Psychometric validation of the PERMA-profiler for well-being in Chinese adults.

Well-being is one of the central topics in psychology, and research on this topic has shifted from emotional experiences to flourishing life in recent years. Seligman's PERMA model is a prominent theory in this shift. However, this model is proposed in Western culture and has yet to be empirically validated in the Chinese context. The present research aims to examine the applicability of the five-dimension PERMA-Profiler in Chinese culture, which has been developed based on the PERMA model. A sample of 1468 Chinese adults participated in the research. After translation and validation, a series of psychometric analyses were conducted to examine the internal consistency reliability, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and factorial invariance across genders. The PERMA-Profiler Chinese showed high Cronbach's alpha coefficients (α = 0.79-0.88), good divergent (r = -0.19 to -0.38) and convergent validity (r = 0.53-0.85), as well as satisfactory structural validity. Results of the structural validity demonstrated a better fit to the first-order model with five correlated factors after modification (χ2/df = 4.65, RMSEA = 0.058, SRMR = 0.030, CFI = 0.943, TLI = 0.924) than the second-order model with a higher-order factor of well-being. However, the engagement dimension of the PERMA-Profiler Chinese could be improved further. In conclusion, the PERMA model is applicable to the Chinese culture, and the PERMA-Profiler provides a valid measure of well-being for Chinese adults.

Open-mindedness trait affects the development of intercultural communication competence in short-term overseas study programs: a mixed-method exploration.

BACKGROUND: Overseas study trips can enhance healthcare students' intercultural communication competence. An opportunity to immerse in the new culture enables them to develop their ability to offer services to people from different countries. However, the role that open-mindedness (i.e., a personality trait) can play in this process has not been explored. METHODS: The present study adopted a mixed-method design to identify how open-mindedness trait affected this overseas learning process. Thirty-two undergraduate healthcare students in Australia took part in the study. Questionnaires, which measured socio-demographic information, intercultural communication competence and open-mindedness trait were administered to the participants before and after their overseas trip. Half of the participants (n = 16) were interviewed after the overseas trip. RESULTS: The correlational analysis showed that the open-mindedness trait was correlated with cultural skills, a component of intercultural communication competence, but not significant with the other three components. Three themes emerging from the qualitative data indicated that the open-mindedness trait affected students' cultural exposure. This trait enabled participants to be actively involved in the immersion in the local culture. They were willing to learn from peer fellows, and keen to embrace novel challenges. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that open-mindedness trait is vital for increasing cultural immersion, and hence promote intercultural communication skills.