Evaluation of positive psychological constructs in Hispanic population: The case of Beliefs about Enjoying Life

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Spanish translation of the Savoring Beliefs Inventory (SBI).

Methods: 419 voluntary adults participated. Four samples were evaluated: university students, general population, psychiatric outpatients and domestic violence victims. All participants completed SBI; 319 subjects answer also measures of General Well Being Scale, Positive and negative affectivity, Depression, Hopelessness and guilt. A sub sample of 52 was retested fifteen days later.

Results: Cronbach alphas for SBI were: total score = .91, anticipating subs- cale = .84, present moment subscale = .75, and past subscale= .89. SBI correlations between first and second application were significant, ranging from .59 to .77. SBI correlated directly and significantly with positive affect and general well being. Inverse significant correlations were found between SBI scores and negative affect, depression, hopelessness and guilt scores. Significant between-groups differences were found in SBI’s “present moment”, “past moment” and “total” scores among the general population and the psychiatric patients samples. Mean lower scores were found for the psychiatric population (F=9.80; gl=2; p=.000; F=3.26; gl=2; p=.039; F=5.90; gl=2;p=.003, respectively). SBI factor analysis showed a similar grouping as the original English version.

Conclusion: SBI Spanish version showed acceptable reliability and validity indicators among Hispanic population.