A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Affect Balance Scale in 38 Nations: A Research Note

The Affect Balance Scale (ABS) is a widely used measure of social psychological well-being. This study applies confirmatory factor analysis to assess the validity of the positive and negative subscales for use in cross-national research. Results show that the data collected in the World Values Survey do not fit the model developed by Bradburn (1969) in any of the 38 countries surveyed. As many as four factors are required to fit these data. Criticisms of the ABS that grew out of earlier research on American samples provide some possible explanations for the disconfirmation of the measurement model.