Brief Russian-language instruments to measure subjective well-being: Psychometric properties and comparative analysis

Abstract

The paper overviews the model of subjective well-being proposed by E. Diener and the existing Russian-language instruments tapping into different aspects of well-being. The authors present two studies aimed at Russian-language validation of popular well-being measures. The first study analyzes the psychometric properties of Subjective Happiness Scale by S. Lyubomirsky and Satisfaction with Life Scale by E. Diener in a large sample of adults representing various social groups (N = 7091). The Russian-language versions of both instruments show theoretically predicted structure, high internal consistency and predictable link with a range of other measures of subjective well-being, constructive thinking, and positive functioning. The second study involving respondents from an online panel (N = 1021) stratified across Russian federal districts is focused on validation of the Mental Health Continuum questionnaire by C. Keyes which measures emotional, social, and psychological well-being. The authors study the relationship between its scales and other indicators of subjective well-being and life quality. The results support the structural validity and indicate high reliability of scales. The authors present the stimulus materials for all three measures which can be used in well-being research in Russian-language samples.