Validation of three measures of positive mental health in Iranian migrant and non-migrant students

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.

2 Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Partner site Bochum/Marburg, Bochum, Germany.

3 Department of Counseling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Iran.

4 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.83319.3178

Abstract

Introduction: Positive mental health is a vital component of overall well-being. The primary objective of this study was to validate three measures of positive mental health among Iranian migrant and non-migrant students.
 
Materials and Methods: In this study conducted in Iran and Germany, the convenience sampling method was used to select Iranian migrant and non-migrant students. Participants completed an online survey that included three measures of positive mental health—Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Social Support Questionnaire (F-SozU K-14), Resilience Scale (RS-11), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and reliability analysis were conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the measures within this population.
 
Results: In this study, 584 Iranian non-migrant students and 186 Iranian migrant students participated. The findings showed that the positive mental health constructs were negatively correlated with the DASS-21 and positively correlated with one another. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the adequacy of the model, fulfilling all necessary assumptions. Measurement invariance analyses for the SWLS, F-SozU K-14, and RS-11 indicated good model fit and consistency across both migrant and non-migrant student groups.
 
Conclusion: The findings of this study support the validity of these three measures. The researchers, educators, and policymakers assess key aspects of positive mental health among Iranian migrant and non-migrant students using these valid tools.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 28, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 65-73

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