Development and Validation of the Feeling Loved Scale (FLS): Felt Love from a Specific Close Other and Its Relevance for Well-Being

IF 3.7 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Happiness Studies Pub Date : 2026-05-05 DOI:10.1007/s10902-026-01052-0

Mengya Xia

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Abstract

Feeling loved is critical for well-being, yet existing measures of love have primarily focused on love at the relationship level (particularly within romantic relationships) or on loving others in different types of love, rather than on the recipient’s subjective feeling of being loved by a specific close other beyond romantic relationship contexts. This study developed a feeling loved scale (FLS) based on a recently developed three-component framework of feeling loved across various relationships, including positive responsiveness (to needs), authentic connection, and sense of stability as three key components. In Study 1 (a college sample n = 314), exploratory factor analysis identified a correlated three-factor structure consistent with the theoretical framework and finalized the items. Study 2 (a racially diverse community sample n = 444) used confirmatory factor analysis to cross-validate the 12-item FLS in another representative sample. Study 3 established its psychometric validity through correlations and regressions in both samples. Results demonstrated great convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity, along with strong internal and test-retest reliability, suggesting FLS as a promising tool for assessing feeling loved by a specific close other and its role in well-being.

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感觉被爱量表（FLS）的开发和验证：来自特定亲密他人的感觉爱及其与幸福感的相关性

感觉被爱对幸福至关重要，然而现有的爱的测量主要集中在关系层面的爱（特别是在浪漫关系中）或在不同类型的爱中爱别人，而不是接受者被一个特定的亲密的人爱的主观感觉。本研究基于最近发展的在各种关系中感受到爱的三成分框架，开发了一个被爱的感觉量表（FLS），包括积极的回应（需求），真实的联系和稳定感作为三个关键组成部分。在研究1（一个高校样本n = 314）中，探索性因子分析发现了一个符合理论框架的相关三因素结构，并最终确定了项目。研究2（一个种族多样化的社区样本n = 444）使用验证性因子分析在另一个代表性样本中交叉验证了12项FLS。研究3通过对两个样本的相关和回归来确定其心理测量效度。结果表明，FLS具有良好的收敛效度、判别效度和标准效度，以及较强的内部信度和重测信度，表明FLS是一种很有前景的工具，可用于评估被特定亲密他人所爱的感觉及其在幸福感中的作用。

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来源期刊

Journal of Happiness Studies Multiple-

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

6.50%

发文量

110

期刊介绍： The international peer-reviewed Journal of Happiness Studies is devoted to theoretical and applied advancements in all areas of well-being research. It covers topics referring to both the hedonic and eudaimonic perspectives characterizing well-being studies. The former includes the investigation of cognitive dimensions such as satisfaction with life, and positive affect and emotions. The latter includes the study of constructs and processes related to optimal psychological functioning, such as meaning and purpose in life, character strengths, personal growth, resilience, optimism, hope, and self-determination. In addition to contributions on appraisal of life-as-a-whole, the journal accepts papers investigating these topics in relation to specific domains, such as family, education, physical and mental health, and work. The journal welcomes high-quality theoretical and empirical submissions in the fields of economics, psychology and sociology, as well as contributions from researchers in the domains of education, medicine, philosophy and other related fields. The Journal of Happiness Studies provides a forum for three main areas in happiness research: 1) theoretical conceptualizations of well-being, happiness and the good life; 2) empirical investigation of well-being and happiness in different populations, contexts and cultures; 3) methodological advancements and development of new assessment instruments. The journal addresses the conceptualization, operationalization and measurement of happiness and well-being dimensions, as well as the individual, socio-economic and cultural factors that may interact with them as determinants or outcomes. Central Questions include, but are not limited to: Conceptualization: What meanings are denoted by terms like happiness and well-being? How do these fit in with broader conceptions of the good life? Operationalization and Measurement: Which methods can be used to assess how people feel about life? How to operationalize a new construct or an understudied dimension in the well-being domain? What are the best measures for investigating specific well-being related constructs and dimensions? Prevalence and causality Do individuals belonging to different populations and cultures vary in their well-being ratings? How does individual well-being relate to social and economic phenomena (characteristics, circumstances, behavior, events, and policies)? What are the personal, social and economic determinants and causes of individual well-being dimensions? Evaluation: What are the consequences of well-being for individual development and socio-economic progress? Are individual happiness and well-being worthwhile goals for governments and policy makers? Does well-being represent a useful parameter to orient planning in physical and mental healthcare, and in public health? Interdisciplinary studies: How has the study of happiness developed within and across disciplines? Can we link philosophical thought and empirical research? What are the biological correlates of well-being dimensions?