Measuring positive psychological capital: scale construction and validation by structural equating modeling

The field of psychology is broadly perceived in a wide scope of areas, including relationship, education, wellbeing, sports, military, professional and domestic life. Individuals’ behaviors depend upon their psychological thinking style. An individual performs the tasks in a better way with positive psychological thinking instead of a negative thinker. This study was conducted to measure and validate the positive psychological capital scale by using structural equating modeling. Factors analysis was done for instrument validation. A quantitative approach was used to conduct this survey study. University teachers participated in the study as a research sample. A five-point Likert-type scale was used to obtain the information from respondents. The Smart PLS software was used for data analysis. The results of the study displayed that scale is valid and reliable. Teachers’ psychological thinking consisted of four factors and all dimensions have a moderate positive relationship with positive psychological thinking. The R-value of the construct is 0.947 and it is much bigger than the required value. It seems that the goodness of the model exists that confirms the validation of the instrument. Further, all values of the tests applied in SEM ensure that the questionnaire is a valid measure of the psychological capital in the Pakistani context. It is recommended to administer the questionnaire in local settings for upcoming quantitative research studies.