Self satisfaction scale (3S): Development and initial validation of a new measure of subjective well-being

Abstract

The present study was designed to develop and describe the psychometric properties of the Self-satisfaction Scale (3S) among adults (including emerging adults) for the community sample. The research included three distinct studies. In Study 1, item pool generation and evaluation of content validity of the new scale by expert panel were carried out. In Study 2 (n = 532), the factor structure of 3S was examined with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and the internal consistency of the new scale was evaluated. In Study 3 (n = 503) Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed on the items determined by EFA in a different sample and the convergent validity of the new scale was assessed. EFA results displayed that 3S had seven factors accounting for 73.87% of the initial total variance and CFA results confirmed that these seven distinct but correlated factors were related to self-satisfaction on social, physical health, cognitive, emotional/psychological, physical appearance, sexual, and personality characteristics domains. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega) of the 3S was .96 and all subscales had high internal consistency. To assess the convergent validity, 3S was administered together with Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS; Diener), Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The results revealed that 3S was positively correlated with the LSS, positive affect, and RSES while it was negatively correlated with negative affect and BDI. Test-retest reliability (N = 64) for total 3S was .89. Findings suggest that 3S is a psychometrically valid and reliable tool to assess self-satisfaction among adults and emerging adults.