Assessing social-psychological functioning between Malaysian and Indonesian undergraduates: a Rasch model analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Flourishing Scale (FS) by employing samples of Malaysian and Indonesian undergraduates. In addition, the present study seeks to identify aspects of the social-psychological functioning that were perceived differently by both samples.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study employs the descriptive design to provide descriptions about psychometric properties of the FS. In total, 351 first-year undergraduates were employed as samples of the study. The authors employed the Rasch measurement model framework using the quantitative approach to analyze the data.

Findings

Generally, the results showed that the FS demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties for both samples. However, the Malaysian and Indonesian samples differ significantly in half of the social-psychological functioning aspects.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of the study was the relatively small sample size students in one higher education institution in each country. In addition, in both countries, the undergraduates demonstrated obligatory roles toward their lecturers. Therefore, their response might not be truthful and only respond as requested.

Originality/value

Whilst social psychological functioning has been identified as important aspects of well-being, the construct has yet to be studied in the eastern culture in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Citation

Khairani, A.Z., Ahmad, N.S. and Sutatminingsih, R. (2022), "Assessing social-psychological functioning between Malaysian and Indonesian undergraduates: a Rasch model analysis", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 714-727. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-01-2021-0008