Investigating the psychometric properties of the Values Wheel with a clinical cohort: A preliminary validation study

Given the pivotal function of values within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), it is imperative to ensure the psychometric robustness of values-assessment instruments. Previous research has demonstrated the preliminary psychometric properties (i.e., criterion-related and convergent validity, as well as the test-retest reliability) of a novel, idiographic values-measure: the Values Wheel (VW). This study reports on the psychometric properties of the VW with a clinical cohort. Fifty-one adult clients who were engaged with the mental health services attended an assessment session comprising a battery of questionnaires measuring mental health, well-being, life satisfaction, ACT processes, as well as a values card sort task and the VW. The VW demonstrated partial evidence for its construct validity, such that scores on the VW were positively related to outcomes on measures of well-being and life satisfaction, though no significant negative correlations were found for anxiety, stress or depression. Adequate evidence for the convergent validity of the VW was found, with significant positive correlations being observed between scores on the VW and alternative values-measures. The discriminant validity of the VW was partially supported, with scores demonstrating no significant correlations with two unrelated constructs. The VW additionally demonstrated evidence of incremental validity, such that it accounted for unique proportions of variance in well-being, mental health and life satisfaction. Outcomes provide preliminary support for the psychometric properties of the VW as a measure of values-congruent behavior with a clinical population. Further research is required to ensure the reliability and validity of the VW with larger and more diverse samples.