The validation of the perceived wellness survey in the South African Police Service

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to assess the validity and reliability of a Setswana translation of the Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS) in the South African Police Service and to investigate differences in the perceived wellness of police members, based on gender, qualification, age and rank. A cross-sectional survey design with an accidental sample (N = 673) of Setswana speaking police personnel was used. The Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS) and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Two reliable factors, namely wellness and unwellness, were extracted in a random sample (n = 335) and in a replication sample (n = 338). However, an alternative interpretation was also possible. Statistically significant differences were found between perceived wellness of employees in terms of age and rank.