Translation, Adaptation and Validation of the Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale in Economically Active Adults from the Peruvian Highlands

Abstract

Having financial well-being reduces stress and improves quality of life. Given the scarcity of validated instruments in Peru, this study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale in workers from the Peruvian highlands. Using an instrumental design, 1,059 workers of both sexes, aged between 18 and 65 years, voluntarily participated. The participants were recruited from three cities in southern Peru: Cuzco, Arequipa, and Puno. The results showed that all items were positively evaluated by expert judges. The internal structure was validated through confirmatory factor analysis, which confirmed the original model: CFI = .992, RMSEA = .063, SRMR = .027, with factor loadings ranging from .34 to .79, and very good reliability (ω = .82). Additionally, the scale demonstrated invariance by gender and type of work, showing significant correlations with other instruments measuring Financial Stress, General Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction, indicating its convergent validity. In conclusion, the translated and adapted Financial Well-Being Scale for the Peruvian context (EBF-Per) is a brief, valid, and reliable measure for Peruvian workers, making it useful for research aimed at evaluating levels of financial well-being.