A 3-Faced Construct Validation and a Bifactor Subjective Well-Being Model Using the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience, Greek Version

Abstract

The present study focused on the dimensionality of the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) by: 1) providing evidence that the Greek version of SPANE is a robust affect measure; 2) constructing a new, briefer SPANE version, the SPANE-8 with promising psychometric profile. The construct validation was implemented on 2272 Greek adults using the “3-faced construct validation method”, a construct validation procedure based on sample-splitting. Sample was split in three parts. EFA and Bifactor EFA models were evaluated in the 20% subsample. Then, in the 40% subsample, a total of 10 CFA models were examined (ICM-CFA, Bifactor CFA, ESEM and Bifactor ESEM models). The optimal models of SPANE-12 and SPANE-8 were successfully cross-validated in another 40% subsample. Strict measurement invariance, using the optimal model as a baseline model was successful for both SPANE versions. Reliability (α and ω) and AVE convergent validity were also satisfactory. Correlation analysis based on 10 different measures showed a consistent scheme of relations for both versions. Finally, a Bifactor CFA subjective well-being model using SPANE to measure affect was adequately fitted. In sum, the Greek version of SPANE-12 and the new SPANE-8 are invariant, reliable and valid measures of affect. Normative data are made available.