Validation of the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index among Turkish nursing and midwifery students

Aim: This study aimed to validate the Turkish version of the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) among nursing and midwifery students. Methods: Three hundred twenty-five students completed questionnaires, including the WHO-5, Psychological Well-Being Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for well-being. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the single-factor structure of the WHO-5. Criterion validity was established by demonstrating a negative correlation between the WHO-5 scores and BDI scores, as well as a positive correlation with a psychological well-being scale. Internal consistency was strong, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega reliability coefficients exceeding 0.70. Additionally, the study proposed a cutoff value for the WHO-5 to screen for well-being in Turkish nursing and midwifery students, demonstrating acceptable sensitivity (77%) and specificity (66%).Conclusion: The Turkish version of the WHO-5 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing well-being and screening for depression among nursing and midwifery students. Integrating this scale into educational and healthcare settings can support students' mental health and well-being.