Development And Validation Of The Feeling Better Scale (FBS)

Abstract

The Feeling Better Scale (FBS) is a new self-report measure of ‘state well-being’. It assesses well-being following the use of skills learnt in a school-based positive psychology intervention program, A Lust for Life (ALFL). The FBS, along with other validated measures, were administered to 305 children. Additionally, these scales were administered to 345 children who completed the ALFL programs and 382 children who were in a control group. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that a 23-item, 2-factor version of the FBS best fit the data. The FBS had excellent reliability (α=0.93, ω=0.93).  There was weak, but significant test-retest reliability (ICC=0.2, p<0.001, N=382). The FBS had good concurrent and construct validity moderately correlated with trait well-being (r(304)=0.34, p<.01). It was responsive to change following ALFL intervention (t(344)=3.07, p<.01, SRM=0.17). Overall, the FBS is a measure of state well-being that may be used to evaluate the impact of the ALFL program.