Scale-Description

The Flourishing Scale (FS-8), as developed by Diener et al., is a brief scale consisting of 8 items designed to measure subjective well-being and the sense of “flourishing” across various aspects of life. The scale focuses on positive aspects of psychological well-being, such as:
Life satisfaction.
Positive social relationships.
Sense of meaning and purpose.
Feelings of competence and autonomy.
This scale captures an individual’s overall psychological health and personal well-being, emphasizing fulfillment and personal growth.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data is collected through questionnaires where participants respond to statements using Likert scales, typically with 7 points (from 1: Strongly disagree, to 7: Strongly agree). The total score ranges from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater “flourishing.”
The data derived from the FS-8 can be analyzed using various statistical methods:
Averages and standard deviations to observe general trends.
Reliability analysis, such as calculating Cronbach’s alpha, to ensure internal consistency of responses.
Correlation with other psychological health scales to check convergent and divergent validity.

Purpose

The main goal of the Flourishing Scale is to provide a measure of psychological well-being and overall human development, focusing on personal fulfillment and overall happiness. It is commonly used:
In mental health research to assess well-being in general and clinical populations.
In longitudinal studies to track individuals’ well-being over time.
In mental health intervention programs to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy or support.

Calibration

The calibration of the FS-8 is done using classic psychometric methods. The reliability and validity of the scale have been confirmed through the following steps:
Reliability analysis: Using Cronbach’s alpha to verify the internal consistency of the scale’s 8 items.
Construct validity: Factor analysis to examine the underlying dimensions of well-being.
Convergent validity: Correlating with other well-being and mental health scales, such as the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), to determine if the measurements are positively related.

Bibliography

Diener, E., Wirtz, D., Tov, W., Kim-Prieto, C., Choi, D., Oishi, S., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). New well-being measures: Short scales to assess flourishing and positive and negative feelings. Social Indicators Research, 97(2), 143-156.
This study describes the development of the FS-8 and its use in well-being research.
Huppert, F. A., & So, T. T. (2013). Flourishing across Europe: Application of a new conceptual framework for defining well-being. Social Indicators Research, 110(3), 837-861.
This study applies the FS-8 to various European populations, offering interesting cross-national comparisons of psychological well-being.
Schotanus-Dijkstra, M., Ten Have, M., Lamers, S. M., De Graaf, R., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). The longitudinal relationship between flourishing mental health and incident mood, anxiety and substance use disorders. European Journal of Public Health, 26(6), 926-932.