ERIC Number: EJ991870
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-3590
EISSN: N/A
The Positivity Scale
Caprara, Gian Vittorio; Alessandri, Guido; Eisenberg, Nancy; Kupfer, A.; Steca, Patrizia; Caprara, Maria Giovanna; Yamaguchi, Susumu; Fukuzawa, Ai; Abela, John
Psychological Assessment, v24 n3 p701-712 Sep 2012
Five studies document the validity of a new 8-item scale designed to measure "positivity," defined as the tendency to view life and experiences with a positive outlook. In the first study (N = 372), the psychometric properties of Positivity Scale (P Scale) were examined in accordance with classical test theory using a large number of college participants. In Study 2, the unidimensionality of the P Scale was corroborated with confirmatory factor analysis in 2 independent samples (N[subscript 1] = 322; N[subscript 2] = 457). In Study 3, P Scale invariance across sexes and its relations with self-esteem, life satisfaction, optimism, positive negative affect, depression, and the Big Five provided further evidence of the internal and construct validity of the new measure in a large community sample (N = 3,589). In Study 4, test-retest reliability of the P Scale was found in a sample of college students (N = 262) who were readministered the scale after 5 weeks. In Study 5, measurement invariance and construct validity of P Scale were further supported across samples in different countries and cultures, including Italy (N = 689), the United States (N = 1,187), Japan (N = 281), and Spain (N = 302). Psychometric findings across diverse cultural context attest to the robustness of the P Scale and to positivity as a basic disposition. (Contains 6 tables and 5 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Validity, Measures (Individuals), Psychological Testing, Test Theory, College Students, Adults, Factor Analysis, Factor Structure, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Socioeconomic Status, Self Esteem, Life Satisfaction, Psychological Patterns, Depression (Psychology), Personality Traits, Test Reliability, Construct Validity, Robustness (Statistics), Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Italy; Japan; Spain; United States
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A