title: The positivity scale.
abstract: Five studies document the validity of a new 8-item scale designed to measure positivity, defined as the tendency to view life and experiences with a positive outlook. In the first study (N = 372), the psychometric properties of Positivity Scale (P Scale) were examined in accordance with classical test theory using a large number of college participants. In Study 2, the unidimensionality of the P Scale was corroborated with confirmatory factor analysis in 2 independent samples (N₁ = 322; N₂ = 457). In Study 3, P Scale invariance across sexes and its relations with self-esteem, life satisfaction, optimism, positive negative affect, depression, and the Big Five provided further evidence of the internal and construct validity of the new measure in a large community sample (N = 3,589). In Study 4, test-retest reliability of the P Scale was found in a sample of college students (N = 262) who were readministered the scale after 5 weeks. In Study 5, measurement invariance and construct validity of P Scale were further supported across samples in different countries and cultures, including Italy (N = 689), the United States (N = 1,187), Japan (N = 281), and Spain (N = 302). Psychometric findings across diverse cultural context attest to the robustness of the P Scale and to positivity as a basic disposition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. gianvittorio.caprara@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Gian Vittorio
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Caprara
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alessandri
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kupfer
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steca
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Caprara
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukuzawa
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abela
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality / Q000502:physiology*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult