Indonesian Version of Satisfaction with Life Scale, a Psychometric Evaluation with Rasch Model

Abstract

Previous studies on The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) showed inconsistency, primarily related to the justice principle based on gender when using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the psychometric property of the Indonesian version of SWLS using the Rasch model. This model can be used as an evaluation technique for psychological instruments. The Rasch model showed a more detailed analysis than CFA, explaining person-item fit statistics, rating scale diagnosis, item calibration, and differential item functioning. The total participants after person fit checking were 1,154 university students who completed an online survey consisting of demographic data and a five-item Indonesian version of SWLS. The Rasch Rating Scale Analysis (RSM) showed that the Indonesian version of SWLS fulfilled unidimensional and local independence assumptions. The items delivered a good item fit index with a five-point rating scale, and there were no gender biases in moderate level and high differential item functioning (DIF). Therefore, the Indonesian version of SWLS is recommended for further research measuring life satisfaction. This research implies that using the Indonesian version of SWLS, especially in Indonesia, can use a five-point rating scale for future research.