Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of an Adult Version of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS) - Abstract and Background Study Overview

Q: What was the purpose of evaluating the adult version of the SWPS?

To test the psychometric properties of the adult version of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale, a tool intended to measure positive health.

Q: How was the adult SWPS tested in the study?

A sample of 304 administrative, academic, and staff personnel completed the adult SWPS to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Q: What evidence supported the reliability and validity of the adult SWPS?

The scale showed a seven-factor multidimensional structure with good internal consistency, positive correlations with perceived health and life satisfaction, and negative correlations with depression and a symptom measure.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Grenda

Study evaluates psychometric properties of an adult version of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS), developed to measure positive health rather than the mere absence of disease. Using a sample of 304 administrative, academic, and staff participants, results show a seven-factor multidimensional structure with good internal consistency. SWPS correlates positively with perceived health and life satisfaction and demonstrates validity through negative associations with depression and symptom measures, supporting reliability for health education practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Research Article Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of an Adult Version of the Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS) Craig Becker, Lauren Whetstone, Mary Glascoff, and Justin B. Moore ABSTRACT Background: Traditional health measurement tools use a pathogenic, or disease origins framework, to assess for the absence of disease or risk factors. Good or positive health, however, is more than the absence of disease and current tools do not reflect this. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the adult version of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS), a tool designed to measure positive health. Methods: Building on the previously validated young adult version of the SWPS, new scale items were developed for working adults. A sample of 304 administrative, academics, and staff personnel tested the psychometric properties of the adult version of the SWPS. Results: The SWPS demonstrated it had a seven factor multidimensional structure, had good internal consistency, and was positively correlated with perceived health (p<.0001) and life satisfaction (p<.001). Validity was also supported by negative correlations between the SWPS and both a depression and symptom measure. Discussion: The SWPS demonstrated good evidence of reliability and validity and fills a positive health status assessment need. Translation to Health EducationPractice: Using the SWPS with adult populations could assist health educators in their development of effective health promotion practices. BACKGROUND The idea and concept of positive health has been discussed since the 1950s. For example, Abraham Maslow proposed possible reciprocal benefits for individuals and society if we would work towards positive health1 and later introduced the concept of positive psychology.2 Similar positive health concepts were proposed by Dunn3, 4 in his articles and book 5 about high level wellness forman and society. Dunn articulated that there must be more than a simple state of“unsickness.”5 (p2) In 1972 Breslow, in supporting the idea of positive health, proposed the development of a quantitative measure for the positive or physical, mental, and social well-being portion of the WHO’s definition of health.6 If positive health is the desired outcome, it should be necessary to not only work to prevent and treat disease, but also to develop methodologies and strategies to promote physical, mental, and social well-being. Past and current researchers5, 7-12 have proposed that we can do better than simply be free from risk factors and disease. As the World Health Organization (WHO) definition proclaims, health is …not merely the absence of disease and infirmity…it is (the presence) of physical, mental, and social well-being. 13, 14 Although positive health outcomes are desired, health professionals continue to use pathology—the study of disease origins—as their underlying framework when working to develop health pro- Craig Becker is assistant professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, 110 Christenbury, Greenville, NC 27858; E-mail: beckerc@ecu. edu. Lauren Whetstone is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine, East Carolina University, 110 Christenbury, Greenville, NC 27858; E-mail: whetstonel@ [ecu.edu. Mary Glascoff](ecu.edu. Mary Glascoff) is a professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, 110 Christenbury, Greenville, NC 27858. Justin B. Moore is an assistant professor & director of research in the Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Blvd., Greenville, NC 27834. 322 American Journal of Health Education—November/December 2008, Volume 39, No. 6 Craig Becker, Lauren Whetstone, Mary Glascoff, and Justin B. Moore grams.15, 16 An assumption in that approach is that the absence of pathology-related problems represents the p

FAQs

What was the purpose of evaluating the adult version of the SWPS?

To test the psychometric properties of the adult version of the multidimensional Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale, a tool intended to measure positive health.

How was the adult SWPS tested in the study?

A sample of 304 administrative, academic, and staff personnel completed the adult SWPS to evaluate its psychometric properties.

What evidence supported the reliability and validity of the adult SWPS?

The scale showed a seven-factor multidimensional structure with good internal consistency, positive correlations with perceived health and life satisfaction, and negative correlations with depression and a symptom measure.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Grenda