Development and Validation of the Happiness Scale for Middle-Aged Women Based on Existence, Relation, and Growth Theory

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study aimed at developing a happiness assessment scale for middle-aged women (HAS-MW) in Korea. @*Methods@#Preliminary items for the scale were drafted from the results of literature review and personal interviews and open-ended questions with women in the community. The interviews were based on the theory of existence, relatedness, and growth. After validating a preliminary scale, we analyzed the validity and reliability of the new scale items, and model fit. We surveyed 600 women aged 40 years to 64 years for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Valid data were divided into 352 for EFA and 174 for CFA by multiplies of number 1 to 3. @*Results@#Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we extracted four primary factors—self-value, positive thinking, self-care, and family relationship—and with a total of 24 items for HAS-MW. The fit of the final model was evaluated as good showing χ2/df = 2.10, goodness of fit index = .80, comparative fit index = .85, root mean square error of approximation = .08, standardized root mean residual = .05. The HAS-MW had a significant positive correlation with the Oxford Happiness scale and showed a significant negative correlation with the Hwa-Byeong Scale. Cronbach's α for the new scale was .91, and the Spearman-Brown half coefficient was .93. The new scale used a five-point Likert scale with higher scores indicating greater happiness. @*Conclusion@#The HAS-MW is a reliable and valid one. It can be used to measure the level of happiness for middle-aged women. In addition, it might be applied to find low women and to evaluate the effect of intervention program related to happiness in woman of middle age.