Exploring the Wisdom Structure: Validation of the Spanish New Short Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS) and Its Explanatory Power on Psychological Health-Related Variables

Abstract

Introduction: Personal wisdom has demonstrated important implications for the health of individuals. The aim of the present study was to validate a Spanish version of the Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS), exploring the structure of a possible general factor, and assessing its explanatory power on psychological health-related variables.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, with a total sample of 624 Spanish participants recruited on the Internet and randomly split into two halves. The following instruments were applied: 3D-WS, Purpose in Life (PIL), Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Factorial structures were analyzed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA), and the general factor was characterized by using bifactor models. The explanatory power of the 3D-WS was established by multiple regression.Results: The original long and short versions of the 3D-WS were not replicated in the first subsample using EFA, and there was a high rate of cross-loadings. Thus, a new short 3D-WS was proposed by ordering the original items according to factorial weights. This three-correlated-factor (reflective, cognitive, and affective) proposal was tested by means of CFA in the second subsample, with adequate psychometrics and invariance, and a good fit (χ2/df = 1.98; CFI = 0.946; RMSEA = 0.056; 90% CI = 0.040-0.072). A bifactor structure, in which the reflective trait of wisdom was integrated into a general factor (G-Reflective) improved the model fit (χ2/df = 1.85; CFI = 0.959; RMSEA = 0.052; 90% CI = 0.035-0.070). The explained common variance of G-Reflective was 0.53; therefore, the new short 3D-WS should not be considered essentially unidimensional. The new short 3D-WS showed positive relationships with the PIL and PANAS-positive, and negative associations with the MSBS, PANAS-negative and DERS, contributing to explain all the referred variables. These results were consistent across subsamples.Conclusion: The new short 3D-WS appears to be a reliable instrument for measuring wisdom in the Spanish general population. The reflective facet might influence the cognitive and affective wisdom components through the G-Reflective general factor. There seems to be a high explanatory power of the 3D-WS on psychological health-related variables. This study will facilitate the development of future research and psychological knowledge regarding wisdom.

The Wisdom Acquired During Emergencies Scale – Development and Validity

“…The results confirmed our initial hypothesis, with high scores on the WADES being associated with the ability to accept and be aware of emotions, the ability to implement emotion regulation strategies, control impulses and develop goals in emotional situations. The relation between the WADES and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) of the present study is in line with those found when measuring the cognitive and affective components of the three-dimensional wisdom scale (García-Campayo et al, 2018).…”

Gender Effect on Views of Wisdom and Wisdom Levels

“…The typically measured item is “If I see people in need, I try to help them one way or another” ( Ardelt, 2003 ). Thus, the higher scores of women on this dimension indicate that in the process of interpersonal communication, women are more sensitive to the emotions of others than men and have more positive behavior and emotional reaction, and fewer indifferent attitudes and negative reactions ( García-Campayo et al, 2018 ). This gender difference was true both for individuals in early adulthood (18–29 years old; Beaumont, 2011 ) and the elderly (52–87 years old; Ardelt, 2009 ).…”

Application of a Program to Promote Personal Development and Self-Awareness in Future Physical Education Teachers of the Degree in Education and Its Relationship with Wisdom

“…Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale (3D-WS) [38]: Scale that seeks to measure 3 dimensions in relation to wisdom, based on the Ardelt scale in 2003 and validated and translated into Spanish by García-Campayo [38]. The scale is made up of three subdimensions with a total of 39 items.…”

“…Although, the measurement of wisdom through questionnaires, although it may be simplistic because it is thought that it is affected by biases such as social desirability [47], has advantages by offering a simple and fast means to approach the base empirically and that it allows to know antecedents, starting situation and consequences. It should be noted that there are different investigations that have translated the 3D-WS scale into different languages, but they are very recent studies [38,48,49].…”