Translation and adaptation of psychological well-being scale (PWBS) and its psychometric validation

This study aimed to adapt and validate Carol Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS) into Bangla for the context of Bangladesh. A sample of 264 students from public and private universities was selected using a stratified random sampling approach. The PWBS was translated into Bangla, validated through expert reviews and pilot testing, and administered to participants. Unlike the original six-factor PWBS, the Bangla version revealed a five-factor structure, with items relating to environmental mastery showing conflicting loadings and being excluded. The findings highlight unique cultural nuances in the conceptualization of well-being within a non-Western context. This advances the understanding of how psychological well-being is expressed across diverse societies and contributes to the broader agenda of making psychological assessment more inclusive and representative of the Global South. The adapted scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.659). This research provides a validated tool for further studies and practical applications in the Bangladeshi context, significantly contributing to the promotion of mental health, supporting individuals in need, advancing scientific knowledge, and informing policies and practices aimed at enhancing well-being at both individual and societal levels.