Psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler for measuring wellbeing in Australian adults

Jillian Ryan; Rachel Curtis; Tim Olds; Sarah Edney; Corneel Vandelanotte; Ronald Plotnikoff; Carol Maher

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225932

Psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler for measuring wellbeing in Australian adults

PLoS One. 2019 Dec 23;14(12):e0225932. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225932. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Jillian Ryan^{1

2}, Rachel Curtis², Tim Olds², Sarah Edney², Corneel Vandelanotte³, Ronald Plotnikoff⁴, Carol Maher²

Affiliations

¹ Precision Health Future Science Platform, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
² Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition, and Activity, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
³ Physical Activity Research Group, School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Norman Gardens, Queensland, Australia.
⁴ Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler, a 15-item self-report measurement tool designed to measure Seligman's five pillars of wellbeing: Positive emotions, Relationships, Engagement, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

Methods: Australian adults (N = 439) completed the PERMA Profiler and measures of physical and mental health (SF-12), depression, anxiety, stress (DASS 21), subjective physical activity (Active Australia Survey), and objective activity and sleep (GENEActiv accelerometer). Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's alpha and associations between theoretically related constructs examined using Pearson's correlation. Model fit in comparison with theorised models was examined via Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Results: Results indicated acceptable internal consistency for overall PERMA Profiler scores and all subscales (α range = 0.80-0.93) except Engagement (α = 0.66). Moderate associations were found between PERMA Profiler wellbeing scores with subjective constructs (e.g. depression, anxiety, stress; r = -0.374 - -0.645, p = <0.001) but not objective physical activity or sleep. Data failed to meet model fit criteria for neither the theorised five-factor nor an alternative single-factor structure.

Conclusions: Findings were mixed, providing strong support for the scale's internal consistency and moderate support for congervent and divergent validity, albeit not in comparison to objectively captured activity outcomes. We could not replicate the theorised data structure nor an alternative, single factor structure. Results indicate insufficient psychometric properties of the PERMA Profiler.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Anxiety
Australia / epidemiology
Depression
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
Mental Disorders / psychology
Mental Health* / statistics & numerical data
Middle Aged
Psychometrics* / methods
Public Health Surveillance
Quality of Life
Registries
Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study used data from a larger project funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Project Grant (APP1080186). JR and RC were also supported by the NHMRC Project Grant. CM was supported by a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (APP1125913). CV was supported by a Future Leader Fellowship from the National Heart Foundation of Australia (ID 100427). SE was supported by an Australian Government RTIS PhD Scholarship. The funding bodies had no role in the design, data collection, analysis or interpretation of this study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.