Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
PLoS One
Volume
14
Issue
12
Publisher
PLOS
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
43080
Funders
National Health and Medical Research Council National Heart Foundation of Australia Australian Government
Grant Number
NHMRC Number : APP1080186, APP1125913
Grant Link
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1080186 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1125913
Abstract
Introduction This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler, a 15-item self-report measurement tool designed to measure Seligman’s five pillars of wellbeing: Positive emotions, Relationships, Engagement, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Methods Australian adults (N = 439) completed the PERMA Profiler and measures of physical and mental health (SF-12), depression, anxiety, stress (DASS 21), subjective physical activity (Active Australia Survey), and objective activity and sleep (GENEActiv accelerometer). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha and associations between theoretically related constructs examined using Pearson’s correlation. Model fit in comparison with theorised models was examined via Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Results Results indicated acceptable internal consistency for overall PERMA Profiler scores and all subscales (α range = 0.80–0.93) except Engagement (α = 0.66). Moderate associations were found between PERMA Profiler wellbeing scores with subjective constructs (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress; r = -0.374 - -0.645, p = < 0.001) but not objective physical activity or sleep. Data failed to meet model fit criteria for neither the theorised five-factor nor an alternative single-factor structure. Conclusions Findings were mixed, providing strong support for the scale’s internal consistency and moderate support for congervent and divergent validity, albeit not in comparison to objectively captured activity outcomes. We could not replicate the theorised data structure nor an alternative, single factor structure. Results indicate insufficient psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler.
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0225932
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Ryan, J., Curtis, R., Olds, T., Edney, S., Vandelanotte, C., Plotnikoff, R., & Maher, C. (2019). Psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler for measuring wellbeing in Australian adults. PLOS ONE, 14(12), article e0225932. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0225932