Structural invariance of the Global Wellness Model: A national sample

Abstract

AbstractTotal wellness (combined physical and mental health) is an integral element in the professional identity of counselors. Counselors need wellness‐based models with corresponding screening tools to measure their clients’ wellness. A number of sociodemographic disparities in mental and physical wellness exist among US adults. While a number of wellness models exist (e.g., Global Wellness Model), the literature is missing a model that has been tested for invariance (equivalent meaning) across extant wellness‐based sociodemographic variables. Invariance testing is a crucial next step in this line of research, as it is not appropriate to apply a model in practice if the meaning of the model's latent trait differs between subgroups of the population. Results demonstrated that the Global Wellness Model was invariant by gender, ethnicity, help‐seeking history, income, and education among a national sample (N = 772) of US adults. Results also revealed sociodemographic differences in Global Wellness by income and help‐seeking history.