Dispositional flow scale 2: validity and reliability of the Italian version and discussion of the applications to different samples

The purpose of this paper was to present the validation process of the Italian Version of the Dispositional Flow Scale-2 (DFS-2; Jackson & Eklund, 2002). The scales developed by the authors convey Csikszentmihaly’s idea of flow as a componential construct that can be measured as a state or as a trait. Namely DFS-2 is designed to assess flow both as a general trait (tendency to experience flow in a variety of activities) and a domain-specific trait (tendency to experience it in particular tasks). Following the guidelines for test adaptation, the scale was translated with the method of back translation; particular efforts were devoted to avoid cultural and context biases. The 36 item thus obtained were used in a first pretest (n = 100), following which specific terms included in some items were modified. Subsequently we conducted a second pretest (n = 100) that allowed us to identify the 36 final items. The scale was administered to 843 individuals (60.69% females), between 15 and 74 years. The sample was balanced between workers and students. The main activities described by the subjects led to divide the sample into three categories: students, workers, and sports practitioners (professionals and semi-professionals). The confirmatory factor analysis made using the MLM, showed acceptable fit indices. Reliability and validity were verified and structural invariance was verified on 6 areas described by participants as source of flow (sports, socio-relational, experiential, intellectual/study, work, art and creative activities). Correlation analysis showed significant high values between the nine dimensions considered as components of Flow. The findings of this study provided strong support for the validity and reliability of the DFS-2 in assessing flow experiences for Italian adults, young adults and adolescents. The Italian version of the scale proved suitable for the evaluation of subjective tendency to experiencing flow as a trait characteristic not only in sports but also, and with equal success, in other areas such as study and work. The results are discussed with reference to procedural and cultural issues. The scale revealed to be a useful tool for evaluating well-being of individuals in several research fields of psychology, that can be conveniently included in a battery of tests due to its conciseness. It can certainly be a fruitful resource in cross-cultural researches, and its validity supports existing data in the literature about the invariance of the construct of flow across languages and cultures.