Brief Description

The PWBS-86 is a self-report scale consisting of 86 items, designed to assess the level of individual psychological well-being. Respondents are asked to rate their agreement with various statements using an agree–disagree format. The scale includes six subscales: Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, Personal Growth, Positive Relations with Others, Purpose in Life, and Self-Acceptance. The mean overall score was 4.52 with a standard deviation of 0.83, while subscale means ranged from 4.29 to 4.78.

Purpose

The scale was developed to evaluate psychological well-being primarily in adults, but it is also suitable for adolescents. It focuses on how individuals experience their lives, their positive orientation toward cognitive and emotional situations, and the extent to which they respond constructively and positively to challenges, experiences, and relationships.

Scoring Method

Scoring is based on a Likert-type scale, where participants indicate the degree of their agreement or disagreement with each item. Each of the six subscales is scored separately, and scores can be aggregated to form an overall well-being index. Higher scores indicate a higher level of psychological well-being.

Validity

The PWBS has demonstrated good validity in both the original and Greek samples. Correlations with other scales measuring self-esteem and psychopathology showed satisfactory values, ranging from 0.60 to 0.70. The translation and adaptation into Greek followed scientific standards, ensuring both content and cross-cultural validity.

Reliability

The six subscales of the PWBS showed strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.87 to 0.93, and good test-retest reliability, with correlation coefficients (r) between 0.81 and 0.88. In the Greek sample, the overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.89, and subscale alphas ranged from 0.86 to 0.89.

Data Analysis and Use

The PWBS can be used to explore various dimensions of psychological well-being in both general and clinical populations. Data can be analyzed at the level of individual subscales or as a total score, and can be correlated with psychosocial variables, levels of psychopathology, or demographic factors. It is particularly useful in research and psychotherapeutic contexts.

References

Leontopoulou, S. (in preparation). The adaptation of the Psychological Well-Being Scales for the Greek population.
Ryff, C. D. (1989a). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations of the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081.
Ryff, C. D. (1989b). Beyond Ponce de Leon and life satisfaction: New directions in quest of successful ageing. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 12(1), 35–55.