Discriminant validity of well-being measures

J Pers Soc Psychol. 1996 Sep;71(3):616-28. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.71.3.616.

Abstract

The convergent and discriminant validities of well-being concepts were examined using multitrait-multimethod matrix analyses (D. T. Campbell & D. W. Fiske, 1959) on 3 sets of data. In Study 1, participants completed measures of life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, self-esteem, and optimism on 2 occasions 4 weeks apart and also obtained 3 informant ratings. In Study 2, participants completed each of the 5 measures on 2 occasions 2 years apart and collected informant reports at Time 2. In Study 3, participants completed 2 different scales for each of the 5 constructs. Analyses showed that (a) life satisfaction is discriminable from positive and negative affect, (b) positive affect is discriminable from negative affect, (c) life satisfaction is discriminable from optimism and self-esteem, and (d) optimism is separable from trait measures of negative affect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Happiness*
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Personality
  • Reference Values
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Perception