Construct validation of Ryff’s psychological well-being scale: Evidence from Filipino teachers in the Philippines

Abstract

Research on psychological well-being has given attention to employees in various industries but research involving teachers particularly in non-Western contexts remains scarce. Using both within- and betweennetwork validation approaches, this study attends to gaps in literature through the examination of the psychometric properties of 42-item Ryff’s Psychological Well-being Scale – a theory-derived scale which taps six core dimensions of psychological well-being: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self- acceptance. Through confirmatory factor analysis, data from 237 Filipino teachers provide support for the a priori six-factor model although a number of items obtained poor factor loadings. Betweennetwork analysis suggests that these dimensions are linked to job performance. Findings are discussed in relation to the development of potential research agenda using the scale in the Philippine context.