Construction, reliability, and validity of the Hindi version of paranormal and supernatural beliefs scale

Background: The Paranormal and Supernatural Beliefs Scale (PSBS) is fascinating to Indians since these beliefs are common in India, and this scale can help quantify them. A practical barrier to using this scale in India is that it is in English, which only a few understand. Aim: To prepare and assess the reliability and validity of the Hindi version of the PSBS. Materials and Methods: Two subject experts fluent in English and Hindi produced two separate Hindi translations of the PSBS, resulting in Versions 1 and 2 of the scale. Subject experts, by consensus, developed version 3. Version 3 was back-translated into English by two bilingual experts, creating version 4. Version 4 was translated back into Hindi to prepare version 5. This version was tested on thirty participants who provided feedback on difficulties in understanding the scale’s items. After making the necessary revisions, the final version, 6, was created and used in the study. The study included participants conversing in both English and Hindi through purposive sampling. Initially, they were administered alternately, using the English PSBS or the Hindi translation along with the sociodemographic proforma. Fourteen days later, those who initially received the Hindi translation filled out the English scale, and vice versa. Results: A total of 208 subjects were included in the study sample. The scores of the English PSBS were significantly positively correlated with the scores of the Hindi translation. The participants quickly comprehended the Hindi translation of the PSBS. The Hindi version of the PSBS had acceptable split-half reliability and high internal consistency. A principal components analysis with varimax rotation yielded a one-factor solution. It was evident from the Rasch analysis of the Hindi PSBS that the scale had good infit and outfit values and acceptable person reliability. Conclusion: The Hindi version of PSBS is a reliable and valid tool to assess the supernatural and paranormal beliefs of the Hindi-speaking population.