The exploration of psychological well-being has traditionally emphasized a holistic view of mental health, focusing not only on the absence of illness but also on the presence of positive attributes that constitute a fulfilling life. Central to this exploration is the understanding that psychological well-being is inherently dynamic, subject to fluctuations “At-any-Point-in-Time” due to various internal and external factors (Andayani et al., 2021; Bhowmik et al., 2023). This perspective is critical in acknowledging that an individual’s sense of well-being can change significantly over short periods be it days, weeks, or months reflecting the impact of life events, stress, health changes, socioeconomic factors, and psychological processes on mental health (Chilver et al., 2023; Wilkinson et al., 2023).
Studies have shown that internal factors such as emotional maturity, resilience, and self-regulatory resources play a crucial role in determining psychological well-being (Bhowmik et al., 2023; Monika et al., 2023). These factors contribute to an individual’s ability to cope with challenges and maintain a positive state of well-being. On the other hand, external factors such as social support, parent-adolescent relationship, and peer pressure also influence psychological well-being (Wang et al., 2021; Setiawan & Maryanti, 2023). These factors can either enhance or hinder an individual’s well-being depending on their presence or absence. It is important to consider both internal and external factors when addressing psychological well-being, as they interact and influence each other (Ma & Latif, 2022; Andayani et al., 2021; Bhowmik et al., 2023). By understanding and addressing these factors, individuals can work towards improving their psychological well-being and overall quality of life.
Furthermore, the assessment of psychological well-being is nuanced by the influence of sample characteristics, cultural differences, and the challenges posed by translation issues. The reliability and validity of tools designed to measure psychological well-being, such as Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), are susceptible to variations across diverse demographic groups, settings, and cultures. These variations underscore the importance of evaluating the SPWB within the context of these factors to ensure its applicability and accuracy in capturing the complex nature of psychological well-being across global populations.
The concept of psychological well-being is central to understanding human functioning, encapsulating a dynamic and multifaceted construct that significantly impacts individuals’ lives. Psychological well-being extends beyond the absence of mental illness, encompassing positive aspects of human experience, such as autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance (Ryff, 1989). These dimensions, operationalized through Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), provide a comprehensive framework for assessing well-being, contributing to a richer understanding of mental health (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). At any point in time, an individual’s psychological well-being is important for their overall satisfaction and functioning in life. Psychological well-being is influenced by personal resources, self-determination abilities, coping strategies, and actual capabilities (Serdiuk, 2022).
Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) have been a cornerstone in the measurement of these diverse facets of well-being, offering a multidimensional framework that assesses autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and self-acceptance (Ryff, 1989a; Ryff & Keyes, 1995). However, the reliability of tools like the SPWB, crucial for ensuring consistent and valid assessments of psychological well-being, may be influenced by various factors, including temporal variations and individual differences (Raykov, 2023; McKim, 2022; Piñeiro-Cossio et al., 2023). Such considerations raise questions about the scale's ability to capture the detailed changes in well-being at different time points across diverse populations. Meta-analysis of reliability generalization serves as an essential approach in this context, offering a method to synthesize reliability coefficients across studies and examine the SPWB's performance over time.
In addition to internal consistency and psychometric properties, the adaptation of SPWB and across different linguistic and cultural contexts raises critical considerations (Calderon Kim, Ratsameemonthon, & Pupanead, 2020; Costea-Bărluțiu, Bălaș-Baconschi, & Hathazi 2018; Muttaqin, 2022). The process of translating and culturally adapting the scale for use in non-English speaking countries necessitates meticulous attention to ensure that the nuanced aspects of well-being are accurately captured, reflecting the diverse cultural understandings of well-being components (Chan et al., 2019; Viejo et al., 2018). This adaptation process not only affects the scale's reliability but also its validity in assessing the intended constructs of psychological well-being in varied cultural settings.
Given the pivotal role of SPWB in assessing psychological well-being and the varying findings regarding its reliability, this review aims to synthesize the existing literature on the reliability of SPWB. The objective is to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the reliability generalization of Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) as a suitable tool for assessing individual psychological well-being at any point in time across different demographic groups, settings, and time periods. This involves a detailed examination of how sample characteristics, cultural differences, and translation issues may impact the scale's reliability and validity. By integrating these considerations, the review aims to provide insights into the applicability of SPWB across diverse populations and cultural contexts, highlighting the need for careful adaptation and validation of the scale to ensure its effectiveness in measuring the multidimensional aspects of psychological well-being.
Moreover, this review recognizes the importance of addressing the internal structure and model-data fit of the SPWB considering these factors. Recent critiques and studies have raised concerns about the fit of the scale’s theoretical structure across different cultural contexts and translations (Gao & McLellan, 2018). Discussing the evidence of reliability in conjunction with the scale's internal structure will contribute to a more detailed understanding of the SPWB's utility and areas where further refinement is needed.
Such an approach underscores the complexity of measuring psychological well-being and the critical need for scales that are not only psychometrically robust but also flexible and sensitive to the varied expressions of well-being across human societies. In doing so, this review aspires to advance the field's understanding of psychological well-being measurement and promote the development of assessment tools that are both globally applicable and locally relevant.
1.2 Objectives of the Review
Given the pivotal role of SPWB in assessing psychological well-being and the varying findings regarding its reliability, this review aims to synthesize the existing literature on the reliability of SPWB. The objective is to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the reliability generalization of Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) as a suitable tool for assessing individual psychological well-being at any point in time across different demographic groups, settings, and time periods.