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Journal of Public Health

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01-04-2017 | Original Article

Validation of the German Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) in a community-based sample of adults in Austria: a bi-factor modelling approach

Authors: Gert Lang, Almut Bachinger

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 2/2017

Abstract

Aim

This article reports on the validation of the German version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) in a community-based sample of adults living in Vienna, Austria (n = 625).

Subject and methods

For psychometric property testing, survey data were rigorously analysed with advanced multivariate methods under aspects of validity and reliability. The properties of the total scale scores are examined by descriptive statistics.

Results

There was a high response rate to the scale (94.2%) with uni-modal distributed and slightly skewed items. The one-factor Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) model was not supported by the data, but the structure of the WEMWBS was excellently described by a bi-factor model [χ ² = 160.63 (60), RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.03] with one strong general MWB factor (ECV = 0.70, ωH = 0.81) and three relatively weak residualised (group) factors (ECV < 0.15, ωS < 0.29), which were associated with the domains of MWB (positive affect, functioning and personal relationships). The mean total score of the 14-item scale was 54.5 (53.8–55.2) and slightly skewed, but with no floor or ceiling effects. There was a moderate correlation with the EUROHIS-QOL scale (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) and score differences in major socio-demographic groups (age, education level, marital status).

Conclusions

The German version of the WEMWBS achieved good validity and reliability in our test sample and is recommended for future applications. Advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods are suggested to further test the scale.

The concepts MWB and PMH are often used interchangeably. In the following report, we will refer to MWB.

By adaption and shortening of the Affectometer 2 scale (Tennant et al. 2006).

Note: For a good fit, the χ ² value should be non-significant, but is rarely obtained when the sample is large, as is the case in the present study.

A more parsimonious but incomplete CBA model including only group factors GF1 and GF2 but without GF3 also resulted in an excellent model fit: χ ² = 186.54 (64), RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.96, SRMR = 0.03.

Cronbach’s alpha (α) was 0.92 for the total score and 0.74, 0.66 and 0.60 for the group factors.

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Title: Validation of the German Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) in a community-based sample of adults in Austria: a bi-factor modelling approach
Authors: Gert Lang
Almut Bachinger
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 2/2017
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-016-0778-8

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Validation of the German Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) in a community-based sample of adults in Austria: a bi-factor modelling approach

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Aim

Subject and methods

Results

Conclusions

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