Validation of the Social Well-Being Measure

File(s)
Date
2014-03-11Author
Boucher, Dylan J.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin--Stout
Department
Applied Psychology
Advisor(s)
Wood, Sarah
Achter, John
Lovejoy, Chelsea
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The Social Well-Being scale, a subjective measurement of social fulfillment, has very little
research on its validity (Gallagher, Lopez, & Preacher, 2009; Keyes, 1998). This study utilized
the Midlife in the United States 2 (MIDUS II) survey to measure its construct validity through
comparisons with other social constructs that have been shown to positively correlate with other
well-being measures and should positively correlate with social well-being. Specifically, many
studies have shown that social support, seeking social support, and self-construal correlate highly
with subjective well-being and psychological well-being (e.g., Moody & Carducci, 2011; Ross,
Lutz, & Lakey, 1999). A Reliability analysis found internal consistency in the Social Well-Being
measure. Correlational analysis found that Social Well-Being scores significantly, but weakly,
positively correlated with family social support, friend social support, seeking social support, and
interdependent self-construal scores. Social Well-Being scores negatively correlated with
independent self-construal scores. All correlation coefficients were low, which put into question
the validity of the measure. Interpretation of findings will be discussed.
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/95523Type
Thesis
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Plan A