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The Validity of Subjective Wellbeing Measurement for Children: Evidence Using the Personal Wellbeing Index—School Children

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  • Adrian J. Tomyn

    (Cairnmillar Institute)

  • Matthew D. Fuller-Tyszkiewicz

    (Deakin University)

  • Robert A. Cummins

    (Deakin University)

  • Jacolyn M. Norrish

    (Monash University)

Abstract

Research is scarce concerning the validity of subjective wellbeing measures for children aged 12 years and less. There are even fewer subjective wellbeing data for children with complex backgrounds and personal circumstances and those experiencing socio-demographic disadvantage. This study compares the psychometric properties of the child and adult versions of the Personal Wellbeing Index. Participants were 1761 ‘at-risk’ children aged 10–12 years, and 2000 geographically representative Australian adults. While there was sufficient fit with a one-factor structure, the reliability estimates were lower in the child sample and the incidence of response bias was significantly higher. Collectively, these findings suggest caution in the use of subjective wellbeing measures with children.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian J. Tomyn & Matthew D. Fuller-Tyszkiewicz & Robert A. Cummins & Jacolyn M. Norrish, 2017. "The Validity of Subjective Wellbeing Measurement for Children: Evidence Using the Personal Wellbeing Index—School Children," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1859-1875, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9804-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9804-3
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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. Ferran Casas & Jorge Sarriera & Jaime Alfaro & Mònica González & Sara Malo & Irma Bertran & Cristina Figuer & Daniel Cruz & Lívia Bedin & Angela Paradiso & Karin Weinreich & Boris Valdenegro, 2012. "Testing the Personal Wellbeing Index on 12–16 Year-Old Adolescents in 3 Different Countries with 2 New Items," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 105(3), pages 461-482, February.
    3. Robert Cummins, 2010. "Subjective Wellbeing, Homeostatically Protected Mood and Depression: A Synthesis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-17, March.
    4. Adrian Tomyn & Matthew Fuller Tyszkiewicz & Jacolyn Norrish, 2014. "The Psychometric Equivalence of the Personal Wellbeing Index School-Children for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 43-56, February.
    5. Jed Blore & Mark Stokes & David Mellor & Lucy Firth & Robert Cummins, 2011. "Comparing Multiple Discrepancies Theory to Affective Models of Subjective Wellbeing," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 100(1), pages 1-16, January.
    6. Adrian Tomyn & Matthew Fuller Tyszkiewicz & Robert Cummins, 2013. "The Personal Wellbeing Index: Psychometric Equivalence for Adults and School Children," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 110(3), pages 913-924, February.
    7. Adrian Tomyn & Robert Cummins, 2011. "Subjective Wellbeing and Homeostatically Protected Mood: Theory Validation With Adolescents," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(5), pages 897-914, October.
    8. Adrian Tomyn & Robert Cummins, 2011. "The Subjective Wellbeing of High-School Students: Validating the Personal Wellbeing Index—School Children," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 101(3), pages 405-418, May.
    9. Ed Diener & Ed Sandvik & William Pavot & Dennis Gallagher, 1991. "Response artifacts in the measurement of subjective well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 35-56, February.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Prakash, Kushneel & Smyth, Russell, 2019. "‘The quintessential Chinese dream’? Homeownership and the subjective wellbeing of China's next generation," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    3. Rasmus Riad & Mara Westling Allodi & Eva Siljehag & Carina Wikman & Tamsin Ford & Sven Bölte, 2021. "How I Feel About My School—Adaptation and Validation of an Educational Well-Being Measure among Young Children in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Derakhshan, Leili & Maarefvand, Masoomeh & Ebadi, Abbas & Mousvai, Mir Taher, 2023. "Evaluation of the validity and reliability of Children’s Worlds Subjective Well-Being Scale (CW-SWBS) in Tehran, Iran," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    5. Sebastiano Costa & Antonino Bianco & Valentina Polizzi & Marianna Alesi, 2021. "Happiness in Physical Activity: A Longitudinal Examination of Children Motivation and Negative Affect in Physical Activity," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1643-1655, April.

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