. In conclusion, the adapted 23-item Thai version is shorter in length, easy to administer, has robust psychometric properties, and helps to fill the current lack of reliable and valid psychological well-being instruments available in Thai. Lastly, this study provides a model for other Southeast Asian countries to translate, pilot, and adapt the RSPWB into their local languages, which might help to facilitate further research in psychological well-being and its association with chronic diseases and health promotion.
Highlights
Psychological well-being (PWB) plays a significant role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Hernandez et al (2018) reported that PWB was related to a lowered incidence of health problems and slow progression of cardiovascular diseases and decreased mortality
The adapted 23-item Thai version is shorter in length, easy to administer, has robust psychometric properties, and helps to fill the current lack of reliable and valid psychological well-being instruments available in Thai
PLS-SEM analysis provided an alternative approach for validating a popular version of the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-being (RSPWB)
Summary
Psychological well-being (PWB) plays a significant role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Hernandez et al (2018) reported that PWB was related to a lowered incidence of health problems (including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, lung diseases, stroke, and venous thromboembolism) and slow progression of cardiovascular diseases and decreased mortality. PWB research has flourished in recent years (Ryff, 2013; Seligman, 2012) and has shown that improved PWB reflects a lower occurrence of mental problems and increased positive psychology, including hedonic well-being (such as happiness, life satisfaction, and positive affect) (Diener, 1984) and eudaimonic wellbeing (autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth, positive relations, and self-acceptance) (Ryan & Deci, 2001). The majority of this research has primarily benefited western countries (Deci & Ryan, 2006) because most PWB instruments were developed in English. Non-English speaking countries, like those in Southeast Asia, which experience high levels of chronic diseases (Dans et al, 2011; Dhillon et al, 2012), generally do not have access to validated PWB instruments in their local languages. To increase the amount of PWB research in Southeast Asian countries more sound screening tools to assess PWB are needed
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