Development and Psychometric Validation of the Psycho-Social Problems of Unmarried Females (PUF) Scale in a Collectivistic South Asian Context

Abstract

The present study aimed to construct and validate a culturally relevant scale to assess psycho-social problems experienced by unmarried females. Recognizing the increasing socio-cultural pressures and stigmatization associated with delayed or non-marriage in many collectivistic societies, the study sought to develop a psychometrically sound instrument that captures the emotional, social, and familial challenges confronted by this population. The scale was developed through a multi-stage process that included an extensive literature review, qualitative interviews, and expert evaluations for content adequacy. An initial pool of items was generated and subsequently refined based on expert ratings. The revised scale was administered to a sample of unmarried women (N = 160) aged 30 to 45, representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Exploratory factor analysis identified a clear factor structure reflecting key domains of psycho-social difficulties, including emotional rejection, cultural rejection and negative thinking. The final version of the scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .94) and satisfactory construct validity through correlations with established measures of psychological well-being and social support. Findings highlight the scale’s utility as a reliable and valid tool for assessing psycho-social problems in unmarried women and underscore its applicability in clinical, counseling, and research settings. The scale offers a culturally informed approach to understanding the unique challenges faced by unmarried women and provides a foundation for future interventions and policy initiatives