Components and Indicators of the Cyber Wellness Measurement Scale for Thai Citizens

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed daily life, creating both opportunities and challenges related to online safety, ethics, and mental well-being. This study aimed to develop and validate the Cyber Wellness Measurement Scale (CWMS) as a reliable and culturally relevant instrument for assessing the digital wellbeing of Thai citizens. The research employed a mixed-methods design consisting of three phases. In Phase 1, documentary analysis and expert focus group discussions involving 19 experts from six professional domains were conducted to define and refine the components and indicators of cyber wellness appropriate to the Thai context. In Phase 2, an initial 169-item scale was developed and evaluated by nine experts using the Index of Item-Objective Congruence, resulting in a refined 151-item version. In Phase 3, data were collected from 1,460 participants across six regions of Thailand, representing three major age groups - children and adolescents (10-15 years), working-age adults (16-59 years), and older adults (60 years and above). The findings revealed that cyber wellness comprises seven components and twenty-seven indicators, namely 1) digital use, 2) digital literacy, 3) digital communication and collaboration, 4) digital rights, 5) cybersecurity and safety, 6) cyberbullying, and 7) digital relationships. The final 103-item CWMS demonstrated strong validity and high internal reliability, confirming its effectiveness as a multidimensional measure of digital wellbeing. The CWMS can serve as a national benchmark tool for assessing digital wellness and as an evidence-based framework for policymakers and educators to promote responsible, ethical, and sustainable digital citizenship in Thailand.