Science Journal of Psychology
February 2012, Volume 2012, ISSN:2276-6278
© Author(s) 2012. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research Article
How Suitable is the Satisfaction with Life Scale For Use On Adolescents in Nigeria
1Oladipo S.E., 2Balogun S.K.
1Department of Counselling Psychology
College of Applied Education and Vocational Technology,Tai Solarin University of Education,
Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.
2Department of Psychology
Faculty of the Social Sciences,University of Ibadan
Oyo State, Nigeria
Accepted 25 Januaury 2012; Available Online 20 February, 2012
doi: 10.7237/sjpsych/228
Abstract:
This paper describes the re-validation of satisfaction with life scale for use in Nigeria. Whereas adult life satisfaction has been studied extensively, the life satisfaction of adolescents has only received attention more recently. Yet life satisfaction is a central construct in positive psychology. It is believed that re-validation of the scale will make it culturally valid for use in Nigeria. Using a convenient sampling procedure, 1429 undergraduates were sampled from four universities in southwestern Nigeria to participate in the study. 475 (33.2%) males and 953 (66.8%) females, ages ranging between 16 to 27 years (M=28.47, SD = 8.76). Principal component analysis yielded only component solution which accounted for 70% of variance. Cronbach alpha of .79 was obtained for the scale. It was concluded that the satisfaction with life scale has a good structural characteristic and is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used among adolescents in Nigeria.
Keyword:life satisfaction, undergraduates, adolescents, Southwestern, Nigeria, psychometric properties.