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Translation and Validation of the Malayalam Version of the Subjective Happiness Scale

Author

Listed:
  • Kelly Cotton

    (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

  • Sanish Sathyan

    (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

  • Soumya Jacob

    (Christ University)

  • K. S. Shaji

    (Kerala University of Health Sciences)

  • Emmeline Ayers

    (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

  • Dristi Adhikari

    (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

  • Alben Sigamani

    (Carmel Research Consultancy Pvt Ltd)

  • VG Pradeep Kumar

    (Baby Memorial Hospital)

  • Joe Verghese

    (Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Abstract

The subjective happiness scale (SHS) is a brief instrument used to measure global subjective happiness that has been translated from its original English to many other languages. To date, there is no reported translation of this scale into Malayalam, a language spoken by over 32 million people especially in the southern state of Kerala, India. In the present study, 656 community-dwelling older adults participating in the Kerala Einstein study (KES) completed the Malayalam version of the SHS. The Malayalam version demonstrated high internal consistency and good convergent validity, as assessed by comparison to measures of depression and anxiety. We also used factor analysis to determine that the Malayalam version of the SHS has a unidimensional structure, akin to the original English as well as other language adaptations. Our study adds to the repertoire of tools to measure happiness in non-English-speaking populations, enabling future research to explore the foundations of well-being across diverse cultures.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelly Cotton & Sanish Sathyan & Soumya Jacob & K. S. Shaji & Emmeline Ayers & Dristi Adhikari & Alben Sigamani & VG Pradeep Kumar & Joe Verghese, 2025. "Translation and Validation of the Malayalam Version of the Subjective Happiness Scale," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 176(1), pages 245-255, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:176:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-024-03448-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-024-03448-y
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