Development and Validation of the Emotional Well-Being Questionnaire: Evidence from Thai Adults and Application to Organizational Leaders
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Abstract
This study aimed to develop and validate the Emotional Well-Being Questionnaire (EWBQ) for application in the Thai context, with specific attention to cultural adaptation, psychometric rigor, and practical use in organizational leadership. The objectives were threefold: first, to construct the EWBQ through an extensive review of existing international instruments, cultural contextualization, and expert evaluation; second, to examine the reliability and validity of the instrument with Thai adults; and third, to apply and validate its use among organizational leaders to assess its utility in leadership development and mental health promotion.
- The development process integrated established measures such as the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS), the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales with Buddhist-informed constructs, including mindfulness (sati) and loving-kindness (mettā). Rigorous translation and back-translation procedures were conducted, and expert review using the Index of Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) confirmed the content validity of all items. Pilot testing with Thai adults demonstrated both linguistic clarity and cultural resonance, ensuring the instrument reflected not only global frameworks but also distinct Thai sociocultural values of compassion, social harmony, and spiritual meaning.
- Psychometric testing yielded strong evidence of reliability and validity. Cronbach’s alpha values consistently exceeded .96, indicating excellent internal consistency. Factor analysis confirmed a multidimensional structure across six domains: positive emotion, emotional regulation, social support, meaning, accomplishment, and engagement, establishing construct validity. Criterion validity was supported through correlations with existing well-being indicators, underscoring the robustness of the EWBQ in measuring emotional well-being among Thai adults.
- Application of the EWBQ with organizational leaders further demonstrated its practical value. Following a structured mindfulness and loving-kindness intervention, leaders showed significant improvement in emotional well-being, with pretest mean scores (M = 50.73, SD = 12.41) rising to posttest scores (M = 66.23, SD = 8.17). Paired-sample t-test results indicated a highly significant effect (t(39) = 9.47, p < .001), while reduced variability in posttest scores reflected consistent gains across participants. These findings highlight the sensitivity of the EWBQ to capture changes in well-being and its applicability in leadership contexts, supporting resilience, compassion, and ethical decision-making.
The EWBQ represents a culturally grounded, psychometrically validated instrument that bridges international frameworks with Thai cultural and spiritual values. It contributes to both academic scholarship and applied practice by offering a reliable tool for research, organizational development, and policy design. Beyond measurement, the EWBQ serves as a foundation for initiatives aimed at promoting mental health, enhancing leadership capacities, and advancing sustainable well-being in Thai society.
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