Factorial invariance of a campus climate measure across race, gender, and student classification.

Invariance analyses using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to test a model of campus climate perceptions for its equivalence in a combined sample of 2,634 undergraduate and graduate university students across race, gender, and student status. Results suggested that a multidimensional model of campus climate comprised of psychological and behavioral climate dimensions appears to be supported for both undergraduate and graduate students across race/ethnicity and gender. Nonequivalence of factor loadings seen in all three invariance comparisons indicated that relationships between items and the underlying factors differed in magnitude on some climate dimensions between males and females, White and ethnic minority students, and graduate versus undergraduate students. Implications for future climate measurement and higher education policy and practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure and invariance across gender of the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment protective factor scale.

Early childhood social–emotional assessment has traditionally focused on risk factors or psychopathology, and has less frequently examined protective factors that may serve to promote positive developmental outcomes for children. To advance conceptual models that include protective factors as key explanatory constructs, there is a need for quantitative measures of protective factors that are psychometrically sound and function similarly across different subgroups, including gender. This study examined the factor structure and factorial invariance across gender of the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA), one of the few measures to focus on protective behaviors. A total of 1,344 parents completed the DECA for a group of developmentally and economically at-risk children ages 2 to 5 years. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis, the first to be conducted on the DECA, revealed that the factor structure proposed by the authors of the DECA was adequate with some modifications. Multigroup comparisons by gender supported the invariance of the factor pattern coefficients and 26 of the 27 item intercepts, indicating that the items were functioning similarly across boys and girls. Suggestions for improving problematic item pairs and content are provided. This study can be viewed as part of the ongoing validation of the DECA and an important contribution to the strength-based assessment literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and Validation of a Brief Version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale With a Nonparametric Item Analysis Model.

The main purpose of the current research was to develop an abbreviated form of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) with nonparametric item response theory. The authors conducted 5 studies, with a total participation of 8,256 married or cohabiting individuals. Results showed that the item characteristic curves behaved in a monotonically increasing function for all items of the brief 4-item version of the DAS (DAS-4). The DAS-4 proved to be informative at all levels of couple satisfaction. Compared with the 32-item version of the DAS (DAS-32), it was as effective in predicting couple dissolution and was significantly less contaminated by socially desirable responding. In addition, structural equation modeling demonstrated that the underlying latent construct measured by the DAS-4 was very stable over a 2-year period. This brief version has the advantage of being less time consuming and constitutes a promising alternative to the original DAS-32 for clinicians and researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure of the CES-D and measurement invariance across gender for low-income Puerto Ricans in a probability sample.

Objective: The authors of this study aimed to evaluate 2-factor structures for the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) reported in the literature to determine which one proves to be a better fit with the data on low-income Puerto Ricans living on the island. Method: The sample consisted of 3,504 civilian noninstitutionalized Puerto Ricans, ranging in age from 18 to 64 who were living in low-income areas of Puerto Rico. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was implemented, and model fit was assessed with the Tucker–Lewis Index (TLI), the comparative fit index (CFI), and the root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA). Results: The CFA results obtained for the Radloff (1977) and Guarnaccia, Angel, and Worobey (1989) models show that neither model obtained adequate fit indexes. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the 2-factor structure not only obtained better fit indexes (TLI = .948, CFI = .955, RMSEA = .048) but also reflected a better conceptual organization of the factors (basically divided into 2 components: Negative Affect and Positive Affect). When we assessed the model fit by gender, the model consistently fit the data for the female subsample but not for the male one. Conclusions: Results confirm the need to address the issues related to measurement equivalence for specific cultural and language gaps in assessment of depressive symptoms. Lack of factor invariance across gender also raises the question of the appropriateness of this measure for the male subsample and the need for further research in the manifestation of depression in this group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dyadic Adjustment in Chronic Illness: Does Relationship Talk Matter?

Relationship talk involves talking about the nature and state of one's relationship. To determine the effectiveness of talking about the relationship when one spouse has a chronic illness, the study involved completion of a confidential questionnaire by 182 married couples. Ninety of these were couples in which both partners were healthy, and 92 were couples in which one spouse had a chronic illness. Results of multilevel modeling analyses showed that the association between relationship talk and dyadic adjustment was stronger for women than for men and for couples with an ill spouse than for couples where both spouses were healthy. These findings highlight the importance of taking a relationship perspective and suggest that relationship talk is a potentially useful tool couples can use in their repertoire of relationship-enhancing behaviors during chronic illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measurement invariance of the Gifted Rating Scales—School Form across five cultural groups.

This study examined measurement invariance of the Gifted Rating Scales—School Form (GRS–S) across the United States, Puerto Rico, China, South Korea, and Turkey, using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. A total of 1,817 students were rated by 287 teachers using either translated versions of GRS–S or the original English GRS–S. Results indicate a similar factor structure for the GRS–S across the five locations; six factors with each of the 72 items equivalently loaded to the same latent variable across groups. The metric invariance test and the factor variance and covariance invariance tests reveal that the patterns of factor loadings and the factor variances and covariances are invariant across the five groups. Moreover, the scalar invariance test indicates that item means are equivalent across the groups. These results suggest that the GRS–S has intercultural utility and can be similarly interpreted. Implications and limitations of the present research for gifted identification are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale.

As part of the Women's Health Initiative Study, the 5-item Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale (WHIIRS) was developed. This article summarizes the development of the scale through the use of responses from 66,269 postmenopausal women (mean age=62.07 years, SD=7.41 years). All women completed a 10-item questionnaire concerning sleep. A novel resampling technique was introduced as part of the data analysis. Principal-axes factor analysis without iteration and rotation to a varimax solution was conducted for 120,000 random samples of 1,000 women each. Use of this strategy led to the development of a scale with a highly stable factor structure. Structural equation modeling revealed no major differences in factor structure across age and race-ethnic groups. WHIIRS norms for race-ethnicity and age subgroups are detailed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measurement and structural invariance of parent ratings of ADHD and ODD symptoms across gender for American and Malaysian children.

The purpose of this study was to examine the measurement (configural, metric, scalar, and residual) and structural (factor variance, factor covariance, and factor means) invariance of parent ratings of the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-inattention (ADHD-IN), ADHD-hyperactivity/impulsivity (ADHD-HI), and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) across boys and girls. In an American pediatric sample (N = 1,015) and a Malaysian elementary school-age sample (N = 928), there was strong support for configural, metric, scalar, residual, factor variance, and covariance invariance across gender within each sample. Both American and Malaysian boys had significantly higher scores on the ADHD-IN and ADHD-HI factor means than did girls, whereas only in the American sample did boys score significantly higher on the ODD factor than did girls. The implications of the results for the study of gender, ethnic, and cultural differences associated with ADHD and ODD are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Husbands' and Wives' Marital Adjustment, Verbal Aggression, and Physical Aggression as Longitudinal Predictors of Physical Aggression in Early Marriage.

Marital adjustment, verbal aggression, and physical aggression have long been associated in the marital literature, but the nature of their associations remains unclear. In this study, the authors examined these 3 constructs as risk factors for physical aggression during the first 2 years of marriage in 634 couples recruited as they applied for marriage licenses. Couples completed assessments at the time of marriage and at their 1st and 2nd anniversaries. Results of path analyses suggest that prior verbal aggression and physical aggression by both partners are important longitudinal predictors of physical aggression but do not support the role of marital adjustment as a unique predictor of subsequent physical aggression. Contrary to prior research, results also failed to support physical aggression as a unique predictor of marital adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factorial structure and prognostic significance of premorbid adjustment in schizophrenia.

A sample of 291 resident male schizophrenic patients were rated on the Becker revision of the Elgin Prognostic Scale and on the Phillips Prognostic Rating Scale. 28 items drawn from both scales were factor analyzed. The factors were rotated to both varimax orthogonal solution and to biquartimin oblique solution. The 2 methods yielded a high degree of factorial similarity. 7 factors were: I, Social Withdrawal, Few Interests; II, Inadequate Heterosexual Relationships; III, Socially Undesirable Ward Behavior; IV, Rigid, Flat Affect. and Apathy; V, Insidious Onset; VI, Stubborn and Egocentric; and VII, Chronic Poor Physical Health. Correlations with a measure of chronicity (for 3 social class groupings) indicated that Factors I, II, III, and V have important prognostic power. These findings emphasize the need for a multivariate research approach to premorbid adjustment and the inclusion of the new and prognostically significant Factor III (Socially Undesirable Ward Behavior). (27 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure of posttraumatic stress disorder as measured by the Impact of Event Scale–Revised: Stability across cultures and time.

This study examined the structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as measured by the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R; Weiss & Marmar, 1997), tested factorial invariance for samples of 235 Israeli emergency room patients and 306 U.S. undergraduate students, and then evaluated factorial invariance over multiple occasions within the emergency room sample. A four-factor structure representing intrusion, avoidance-numbing, hyperarousal, and sleep emerged as the preferred model. Configural invariance over groups was supported for this model. Likewise, configural invariance over occasions was demonstrated, but metric invariance was not fully supported, with variation in the loadings on the intrusion factor over time seemingly the source of misfit. Interpretations and conclusions center on sleep as a separate factor underlying the structure of the IES-R, the distinction between avoidance and numbing as a function of how the IES-R (vs. the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) operationalizes the numbing feature of PTSD and possible shifts in the meaning of intrusion over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A multicultural assessment of adolescent connectedness: Testing measurement invariance across gender and ethnicity.

Counselors, psychologists, and evaluators of intervention programs for youth increasingly view the promotion of connectedness as an important intervention outcome. When evaluating these programs, researchers frequently test whether the treatment effects differ across gender and ethnic or racial groups. Doing so necessitates the availability of culturally and gender-invariant measures. We used the Hemingway: Measure of Adolescent Connectedness to estimate the factor structure invariance and equality of means across gender and 3 racial/ethnic groups with a large sample of middle school adolescents. From a practical perspective, the 10-scale model suggested factor structure invariance across gender and racial or ethnic (i.e., African American, Caucasian, and Latina/o) groups of adolescents. However, tests for partial invariance revealed some group difference on the factor loadings and intercepts between gender and ethnic/racial groups. When testing for mean equivalence, girls reported higher connectedness to friends, siblings, school, peers, teachers, and reading but lower connectedness to their neighborhoods. Caucasians reported higher connectedness to their neighborhoods and friends but lower connectedness to siblings than African Americans and Latinos. African Americans reported the highest connectedness to self (present and future) but lowest connectedness to teachers. Latinos reported the lowest connectedness to reading, self-in-the-present, and self-in-the-future. Overall, this study reveals racial/ethnic and gender mean differences on several connectedness subscales and suggests the Hemingway subscales are, from a practical perspective, invariant across gender and ethnicity and therefore appropriate for most assessment and evaluation purposes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factorial invariance across sex of the Form V of the Sensation-Seeking Scale.

The factorial properties across sex of the Sensation-Seeking Scale—Form V were examined in a sample of 335 female and 363 male Australian Ss aged 17–60 yrs. A 4-factor solution was applied to the data of both sex groups to test the correspondence with M. Zuckerman's (1977) postulated 4 distinct dimensions of sensation seeking. The results generally support the existence of the 4 dimensions; however, the percentage of total variance accounted for was only 33% for females and 31% for males. No additional factor accounted for more than 4% of total variance. The factor structures of the male and female samples were very similar. Attention is drawn to items that do not load significantly on the expected factor, multifactorial items, and items with loadings that suggest sex differences in the connotations of item content. (7 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Can questionnaire reports correctly classify relationship distress and partner physical abuse?

Relationship adjustment (e.g., Dyadic Adjustment Scale; DAS) and physical aggression (e.g., Conflict Tactics Scale) measures are used both as screening tools and as the sole criterion for classification. This study created face valid diagnostic interviews for relationship distress and physical abuse, through which one could compare preliminarily the classification properties of questionnaire reports. The DAS (and a global measure of relationship satisfaction) had modest agreement with a structured diagnostic interview; both questionnaires tended to overdiagnose distress compared with the interview. Results for partner abuse reiterated the need to go beyond occurrence of aggression as the sole diagnostic criterion, because men's aggression was more likely than women's to rise to the level of "abuse" when diagnostic criteria (injury or substantial fear) were applied. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluating the Impact of Partial Factorial Invariance on Selection in Two Populations.

Studies of factorial invariance examine whether a common factor model holds across multiple populations with identical parameter values. Partial factorial invariance exists when some, but not all, parameters are invariant. The literature on factorial invariance is unclear about what should be done if partial invariance is found. One approach to this problem evaluates the impact of partial invariance on accuracy of selection on the basis of a composite of the measures whose factor structure is being studied. Assuming a single-factor model holds, accuracy of selection using the composite is evaluated under varying degrees of partial invariance. A variety of examples are presented with discussion of extensions and limitations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing the forms and functions of aggression using self-report: Factor structure and invariance of the Peer Conflict Scale in youths.

This study examined the structure of a self-report measure of the forms and functions of aggression in 855 adolescents (582 boys, 266 girls) aged 12 to 19 years recruited from high school, detained, and residential settings. The Peer Conflict Scale (PCS) is a 40-item measure that was developed to improve upon existing measures and provide an efficient, reliable, and valid assessment of four dimensions of aggression (i.e., reactive overt, reactive relational, proactive overt, and proactive relational) in youths. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that a 4-factor model represented a satisfactory solution for the data. The factor structure fit well for both boys and girls and across high school, detained, and residential samples. Internal consistency estimates were good for the 4 factors, and they showed expected associations with externalizing variables (i.e., arrest history, callous-unemotional traits, and delinquency). Reactive and proactive subtypes showed unique associations consistent with previous literature. Implications for the use of the PCS to assess aggression and inform intervention decisions in diverse samples of youths are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alternative Factor Models and Factorial Invariance of the GHQ-12: A Large Sample Analysis Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

This study tested alternative factor models of the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), based on previous research findings, with a large sample using confirmatory factor analysis. An alternative models framework was used to test 6 factor analytic models. A 3-factor model was the best explanation of the sample data. The 3 factors were labeled Anxiety-Depression, Social Dysfunction, and Loss of Confidence. The model was found to be factorially invariant between men and women. The utility of the 3 subscales, as opposed to the total GHQ-12 score, is questioned as they appear to provide little information beyond that of a general factor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in relationship satisfaction across the transition to parenthood: A meta-analysis.

The U.S. government has recently spent several hundred million dollars to promote healthy relationships in new parents. The influx of money implies that relationships of new parents are at elevated risk for declining satisfaction and dissolution. This meta-analysis aggregates data from 37 studies that track couples from pregnancy to after the birth of the first child and 4 studies that track childless newlywed couples over time and compare couples who do and do not become parents. Results indicate significant, small declines in relationship satisfaction for both men and women from pregnancy to 11 months postbirth; 5 studies that followed couples for 12–14 months found moderate-sized declines. Seven variables moderated the decrease in relationship satisfaction from pregnancy to early parenthood. However, the decrease in satisfaction may not indicate anything unique about the transition to parenthood; the 4 studies following newlyweds indicated that those who do not become parents experience a decrease in relationship satisfaction similar to that of parents across a comparable span of time. Implications for prevention and future directions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Age-related invariance of abilities measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III.

Examination of measurement invariance tests the assumption that the model underlying a set of test scores is directly comparable across groups. The observation of measurement invariance provides fundamental evidence for the inference that scores on a test afford equivalent measurement of the same psychological traits among diverse groups. Groups may be derived from different psychosocial backgrounds or different clinical presentations. In the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III (WAIS-III)/Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III) Technical Manual (Psychological Corporation, 2002), there appears to be a breakdown in factor structure among the standardization cases in older adults. In this study, the authors evaluated the invariance of the measurement model of the WAIS-III across 5 age bands. All components of the measurement model were examined. Overall, the evidence pointed to invariance across age of a modified 4-factor model that included cross-loadings for the Similarities and Arithmetic subtests. These results support the utility of the WAIS-III as a measure of stable intelligence traits across a wide age range. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factorial validity and consistency of the MBI-GS across occupational groups in Norway.

The present study tested the factorial validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) among 694 participants from 4 different occupational groups. Confirmatory factor analyses of the total sample, as well as multigroup analyses and analyses of each of the 4 occupational groups separately, indicated that the original 3-factor model of the MBI-GS provided a good fit to the data. Internal consistencies of the subscales of the MBI-GS were acceptable, and test-retest reliability indicated relative stability of scores over a 6-month interval. These results indicate that the proposed 3-factor structure of the MBI-GS, based on 16 items, can be replicated in the total sample as well as across different occupational groups in Norway. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)