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Personal Wellbeing Index: A Cross-Cultural Measurement Invariance Study Across Four Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Veljko Jovanović

    (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad)

  • Robert A. Cummins

    (Deakin University)

  • Melissa Weinberg

    (Deakin University)

  • Ljiljana Kaliterna

    (Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences)

  • Zvjezdana Prizmic-Larsen

    (Washington University in St. Louis)

Abstract

The comparison of subjective well-being scores across countries is increasingly being used as an indicator of societal progress. In this study we examined measurement invariance for the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), which measures subjective well-being, across Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The sample included a total of 5275 adult participants. Initially, the single-factor model of the PWI showed an adequate fit to the data only in Australia. Due to a poor fit in the remaining three countries we decided to test the single-factor structure on an abbreviated version of the scale. In order to shorten the PWI, we excluded two items (satisfactions with community-connectedness and future security) which demonstrated the lowest unique value in predicting global life satisfaction. The single-factor structure of the 5-item PWI (PWI-5) was supported in all four countries. Measurement invariance testing supported the partial scalar invariance of the PWI-5, thus allowing for latent mean comparisons. Latent mean analysis indicated higher life satisfaction in Australia, as compared with the other three countries. The PWI-5 correlated highly with the full scale. These findings suggest that the 5-item version of the PWI may be more suitable for cross-cultural comparisons.

Suggested Citation

  • Veljko Jovanović & Robert A. Cummins & Melissa Weinberg & Ljiljana Kaliterna & Zvjezdana Prizmic-Larsen, 2019. "Personal Wellbeing Index: A Cross-Cultural Measurement Invariance Study Across Four Countries," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 759-775, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s10902-018-9966-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-9966-2
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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. Eduardo Wills, 2009. "Spirituality and Subjective Well-Being: Evidences for a New Domain in the Personal Well-Being Index," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 49-69, March.
    3. Veljko Jovanović & Mohsen Joshanloo & Dragan Đunda & Ali Bakhshi, 2017. "Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Domain-Specific and General Life Satisfaction: A Study in Iran and Serbia," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(1), pages 185-204, March.
    4. Des Gasper, 2005. "Subjective and Objective Well-Being in Relation to Economic Inputs: Puzzles and Responses," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 63(2), pages 177-206.
    5. 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.
    6. Ylenio Longo, 2015. "The Simple Structure of Positive Affect," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 183-198, October.
    7. Robert Cummins, 1996. "The domains of life satisfaction: An attempt to order chaos," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 38(3), pages 303-328, January.
    8. 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.
    9. Marta Portela & Isabel Neira & Maria del Salinas-Jiménez, 2013. "Social Capital and Subjective Wellbeing in Europe: A New Approach on Social Capital," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 493-511, November.
    10. Magdalena Żemojtel-Piotrowska & Jarosław P. Piotrowski & Jan Cieciuch & Byron G. Adams & Evgeny N. Osin & Rahkman Ardi & Sergiu Bălţătescu & Arbinda Lal Bhomi & Amanda Clinton & Gisela T. Clunie & Car, 2017. "Measurement Invariance of Personal Well-Being Index (PWI-8) Across 26 Countries," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1697-1711, December.
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    2. 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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