Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity

Self-authenticity refers to knowing and being oneself despite societal expectations, a concept closely related to values-based therapeutic interventions. Authentic living is currently measured using three validated psychometric scales; however these have limitations including issues with length, the...

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Main Authors: T. Cartwright, L. Hulbert-Williams, G. Evans, N. Hulbert-Williams
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123003030
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author T. Cartwright
L. Hulbert-Williams
G. Evans
N. Hulbert-Williams
author_facet T. Cartwright
L. Hulbert-Williams
G. Evans
N. Hulbert-Williams
author_sort T. Cartwright
collection DOAJ
description Self-authenticity refers to knowing and being oneself despite societal expectations, a concept closely related to values-based therapeutic interventions. Authentic living is currently measured using three validated psychometric scales; however these have limitations including issues with length, theoretical instability, and lack of measurement invariance testing. The present study sought to develop a novel measure of self-authenticity to resolve these limitations, and to provide further empirical evidence as to the structure of self-authenticity. Using a large sample, split into two subsamples, the novel Self-Authenticity Measure (SAM) was developed and found to be reliable. We present evidence of convergent and concurrent validity, as well as a degree of incremental validity over one of the previously developed authenticity scales. Furthermore, construct validity and (configural) measurement invariance were demonstrated through confirmatory factor analysis. Thus, though the measure was initially developed for use with sexual-minority groups, it appears to function similarly in a heterosexual sample. Self-authenticity correlated with constructs related to psychological flexibility, suggesting that therapeutic techniques based on valued living could increase self-authenticity in individuals. The SAM affords researchers the opportunity to measure self-authenticity from internal (knowing and being oneself) and external (being oneself around others) perspectives. Further testing of measurement invariance is recommended.
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spelling doaj.art-e9e3e7e4e7184c0d866162945e19e0822023-12-28T05:19:33ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112023-01-0181100698Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticityT. Cartwright0L. Hulbert-Williams1G. Evans2N. Hulbert-Williams3Corresponding author.; The University of Chester, Parkgate Rd, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UKThe University of Chester, Parkgate Rd, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UKThe University of Chester, Parkgate Rd, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UKThe University of Chester, Parkgate Rd, Chester, CH1 4BJ, UKSelf-authenticity refers to knowing and being oneself despite societal expectations, a concept closely related to values-based therapeutic interventions. Authentic living is currently measured using three validated psychometric scales; however these have limitations including issues with length, theoretical instability, and lack of measurement invariance testing. The present study sought to develop a novel measure of self-authenticity to resolve these limitations, and to provide further empirical evidence as to the structure of self-authenticity. Using a large sample, split into two subsamples, the novel Self-Authenticity Measure (SAM) was developed and found to be reliable. We present evidence of convergent and concurrent validity, as well as a degree of incremental validity over one of the previously developed authenticity scales. Furthermore, construct validity and (configural) measurement invariance were demonstrated through confirmatory factor analysis. Thus, though the measure was initially developed for use with sexual-minority groups, it appears to function similarly in a heterosexual sample. Self-authenticity correlated with constructs related to psychological flexibility, suggesting that therapeutic techniques based on valued living could increase self-authenticity in individuals. The SAM affords researchers the opportunity to measure self-authenticity from internal (knowing and being oneself) and external (being oneself around others) perspectives. Further testing of measurement invariance is recommended.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123003030Self-AuthenticityAuthentic livingValued livingPsychological flexibility
spellingShingle T. Cartwright
L. Hulbert-Williams
G. Evans
N. Hulbert-Williams
Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Self-Authenticity
Authentic living
Valued living
Psychological flexibility
title Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity
title_full Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity
title_fullStr Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity
title_full_unstemmed Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity
title_short Measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives: A novel measure of self-authenticity
title_sort measuring authentic living from internal and external perspectives a novel measure of self authenticity
topic Self-Authenticity
Authentic living
Valued living
Psychological flexibility
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291123003030
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