Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric evaluation of the Swedish Work-Life Balance Scale

Abstract Background Work-life balance concerns individuals’ subjective experience of how well work and non-work activities fit together. Work-life balance has been associated with, for instance, psychological health and other occupational outcomes. The four-item Work-Life Balance Scale provides a brief measure of this construct, but no culturally adapted and psychometrically evaluated Swedish version has previously been available. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally validate the scale for use in Sweden and to conduct a psychometric evaluation. Methods The scale was translated and cross-culturally adapted in accordance with standard guidelines. The process included preparation, two independent forward translations, reconciliation, two independent back translations, equivalence review, cognitive debriefing with eight Swedish-speaking participants, proofreading, and finalization. Psychometric evaluation was conducted using cross-sectional survey data from 215 students across both the police and the prison and probation service education. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and corrected item-rest correlations. The proposed one-factor structure was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was assessed in relation to occupational balance. Moreover, construct validity through hypothesized associations was examined with depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results Complete Work-Life Balance Scale data were available for 215 participants. The mean scale score was 3.85 (SD = 0.85) out of 5. Internal consistency was found to be good according to both Cronbach’s and McDonald’s ω. However, the reverse-worded item showed a lower corrected item-rest correlation than the other three. The one-factor model demonstrated mixed but generally acceptable fit, as confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis. Again, the reverse-worded item showed the lowest loading. Work-life balance correlated positively with occupational balance, indicating convergent validity, while being negatively associated with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms, as hypothesized. Conclusions The Swedish Work-Life Balance Scale demonstrated promising initial psychometric properties, including good internal consistency and convergent validity. Additional studies should evaluate test-retest reliability, measurement invariance, responsiveness, and predictive validity in broader Swedish working populations.