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Measuring Adolescent Life Satisfaction: A Psychometric Investigation of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS)

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  • Kelly Bradley
  • Jessica Cunningham
  • Richard Gilman

Abstract

Concerns regarding construct bias in psychological assessment have been the subject of ongoing research for a half century. Little research has investigated the psychometric comparability of instruments designed to assess positive perceptions of individuals’ lives. The Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS), is based on a hierarchical factor structure that conceptualizes life satisfaction as an overall satisfaction that is subsumed by five domains believed to be important in youths’ lives: Family, Friends, School, Living Environment, and Self (Huebner in School Psychol Q 19:93–105, 1994 ). A Rasch measurement model was applied, rather than the typical approach of classical test theory such as factor analysis, to each domain to investigate measurement properties and determine equivalence across race at the item level. Results support a restructure of the rating scale categories due to the limited use of certain ratings and suggest revision of items that demonstrate differential item functioning across race. This study will aid in correct applications and proper interpretation of the scores reported for the MSLSS, as well as offering a methodological framework to apply to comparable psychological assessments. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly Bradley & Jessica Cunningham & Richard Gilman, 2014. "Measuring Adolescent Life Satisfaction: A Psychometric Investigation of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS)," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1333-1345, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:15:y:2014:i:6:p:1333-1345
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-013-9478-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melanie Davern & Robert Cummins & Mark Stokes, 2007. "Subjective Wellbeing as an Affective-Cognitive Construct," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 8(4), pages 429-449, December.
    2. E. Huebner & Rich Gilman, 2002. "An Introduction to the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 115-122, December.
    3. Guy Moors, 2003. "Diagnosing Response Style Behavior by Means of a Latent-Class Factor Approach. Socio-Demographic Correlates of Gender Role Attitudes and Perceptions of Ethnic Discrimination Reexamined," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 277-302, August.
    4. David Andrich, 1978. "A rating formulation for ordered response categories," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 43(4), pages 561-573, December.
    5. E. Huebner, 2004. "Research on Assessment of Life Satisfaction of Children and Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 3-33, April.
    6. Rich Gilman & E. Huebner & James Laughlin, 2000. "A First Study of the Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale with Adolescents," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 52(2), pages 135-160, November.
    7. Peter Greenspoon & Donald Saklofske, 2001. "Toward an Integration of Subjective Well-Being and Psychopathology," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 81-108, April.
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