Intellectual and moral well-being as dimensions of human flourishing: the development and validation of a multidimensional scale

Abstract

This study developed and validated an expanded multidimensional measure of flourishing that incorporates moral and intellectual well-being. Two studies were conducted with university students in Argentina. Study 1 (N = 560) used exploratory factor analysis to identify a 20-item, five-factor structure comprising emotional, social, psychological, moral, and intellectual well-being. Study 2 (N = 427) tested this structure using confirmatory factor analysis, which indicated good fit (CFI = .93, TLI = .92, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .05). Internal consistency was adequate for the total scale (Ω = .86) and acceptable for most subscales, although moral and intellectual well-being subscales showed lower but acceptable reliability. Convergent validity was supported by positive associations with personal growth, academic engagement, and perseverance. The five-factor model demonstrated superior fit compared to alternative structures, supporting the distinctiveness of moral and intellectual well-being within the broader flourishing construct. These findings extend prevailing models of flourishing by providing empirical support for a more comprehensive conceptualization of well-being. The resulting scale offers a concise and psychometrically robust instrument suitable for research in positive psychology and educational contexts, and may inform interventions aimed at fostering both ethical and intellectual growth.