DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF FEAR OF HAPPINESS SCALE

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to develop and validate the fear of happiness Scale in Urdu language. Purposive sampling technique and Cross-sectional survey research design were used. The study was conducted in Central Punjab Pakistan from April 2023 to December 2024. Beck Cognitive Theory was used to develop the scale, scale based on three main factors including cognitive, behavioral and physiological symptoms. Comprehensive process, involving the DSM-5, literature review, and focus groups, led to an initial pool of 55 items. Expert evaluation resulted in the retention of 45 items post-pilot study. Data collection, executed through a self-reported questionnaire administered to (N=920) participants, preceded a thorough reliability analysis using both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The scale's construction, refinement, and validation underscore its suitability for assessing cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms in the community. Results indicated 0.879 the acceptable value of Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (Pallant, 2020). Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed a CFI value of 0.905, and a GFI of 0.899, both considered good. Furthermore, Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.938 indicates strong reliability and internal consistency of the scale. The fear of happiness scale is a valid and reliable instrument. Moreover, the Fear of happiness scale can be used in future research and clinical applications.