Assessing Well-Being of Persons with Disabilities: Validation of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index

Abstract

Background: Persons with disabilities are subject to numerous barriers that can lead to compromised physiological and psychological well-being. Amidst a lack of psychometric instruments to measure subjective well-being for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh, the present study aimed to validate the widely used WHO-5 Well-being Index. Methods: A cross-sectional survey recruiting 518 participants purposively with varying types of disabilities aged between 18 and 70 (Mean age: 24.85, SD 7.803) was carried out in rural and urban areas of Dhaka, Narsindi, Narayanganj, and Gazipur from February 2021 to March 2021. The Bangla version of the WHO-5 Well-being Index, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Bangla version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and a self-rating measure of well-being were used. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out along with analysis of reliability and validity. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor structure of the Bangla version of the WHO-5 Well-being Index for persons with disabilities. The measurement model was supported by multiple fit indices during confirmatory factor analysis. Adequate Cronbach’s alpha indicated internal consistency reliability while moderate to excellent correlations established convergent and divergent validity. Excellent test-retest reliability was also obtained. Conclusion: The findings suggested the Bangla version of the WHO-5 Well-being Index is a psychometrically valid and reliable instrument to assess the subjective well-being of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh. The study will likely contribute to the understanding of the well-being of persons with disabilities both in clinical as well as research studies.