The Multidimensional Wellbeing in Youth Scale (MWYS): Development and Psychometric Properties

Kayla H. Green*, Suzanne van de Groep, Renske van der Cruijsen, Marike G. Polak, Eveline A. Crone

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
103 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In the present multi-sample mixed method study, we developed a novel assessment tool of youth wellbeing, the Multidimensional Wellbeing in Youth Scale (MWYS). In Study 1, an online survey study among Dutch-speaking adolescents and young adults (N = 339, Mage = 18.44 years, SD = 3.53, 79 % females) was conducted to inspect which initial MWYS-items were viewed as being important for their wellbeing. In Study 2, we co-evaluated the original MWYS-items and co-created new items with adolescents and young adults (N = 25) via focus groups. In Study 3, we examined the validity and reliability of the updated MWYS in a new sample of Dutch-speaking adolescents and young adults (N = 239, Mage = 19.68 years, SD = 4.40, 68 % females). Principal Components Analyses revealed five preliminary components of adolescent wellbeing: 1) having impact, purpose, and meaning; 2) dealing with stress and worry; 3) family relationships; 4) self-confidence; and 5) feeling respected, appreciated, and loved. These MWYS-components were related to other measures of mental health and wellbeing, and the MWYS showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In conclusion, the MWYS was found to be a valid and reliable measure of youth wellbeing.

Original languageEnglish
Article number112038
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume204
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We are grateful to Maja Dekovic for her advice. This study was funded by the NWO Spinoza prize awarded to Eveline A. Crone, and the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement nr. 681632).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors

Research programs

  • ESSB PSY

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Multidimensional Wellbeing in Youth Scale (MWYS): Development and Psychometric Properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this