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Considering a Bifactor Model of Children’s Subjective Well-Being Using a Multinational Sample

Author

Listed:
  • Shazly Savahl

    (University of the Western Cape)

  • Ferran Casas

    (Andres Bello University
    University of Girona)

  • Sabirah Adams

    (University of Cape Town)

Abstract

In the current study, we consider the viability of a bifactor model of children’s subjective well-being (SWB) by contributing to the discussion on the dimensionality of children’s SWB. We specify a general factor of SWB and four group factors (context-free cognitive life satisfaction, domain-based cognitive life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) using structural equation modelling and parceling. We used data from the Children’s Worlds International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (N = 92 782). Our analysis strategy included confirmatory factor analysis and bifactor analysis. We found a good fit for the specified bifactor model, with all items loading onto a general factor and group factors. For the bifactor analysis, after controlling for the general factor, the loadings on the group factors were substantially lower, and did not meet the criteria of acceptability for bifactor indices thresholds. The common variance of the items is largely explained by the general factor; thus, the specification of the group factors cannot be justified. Further, we found an excellent fit for a model using the parceling approach. From a measurement perspective, the construct of children’s SWB can potentially be measured as a unidimensional construct. Thus, it may be feasible to report a total score for children’s SWB, as opposed to scores on the individual subscales (group factors). Applied researchers can thus confidently use SWB as a unidimensional construct or follow the parceling approach in the structural equation model context.

Suggested Citation

  • Shazly Savahl & Ferran Casas & Sabirah Adams, 2023. "Considering a Bifactor Model of Children’s Subjective Well-Being Using a Multinational Sample," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(6), pages 2253-2278, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:16:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s12187-023-10058-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-023-10058-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carme Montserrat & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams & Brîndușa Antonia Grigoraș & Claudia Bacter & Sergiu Bălțătescu, 2021. "Children’s Perspectives on Scale Response Options of Subjective Well-Being Measures: A Comparison between Numerical and Verbal-Response Formats," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(1), pages 53-75, February.
    2. Gwyther Rees, 2019. "Variations in Children’s Affective Subjective Well-Being at Seven Years Old: an Analysis of Current and Historical Factors," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(1), pages 141-160, February.
    3. Ferran Casas, 2017. "Analysing the Comparability of 3 Multi-Item Subjective Well-Being Psychometric Scales Among 15 Countries Using Samples of 10 and 12-Year-Olds," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 10(2), pages 297-330, June.
    4. 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.
    5. Julie Seligson & E. Huebner & Robert Valois, 2003. "Preliminary Validation of the Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS)," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 121-145, February.
    6. Ed Diener, 2006. "Guidelines for National Indicators of Subjective Well-Being and Ill-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 397-404, November.
    7. Ferran Casas & Mònica González-Carrasco, 2021. "Analysing Comparability of Four Multi-Item Well-being Psychometric Scales Among 35 Countries Using Children’s Worlds 3rd Wave 10 and 12-year-olds Samples," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(5), pages 1829-1861, October.
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