Development and validation of the Integrative Vitality Scale.

INTRODUCTION

Vitality is a construct based on traditional vitalism, and is a concept similar to energy (Qi), passion, and motivation as the essential power possessed by organisms. Recently, various methods and tools have been designed to evaluate vitality as a health indicator. This study aimed to develop and validate an Integrative Vitality Scale (IVS) based on traditional Eastern medicine and modern psychology.

METHODS

We conducted two online surveys and one pre-post comparison with Korean adults. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were performed for scale development, and correlation and regression analysis were performed for validation.

RESULTS

Exploratory (n = 348) and confirmatory (n = 349) factor analyses showed that two subfactors (physical and psychological vitality) best represented integrative vitality. The IVS-total and subscales had good internal consistency (α = 0.89-.094) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.71-0.80). Ten health-related experts (e.g., doctors, clinical psychologists, and counselors) evaluated the IVS as having excellent content validity. The IVS-total and subscales had a high correlation with existing vitality-related scales but a low correlation with pathological symptoms such as hypomania, suggesting convergent and discriminant validity. The IVS-total and subscales were negatively correlated with depression and fatigue but positively correlated with well-being and quality of life, suggesting criterion validity. The IVS had additional predictive power for depression, fatigue, and well-being even after controlling for existing vitality-related scales, suggesting incremental validity. Finally, after 16 weeks of mindfulness training (n = 28), IVS-total and subscales significantly increased.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggested that the IVS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing physical and psychological vitality. Furthermore, the IVS could be used as a clinical indicator to predict symptoms related to low energy, such as depression and fatigue, and as an indicator of sustainable well-being.