Validation of the Multidimensional Flourishing Scale and Exploration of its Relationship with the Big-Five Personality Traits in India

Abstract

The Multidimensional Flourishing Scale (MFS) developed by Mesurado, Crespo, Rodríguez, Debeljuh, and Carlier (2018) measures the three dimensions of psychological flourishing (Social wellbeing, Psychological wellbeing, and Emotional wellbeing) in an individual. The new comprehensive scale better accounts for the social and cultural context of India. Therefore, the present study set out to validate psychometric properties of the MFS in India and further added to the present knowledge of wellbeing by exploring the association between psychological flourishing and the Big-Five personality traits, using a sample of 174 urban middle-class English-speaking individuals. Exploratory Factor Analysis confirmed the multidimensional nature of the scale with three-factor structure representing social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. Along with demonstrating good internal consistency reliability (α = .94), correlational analysis with Resilience and Depression scales confirmed convergent and divergent validity of MFS, respectively. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that personality traits accounted for 77% of the variance in flourishing. Emotional stability, conscientiousness and openness to experience emerged as significant predictors which added 5.6%, 3.9% and 2.7% unique variance, respectively. The study provides initial evidence for the validity of the MFS and suggests minor modifications for its Indian adaptation. Findings also indicate that personality is an important determinant of flourishing.