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Transcultural Adaptation and Validation in French of the BBC Subjective Well-Being Scale (BBC-SWB) in the General Population

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  • Omar Megherbi-Moulay

    (Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 University
    Epsylon - Psychology Laboratory (EA 4556) - Dynamics of Human Capacities and Health Behaviors)

  • Bénédicte Jullian

    (Toulouse-Purpan University Hospital, Place du Docteur Baylac - TSA)

  • Nicolas Franchitto

    (Toulouse-Purpan University Hospital, Place du Docteur Baylac - TSA
    INSERM, Toulouse III Paul Sabatier University)

  • Valérie Igier

    (University of Toulouse Jean- Jaurès
    CERPPS Laboratory)

  • Florence Sordes

    (University of Toulouse Jean- Jaurès
    CERPPS Laboratory)

Abstract

Subjective well-being influences longevity and health maintenance. No specific scale exists in French to measure the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of subjective well-being simultaneously. The BBC Subjective Well-Being Scale (BBC-SWB) is a reliable and valid measure of subjective well-being in the general population. The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the BBC-SWB into a French version and to evaluate its psychometric properties, validity, and reliability in the general adult population in France. After providing their informed consent, a sample of 1419 participants, were asked to complete a sociodemographic questionnaire and respond to a battery of online self-report measures probing subjective well-being, subjective happiness, mental health, quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The process of intercultural adaptation showed a semantic, idiomatic, cultural, and conceptual equivalence between the original version and the French version. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to extract and confirm a three-factor structural model in the sample. A 24-item version showed acceptable psychometric properties and measured the three dimensions of well-being. Spearman correlations were performed demonstrating significant concurrent validity. Internal consistency and intraclass and inter-rater correlation coefficients showed excellent reliability. This scale renamed “EBES” for Évaluation du Bien-Être Subjectif, represents a valid, reliable, and recommended instrument for research and clinical intervention purposes.

Suggested Citation

  • Omar Megherbi-Moulay & Bénédicte Jullian & Nicolas Franchitto & Valérie Igier & Florence Sordes, 2025. "Transcultural Adaptation and Validation in French of the BBC Subjective Well-Being Scale (BBC-SWB) in the General Population," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 20(2), pages 851-885, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:20:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11482-025-10439-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-025-10439-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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