Assessing Measurement Consistency: A Study of the BPFSC Invariance Across Age and Sex in Romanian Adolescents

The Borderline Personality Feature Scale for Children (BPFSC) is a widely used instrument and currently the only dimensional measure to investigate Borderline Personality features in children and adolescents. The present study aimed to investigate the factor structure and measurement invariance across age and sex in a community sample of 634 adolescents (mean age = 16.72, standard deviation = 1.31). To test for measurement invariance, we conducted multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA). Analysis showed residual invariance across age and sex. Based on the results, we conclude that BPFSC is a valid and reliable instrument to assess Borderline Personality features in adolescents. Implications for evidence-based assessment of Borderline Personality features in adolescence are discussed.

Exploring the psychometric qualities of prenatal attachment inventory in France

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to explore the structure of the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) on a French sample of pregnant women.

METHODS

Three hundred and nine pregnant women were recruited in gynecology-obstetrics departments and on social networks. To be included, women had to be pregnant, aged between 18 and 45 years old, and not have somatic complications of pregnancy. The women completed a questionnaire including questions on sociodemographic information, and the PAI. The structure of PAI was explored with an exploratory structural equation model (ESEM).

RESULTS

Three factorial solutions were explored: two-, three- and four-factor. The 2-factor solution was excluded due to its CFI, TLI and RMSEA indexes, which were lower than the reference values. The choice between the 3- and 4-factor solutions was made according to the clinical meaning of the items included in the factors. The 3-factor solution was retained with the factors: "current and future representations of the baby", "maternal-fetal relationship", and "proprioceptive feeling". The scale had good internal consistency.

CONCLUSIONS

The PAI is the first standardized multidimensional assessment tool for maternal-fetal attachment in the French language. In view of the results obtained, this tool can be disseminated and used by professionals in perinatal care.

Sparse and Simple Structure Estimation via Prenet Penalization

We propose a prenet (product-based elastic net), a novel penalization method for factor analysis models. The penalty is based on the product of a pair of elements in each row of the loading matrix. The prenet not only shrinks some of the factor loadings toward exactly zero but also enhances the simplicity of the loading matrix, which plays an important role in the interpretation of the common factors. In particular, with a large amount of prenet penalization, the estimated loading matrix possesses a perfect simple structure, which is known as a desirable structure in terms of the simplicity of the loading matrix. Furthermore, the perfect simple structure estimation via the proposed penalization turns out to be a generalization of the k-means clustering of variables. On the other hand, a mild amount of the penalization approximates a loading matrix estimated by the quartimin rotation, one of the most commonly used oblique rotation techniques. Simulation studies compare the performance of our proposed penalization with that of existing methods under a variety of settings. The usefulness of the perfect simple structure estimation via our proposed procedure is presented through various real data applications.

Substance Use and Relationship Functioning Among Young Male Couples

Research shows that, for different sex couples, individual levels of substance use are deleterious for relationship quality (e.g., satisfaction, intimate partner aggression), whereas dyadic concordance is usually protective. However, there has been no research on these effects among male couples, even though they show increased risk for substance use and certain indices of relationship distress (e.g., intimate partner aggression) compared to different sex couples. Male partners also display distinct similarity patterns and norms surrounding substance use, suggesting that there might be unique effects of substance use on relationship quality among this population. We conducted actor-partner interdependence models of substance use on relationship quality (intimate partner aggression, satisfaction) among a large sample of male dyads (N = 934 individuals, N = 467 dyads). Results suggested that there are novel actor, partner, and similarity effects that imply unique pathways to relationship well-being for male couples. These results are discussed in light of future clinical and empirical efforts. [NCT03186534 - 6/12/2017; NCT03284541 - 6/23/2017].

Toward an Index of Adaptive Personality Regulation

The idea that matching personality expression with situational demands is adaptive is implicit in many accounts of personality. Numerous constructs and measures have been posited to address this or similar phenomena. Few have proven adequate. In response, we proposed and tested a novel measurement approach (the APR index) assessing real-time behavior to rate participants' success in matching personality expression with situational demands, which we denote adaptive personality regulation. An experimental study (N = 88) and an observational study of comedians (N = 203) provided tests of whether the APR index constituted a useful metric of adaptive personality regulation. In both studies, the APR index showed robust psychometric properties; was statistically unique from mean-level personality, self-monitoring, and the general factor of personality expression; and provided incremental concurrent prediction of task/job performance. The results suggest that the APR index provides a useful metric for studying the phenomenon of successfully matching personality expression to situational demands.

Rotation to Sparse Loadings Using [Formula: see text] Losses and Related Inference Problems

Researchers have widely used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to learn the latent structure underlying multivariate data. Rotation and regularised estimation are two classes of methods in EFA that they often use to find interpretable loading matrices. In this paper, we propose a new family of oblique rotations based on component-wise [Formula: see text] loss functions [Formula: see text] that is closely related to an [Formula: see text] regularised estimator. We develop model selection and post-selection inference procedures based on the proposed rotation method. When the true loading matrix is sparse, the proposed method tends to outperform traditional rotation and regularised estimation methods in terms of statistical accuracy and computational cost. Since the proposed loss functions are nonsmooth, we develop an iteratively reweighted gradient projection algorithm for solving the optimisation problem. We also develop theoretical results that establish the statistical consistency of the estimation, model selection, and post-selection inference. We evaluate the proposed method and compare it with regularised estimation and traditional rotation methods via simulation studies. We further illustrate it using an application to the Big Five personality assessment.

From the BFI-44 to BFI-20: Psychometric Properties of the Short Form of the Big Five Inventory

The Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) has been a useful tool for researchers for over three decades. However, the contemporary way of life has created the need for abbreviated versions of psychological instruments. We derived the number of items from the BFI-44 questionnaire in order to create a short form of the questionnaire (BFI-20). In the first study (N = 1350, 82.4% females, aged 18-60), using a range of criteria, we identified 20 items (four for each of the Big Five traits) that most optimally represent each dimension. The five-factor structure was mostly replicated in the second (N = 215, 65.1% females, aged 18-65) and third study (N = 263, 83.7% females, aged 18-42). The BFI-20 demonstrated satisfactory reliability, representativeness, homogeneity, and part-whole convergence. Despite mild attenuation, most BFI-20 correlations with schizotypy, satisfaction with life, and positive orientation remained in the same range compared to the BFI-44. The Agreeableness domain was shown to be the most challenging for capturing with four items. We discuss the advantages of our BFI-20 compared to the other two 20-item versions. In sum, we can recommend the use of this BFI-20 version as a time-efficient, satisfactory reliable, and representative questionnaire.

Psychometric validation of the French version of the PedsQLTM4.0 generic health-related quality of life questionnaire for 2-4-year-old children

The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 (PedsQL^TM4.0) is an internationally recognized, generic, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire, but its proxy 2-4-year-old version has not been validated in France. This study proposes a psychometric validation of this tool for French children aged 2 to 4 years and 11 months. A total of 220 parents of typically developing children participated. Acceptability was explored. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's alpha. Factor structure was tested using an exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Risk of bias was assessed regarding gender and age effect on HRQoL using Student's t test. Except for school functioning, compliance was good (< 2.9%). No floor effects were observed, but ceiling effects were found for all scores. The total score had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .82). The Cronbach's α of each subscale was between .53 and .71. Factor analysis rejected the original 4-factor structure and revealed an alternative 2-factor structure. The total score and emotional scale score did not appear to be sensitive to gender or child age.  Conclusions: The PedsQL^TM4.0 generic HRQoL questionnaire presents good psychometric properties, regarding acceptability and reliability. For use among French children aged 2 to 4 years and 11 months, we recommend retaining the total score and the emotional scale score.

A measurement invariance analysis of selected Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) items among bystanders and first responders

The Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) is widely used as an adjunct to opioid education and naloxone distribution (OEND) for assessing pre- and post-training knowledge. However, the extent to which the OOKS performs comparably for bystander and first responder groups has not been well determined. We used exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) to assess the measurement invariance of an OOKS item subset when used as an OEND training pre-test. We used secondary analysis of pre-test data collected from 446 first responders and 1,349 bystanders (N = 1,795) attending OEND trainings conducted by two county public health departments. Twenty-four items were selected by practitioner/trainer consensus from the original 45-item OOKS instrument with an additional 2 removed owing to low response variation. We used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by ESEM to identify a factor structure, which we assessed for configural, metric, and scalar measurement invariance by participant group using the 22 dichotomous items (correct/incorrect) as factor indicators. EFA identified a 3-factor model consisting of items assessing: basic overdose risk information, signs of an overdose, and rescue procedures/advanced overdose risk information. Model fit by ESEM estimation versus confirmatory factor analysis showed the ESEM model afforded a better fit. Measurement invariance analyses indicated the 3-factor model fit the data across all levels of invariance per standard fit statistic metrics. The reduced set of 22 OOKS items appears to offer comparable measurement of pre-training knowledge on opioid overdose risks, signs of an overdose, and rescue procedures for both bystanders and first responders.

Assessment of Personality in Basque Public Sector Employees and Its Role in Predicting Organizational Citizenship Behaviors in Selection Processes

Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) are an important aspect of job performance as they enhance the effectiveness of organizations. Research has shown that personality is a moderate predictor of job performance. This study, involving a sample of 678 public sector employees in the Basque Country (northern Spain), pursued two aims: First, to develop and validate a Basque-language version of the Overall Personality Assessment Scale (OPERAS), a scale designed to assess the Big Five personality factors in a wide range of settings; and second, to examine whether person-organization fit (PO fit) and adaptive performance improve the capacity of personality to predict OCBs. The results indicated that the adapted scale was a suitable instrument for assessing personality in the Basque-speaking population. Furthermore, PO fit and adaptive performance improved the capacity of personality to predict OCBs. Based on these results, we propose a new predictive model that may enhance the efficiency of personnel selection processes.

Exploring the stability of HEXACO-60 structure and the association of gender, age, and social position with personality traits across 18 countries

OBJECTIVES

The present paper tests the cross-national stability of the HEXACO-60 structure across 18 countries from four continents. Gender and age differences across countries will be examined. Finally, this is the first study to explicitly analyze the relationships between the HEXACO and social position.

METHOD

Ten thousand two hundred and ninety eight subjects (5,410 women and 4,888 men) from 18 countries and 13 languages were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis techniques were used to test configural, metric and scalar invariance models. Congruence coefficients with the original structure of the HEXACO-60 were computed for every culture. Effect sizes of gender, age, and social position factors across countries were also computed.

RESULTS

HEXACO-60 demonstrates configural and metric invariance, but not scalar invariance. Congruence coefficients show a great equivalence in almost all countries and factors. Only Emotionality presents a large gender difference across countries. No relevant effect of age is observed. A profile of high scores on Honesty-Humility, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience, and low scores on Emotionality increases the likelihood of achieving a higher social position, although the effect sizes are small.

CONCLUSIONS

HEXACO-60 is a useful instrument to conduct personality trait research and practice around the world. Implications of gender, social position, and country differences are discussed.

A Cross-Cultural Investigation of the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory Short Form: Narcissism as a Multidimensional Trait in the United Kingdom and Russia

Research on narcissism supports a multifactorial structure with each factor to be multidimensional. However, studies typically assess 1 factor of narcissism using scales such as the Short Dark Triad (SD3). The Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory and its short form (FFNI-SF) were developed recently to account for this issue. The extent to which the FFNI-SF assesses equivalent constructs across countries has, nonetheless, received little attention. This study evaluated the factor structure of the FFNI-SF in a Russian sample (N = 1,996) and compared the results with those derived from a UK sample (N = 1,292). Overall, the FFNI-SF evidenced satisfactory internal consistency (mean α = .82 and .79 for the Russian and UK sample for the factors of Antagonism, Extraversion and Neuroticism, respectively). Additionally, analyses yielded a 3-component model in both samples similar to that reported in the original validation study, which also demonstrated meaningful correlations with the SD3. Finally, Antagonism demonstrated significant differences between the 2 samples, perhaps reflecting societal differences between Russia and the United Kingdom. The study highlights the importance of using psychometrically sound measures to assess narcissism in its complexity and the need for additional research on how this trait operates within the personality sphere and across cultures.

Measuring Well-Being in Sport Performers: Where are We Now and How do we Progress?

The importance of optimal well-being and mental health in elite athletes has received increasing attention and debate in both the academic and public discourse. Despite the number of challenges and risk factors for mental health and well-being recognised within the performance lifestyle of elite athletes, the evidence base for intervention is limited by a number of methodological and conceptual issues. Notably, there exists an increasing emphasis on the development of appropriate sport-specific measures of athlete well-being, which are required to underpin strategies targeted at the protection and enhancement of psychosocial functioning. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to review psychometric issues in well-being research and discuss the implications for the measurement of well-being in sport psychology research. Drawing on the broader literature in related disciplines of psychology, the narrative discusses four key areas in the scale development process: conceptual and theoretical issues, item development issues, measurement and scoring issues, and analytical and statistical issues. To conclude, a summary of the key implications for sport psychology researchers seeking to develop a measure of well-being is presented.

Improving the Measurement of Environmental Sensitivity in Children and Adolescents: The Highly Sensitive Child Scale-21 Item Version

Children differ in their sensitivity to positive and negative environmental influences, which can be measured with the Highly Sensitive Child (HSC) scale. The present study introduces the HSC-21, an adaptation of the original 12 item scale with new items and factor structure that are meant to be more informative than the original ones. The psychometric properties of the HSC-21 were investigated in 1,088 children across Belgium and the Netherlands, including child and mother reports. Results showed evidence for (a) bifactor model with a general sensitivity factor and two specific factors (i.e., Ease of Excitation-Low Sensory Threshold and Aesthetic Sensitivity); (b) (partial) measurement invariance across gender, developmental stage, country, and informants; (c) moderate child-mother agreement; (d) good reliability; (e) normally distributed item scores; and (f) meaningful associations with personality and temperament across both samples. No evidence was found for HSC-21 as a moderator in the relationship between parenting and problem behaviors.

[Validation of the questionnaire for assessing the childbirth experience (QACE) in a French population]

BACKGROUND

A woman's negative perception of her subjective childbirth experience can have consequences on the mother's psychological state and on early mother-baby relationships. To date, there is no validated tool in France allowing to evaluate childbirth experience in a multidimensional way. The aim of this study is to validate the Questionnaire Assessing the Childbirth Experience (QEVA) in a French sample of mothers. This tool was developed in a previous study where the authors combined 25 items into 6 dimensions: representations and expectations, sensory perceptions, feeling of control, perceived social support (medical staff and partner), emotions (positive and negative) and first moments with the baby.

METHODS

The sample included 256 women recruited in a maternity ward. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics of our sample were compared to those of the French national perinatal survey. The structure of the QEVA with 17 items was explored by an exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). An analysis of the internal consistency was conducted on the sub-scores of the identified factors, and the concurrent validity was assessed with the Peri-traumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) through a correlation and its associated t-test.

RESULTS

The characteristics of our sample and those of the national perinatal survey do not differ on age, marital status, parity, cannabis use, infertility treatment, epidural and baby weight, in favour of the good representativeness of our sample. The study of the QEVA structure revealed a 4-dimensional structure. Analysis of the psychometric qualities showed a good internal consistency, with an observed alpha value ranging from 0.69 to 0.86. The QEVA also shows a good concurrent validity with the peri-traumatic distress scores (r=0.51).

CONCLUSION

To date, the QEVA is the first standardized tool allowing a multidimensional evaluation of the subjective experience of childbirth. It has been validated on a French population using an exploratory structural equation modeling. This tool, which is simple to use and well accepted by mothers, enables health professionals not only to screen mothers experiencing difficult childbirth and in need of support, but also to adapt health care according to the dimensions of the birth experience and its associated difficulties (emotions during the birth, interactions with health professionals, first moments with the baby, or post-partum emotions).

Psychometric Properties of the Adult Self-Report: Data from over 11,000 American Adults

The first purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Adult Self-Report (ASR) via traditional confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and contemporary exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The second purpose was to examine the measurement invariance of the ASR subscales across age groups. We used baseline data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. ASR data from 11,773 participants were used to conduct the CFA and ESEM analyses and data from 11,678 participants were used to conduct measurement invariance testing. Fit indices supported both the CFA and ESEM solutions, with the ESEM solution yielding better fit indices. However, several items in the ESEM solution did not sufficiently load on their intended factors and/or cross-loaded on unintended factors. Results from the measurement invariance analysis suggested that the ASR subscales are robust and fully invariant across subgroups of adults formed on the basis of age (18–35 years vs. 36–59 years). Future research should seek to both CFA and ESEM to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the ASR.

An Examination of the Spanish Translation of the 50-item International Personality Item Pool Big-five Inventory in a Spanish Speaking Peruvian Sample

The International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) five-factor model inventories are widely used for personality research and have been translated into multiple languages. However, the extent of the psychometric assessment of translated scales is variable, often minimal. The lack of psychometric scrutiny is particularly problematic because translation is an inherently complex process. Here, we present a structural analysis of one Spanish translation of the 50-item IPIP five-factor inventory in a sample of Peruvian, non-university educated, working adults (n = 778). A global confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) model of the a priori five factors failed to fit. So too did single factor models for four of the five factors, the exception being Neuroticism. Fit was improved via use of an exploratory structural equation measurement model, but the resultant solution showed very poor theoretical coherence. So, we explored the data for systematic measurement artefacts and sought to model them to improve the psychometric properties of the scale. Specifically, the pattern of factor loadings suggested that the lack of coherence might be due to the effects of the valence of item wording (i.e., positively or negatively worded items). CFA models including five substantive factors and a series of method factors modelling shared covariance based on item wording, improved fit and coherence. This investigation suggests that unless method factors are explicitly modelled the tested Spanish translation may not be suitable for use in certain Spanish-speaking countries or samples composed of non-university educated participants. More broadly, the study has implications for many translated scales, especially when used without thorough psychometric evaluation.

Global sex differences in personality: Replication with an open online dataset

OBJECTIVE

Sex differences in personality are a matter of continuing debate. In a study on the United States standardization sample of Cattell's 16PF (fifth edition), Del Giudice and colleagues (2012; PLoS ONE, 7, e29265) estimated global sex differences in personality with multigroup covariance and mean structure analysis. The study found a surprisingly large multivariate effect, D = 2.71. Here we replicated the original analysis with an open online dataset employing an equivalent version of the 16PF.

METHOD

We closely replicated the original MG-MCSA analysis on N = 21,567 U.S. participants (63% females, age 16-90); for robustness, we also analyzed N = 31,637 participants across English-speaking countries (61% females, age 16-90).

RESULTS

The size of global sex differences was D = 2.06 in the United States and D = 2.10 across English-speaking countries. Parcel-allocation variability analysis showed that results were robust to changes in parceling (U.S.: median D = 2.09, IQR [1.89, 2.37]; English-speaking countries: median D = 2.17, IQR [1.98, 2.47]).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results corroborate the original study (with a comparable if somewhat smaller effect size) and provide new information on the impact of parcel allocation. We discuss the implications of these and similar findings for the psychology of sex differences.

Personality Across the Lifespan

Abstract. Personality is a relevant predictor for important life outcomes across the entire lifespan. Although previous studies have suggested the comparability of the measurement of the Big Five personality traits across adulthood, the generalizability to childhood is largely unknown. The present study investigated the structure of the Big Five personality traits assessed with the Big Five Inventory-SOEP Version (BFI-S; SOEP = Socio-Economic Panel) across a broad age range spanning 11–84 years. We used two samples of N = 1,090 children (52% female, Mage = 11.87) and N = 18,789 adults (53% female, Mage = 51.09), estimating a multigroup CFA analysis across four age groups (late childhood: 11–14 years; early adulthood: 17–30 years; middle adulthood: 31–60 years; late adulthood: 61–84 years). Our results indicated the comparability of the personality trait metric in terms of general factor structure, loading patterns, and the majority of intercepts across all age groups. Therefore, the findings suggest both a reliable assessment of the Big Five personality traits with the BFI-S even in late childhood and a vastly comparable metric across age groups.

Fuentes de estrés por aculturación en la infancia y adolescencia. Propuesta del instrumento de medición FEAC-IA

El estrés por aculturación ha sido asociado fuertemente al surgimiento de problemas en la salud de las personas, principalmente en la salud mental. Pese a su importancia como factor de riesgo, su estudio se ha realizado mayoritariamente en población adulta, siendo menor la investigación realizada al respecto en población infantil y adolescente. En esta investigación, se evalúan las propiedades psicométricas del FEAC-IA, cuestionario destinado a evaluar las fuentes de estrés por aculturación. Se recogieron datos de 401 escolares entre 8 a 18 años (M = 12.4; K = 2.5). Se realizaron análisis de confiabilidad y de los indicadores de bondad de ajuste para la evaluación de modelos de la estructura factorial, mediante análisis de ecuaciones estructurales exploratorias (MEEE) y análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC). El cuestionario presenta buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste para un modelo trifactorial: añoranza y diferencias con el país de origen, adaptación en la escuela, familia y relación con los pares y experiencias de discriminación (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.976; RMSEA = 0.052). La escala propuesta puede constituirse en un aporte importante para recoger insumos en población migrante infanto-juvenil sobre las fuentes de estrés, que permitan elaborar planes específicos de intervención.

The Practical Effects of Measurement Invariance: Gender Invariance in Two Big Five Personality Measures

The essence of measurement invariance (MI) analysis is to test the assumption that observed scores on a scale accurately reflect respondents' standings on a measured construct. Based on exploratory structural equation modeling, the current study examines gender-based MI in two Big Five measures of personality: the Mini-IPIP, and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) facet scales. We report results for MI based on both model fit indices and a practical significance index that quantifies the extent of noninvariance (i.e., d_MACS). From the latter, we partition the observed group mean differences in scale scores into construct-irrelevant group differences versus construct-relevant group differences. In measures of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism across instruments, results supported metric invariance but not scalar invariance. That said, findings of statistical noninvariance were generally small in terms of practical effects, although some notable variability in the effects was evident. Overall, the current results provide evidence regarding gender-based MI of Big Five personality measures that are more detailed than that provided in past work. More generally, this study also provides useful guidance for future researchers investigating both the statistical and practical significance of measurement invariance.

Can’t Make it Better nor Worse

Abstract. Some of the most popular psychological questionnaires violate general rules of item construction: precise, positively keyed items without negations, multiple aspects of content, absolute statements, or vague quantifiers. To investigate if following these rules results in more desirable psychometric properties, 1,733 participants completed online either the original NEO Five-Factor Inventory, an “improved” version whose items follow the rules of item construction, or a “deteriorated” version whose items strongly violate these rules. We compared reliability estimates, item-total correlations, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) model fit, and fit to the partial credit model between the three versions. Neither of the manipulations resulted in considerable or consistent effects on any of the psychometric indices. Our results question the ability of standard analyses in test construction to distinguish good items from bad ones, as well as the effectiveness of general rules of item construction. To increase the reproducibility of psychological science, more focus should be laid on improving psychological measures.

Measurement Invariance of the Five Factor Model of Personality: Facet-Level Analyses Among Euro and Asian Americans

Relative to broad Big Five domains, personality facets provide incremental value in predicting life outcomes. Valid between-group comparisons of means and correlates of facet scores are contingent upon measurement invariance of personality measures. Research on culture and Big Five personality has been largely limited to cross-national comparisons of domains, without assessing measurement invariance across ethnoracial groups within the same country. Using the NEO Inventories, we tested facet-level measurement invariance between Euro (N = 418, 63.2% women, M_age = 18.43) and Asian Americans (N = 429, 56.6% women, M_age = 18.00). Multigroup exploratory factor analysis within a confirmatory factor analysis framework showed partial strong invariance. Assertiveness and activity did not load onto extraversion as strongly for Asian Americans. Self-consciousness showed a stronger cross-loading onto extraversion among Asian Americans than Euro Americans. Achievement striving, competence, warmth, tender-mindedness, and excitement seeking showed noninvariant intercepts across groups. Collectivistic values emphasizing interpersonal harmony and modesty should be considered when examining narrow and broad traits among Asian Americans.

Social comparison at school: Can GPA and personality mutually influence each other across time?

OBJECTIVE

Being a student is an important social role youth play during adolescence and how they approach this role has critical implications for their future development. This three-wave longitudinal study investigated the links between academic achievement (i.e., GPA) and personality traits, through the lens of social comparison mechanisms.

METHOD

Patterns of effects between students' GPA and personality traits were analyzed at group (i.e., comparing rank-order differences at group-level; group effects) and individual (i.e., scores are compared to a student's own mean; within-person effects) levels. A total of 1,151 adolescents (M_age  = 16.45 years; 58.7% female) participated in the study.

RESULTS

Most effects we depicted were from GPA to personality traits. At the group-level, higher GPA fostered students' Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness, while Openness reinforced high levels of GPA. At the individual level, GPA was a protective factor against negative affect, as it drove longitudinal decreases in Neuroticism.

CONCLUSIONS

GPA had a stronger role in personality formation when it reflected students' standing in the school compared to their peers (i.e., group effects) and to a lesser extent when it reflected changes at personal level (i.e., within-person effects).

Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS): Validation in a Large Multisite College Sample

Despite the importance of daily life executive functioning (EF) for college students' success, few measures exist that have been validated in college students specifically. This study examined the factor structure of the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) in college students. Participants were 1,311 students (ages 18-28 years, 65% female) from five universities in the United States. Additionally, the study examined invariance across sex, age, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Exploratory structural equation modeling provided strong support for the BDEFS five-factor structure though some items had high cross-loadings on multiple factors. Findings generally supported invariance across sex and age; however, loadings, thresholds, and factor means differed based on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Stronger support for invariance across sex emerged for a reduced item version that eliminated cross-loading items. Overall, findings provide support for the validity and utility of the BDEFS in college students.

Comedians' Trait Level and Stage Personalities: Evidence for Goal-Directed Personality Adaptation

Recent findings have shown that both trait levels of personality and situational variability in its expression are of importance. So here, the Big Five personality traits of 77 professional and 125 amateur stand-up comedians were compared with two large matched samples (N > 100,000). The comedians were also observed while performing, which enabled a comparison of their stage personalities with situational requirements on 10 selected NEO-PIR facets. Both amateurs and professionals showed higher openness-to-experience, extraversion, and lower conscientiousness than their norm samples, while professionals also evidenced greater neuroticism. Irrespective of trait standing, with regard to most NEO-PIR facets, professionals expressed the appropriate on-stage persona and were better able to regulate their personality to conform to situational requirements than amateurs. This is consistent with research showing that individuals regulate their personality to conform to situational and goal requirements, and adds the finding that successful comedians demonstrate enhanced adaptability compared with amateurs.

The validity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for children with ADHD symptoms

Background

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is widely used to assess child and adolescent mental health problems. However, the factor structure of the SDQ is subject to debate and there is limited evidence investigating measurement equivalence invariance (ME/I) between treatment groups, informants, and across time.

Method

A randomised controlled trial (RCT) recruited 250 participants (6–17 years) who had been referred for an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment. Participants and their clinician either received or did not receive a QbTest report (computer task measuring attention, impulsivity and activity). Parents and teachers completed the SDQ at baseline and 6-months later. This study aimed to understand the factor structure of the SDQ in a clinic referred ADHD sample, and validate the scale as a screening/diagnostic aide and as a measure of treatment outcome both in clinical and research settings. Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (ESEM) was performed to examine the factor structure, and ME/I was assessed between treatment groups, informants, and time points. The criterion validity of the SDQ predictive algorithm for ADHD was compared with clinician and research diagnoses using logistic regression and tests of diagnostic accuracy.

Results

A 5-factor structure provided the best fit with strong factorial invariance between treatment groups and across time points, but not across informants (parent and teacher ratings). SDQ ratings of ‘probable’ hyperactivity disorder were good predictors of clinical (OR = 10.20, 95%CI 2.18–48.71,p = 0.003) and research diagnoses of ADHD (OR = 6.82, 95%CI 1.95–23.84,p = 0.003), and research diagnoses of Hyperkinetic disorder (OR = 4.02, 95%CI 1.13–14.25,p = 0.031). Further examination of the SDQ hyperactivity ‘probable’ rating showed good specificity (84.5%-74.5%) but poor sensitivity (45.0–42.5%) for ADHD.

Conclusion

The findings indicate the SDQ is a valid outcome measure for use in RCTs and clinical settings. However, care should be taken when using the SDQ predictive algorithm to screen for ADHD in clinically referred samples.

Factor Structure and Longitudinal Factorial Validity of the Core Self-Evaluation Scale

Abstract. The personality high-order concept of core self-evaluations (CSE), which refers to a basic evaluation of one’s worth, capability, and effectiveness, has attracted a lot of research interest. Yet little is known about the construct validity of the core self-evaluation scale (CSES) while information on its longitudinal factorial validity is wholly lacking. This study investigated the factor structure of the CSES using both confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis implemented in Mplus program. In addition, the factor loading invariance over time was investigated using exploratory structural equation modeling. Longitudinal data with three follow-ups over 2 years, gathered among university employees (n = 926 (T3)–2,137 (T1)), were used. The results showed that a two-factor solution comprising the sub-dimensions Internal and External self-evaluations fitted to the data better than the alternative factor models. The two-factor solution was also invariant across the three measurements. It is concluded that the CSES could be used as a two-dimensional instead of a one-dimensional scale. Splitting the scale into the two sub-dimensions of Internal and External self-evaluations revealed that the concept has a finer-grained structure than hitherto thought.

Psychometric properties of the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (MIA) in a population-based sample

We report on the psychometric properties of the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (MIA), a self-report instrument for quantifying the frequency of mental health and psychosocial adaptation problems using a dimensional approach and based on the DSM-5. The instrument includes 113 questions, takes 20-25 minutes to answer, and covers the past 12 months. A population-based cohort of adolescents (n = 1443, age = 15 years; 48% males) rated the frequency at which they experienced symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression, Generalized Anxiety, Social Phobia, Eating Disorders (i.e. DSM disorders), Self-harm, Delinquency, Psychopathy as well as social adaptation problems (e.g. aggression). They also rated interference with functioning in four contexts (family, friends, school, daily life). Reliability analyses indicated good to excellent internal consistency for most scales (alpha = 0.70-0.97) except Psychopathy (alpha = 0.46). The hypothesized structure of the instrument showed acceptable fit according to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) [Chi-square (4155) = 9776.2, p = 0.000; Chi-square/DF = 2.35; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.031; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.864], and good convergent and discriminant validity according to multitrait-multimethods analysis. This initial study showed adequate internal validity and reliability of the MIA. Our findings open the way for further studies investigating other validity aspects, which are necessary before recommending the wide use of the MIA in research and clinical settings.

Evaluating the Construct Validity of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB) using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). The data were drawn from the national survey of Midlife in the United States conducted during 1994 and 1995. Measurement models assuming different number of factors (1-6 factors) and considering the effect of negatively wording items were specified and compared to determine optimal number of underlying factors. The discriminant validity was assessed following Farrell’s suggestions. The results showed the discriminant validity was questionable due to five indicators with considerable cross-loadings.

Longitudinal and Sex Measurement Invariance of the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales

The Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS) is a personality instrument based on six evolutionary-related brain systems that are at the foundation of human emotions and behaviors: SEEKING, CARING, PLAYFULNESS, FEAR, ANGER, and SADNESS. We sought to assess for the short and long versions of the ANPS: (a) the longitudinal measurement invariance and long-term (4-year) stability and (b) the sex measurement invariance. Using data from a Canadian cohort ( N = 518), we used single-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess longitudinal invariance and multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess sex invariance, according to a five-step approach evaluating five invariance levels (configural, metric, scalar, residual, and complete). Results supported full longitudinal invariance for both versions for all invariance levels. Partial residual invariance was supported for sex invariance. The long-term stability of both versions was good to excellent. Implications for personality assessment and ANPS development are discussed.

Investigating the Structure of the Pediatric Symptoms Checklist in the Preschool Setting

When using educational/psychological instruments, psychometric investigations should be conducted before adopting to new environments to ensure that an instrument measures the same constructs. Exploratory structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to examine the utility of the short form of the Pediatric Symptoms Checklist (PSC-17) in the school setting. Using a sample of 836 preschool children rated by teachers, three factors were identified across both techniques, with factors matching the hypothesized structure of the instrument. The PSC-17 may be an option for use in preschool settings when conducting behavioral and emotional screening.

A New Look at the Factor Structure of the MHC-SF in Iran and the United States Using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) in young adults from Iran and the USA and across gender.

METHOD

The sample consisted of 387 Iranian and 395 American university students. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the new method of exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

The three-dimensional model of well-being as measured by the MHC-SF was consistent with the data. ESEM resulted in better fit indices as well as considerably lower factor correlations than did CFA. Partial measurement invariance across nations and full measurement invariance across gender were established.

CONCLUSION

The results confirm the three-dimensional structure of mental well-being, and indicate that the items of the MHC-SF function largely similarly across the two nations. These results also showcase the unique value of ESEM in understanding the factor structure of mental well-being.

The Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form: Evidence for Reliability and Construct Validity in a Sample of Community-Dwelling Italian Adolescents

To assess the reliability and construct validity of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Brief Form (PID-5-BF) among adolescents, 877 Italian high school students were administered the PID-5-BF. Participants were administered also the Measure of Disordered Personality Functioning (MDPF) as a criterion measure. In the full sample, Cronbach's alpha values for the PID-5-BF scales ranged from .59 (Detachment) to .77 (Psychoticism); in addition, all PID-5-BF scales showed mean interitem correlation values in the .22 to .40 range. Cronbach's alpha values for the PID-5-BF total score was .83 (mean interitem r = .16). Although 2-month test-retest reliability could be assessed only in a small ( n = 42) subsample of participants, all PID-5-BF scale scores showed adequate temporal stability, as indexed by intraclass r values ranging from .78 (Negative Affectivity) to .97 (Detachment), all ps <.001. Exploratory structural equation modeling analyses provided at least moderate support for the a priori model of PID-5-BF items. Multiple regression analyses showed that PID-5-BF scales predicted a nonnegligible amount of variance in MDPF Non-Cooperativeness, adjusted R² = .17, p < .001, and Non-Coping scales, adjusted R² = .32, p < .001. Similarly, the PID-5-BF total score was a significant predictor of both MDPF Non-Coping, and Non-Cooperativeness scales.

Construct Validity of the Social Provisions Scale: A Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Extant theory posits well-differentiated dimensions of perceived social support as measured using the Social Provisions Scale (SPS). However, evidence is inconsistent with this multidimensionality perspective, with SPS factor correlations near unity and higher between-factor than within-factor item correlations. This article reports on research investigating the internal structure, gender invariance, and predictive validity of SPS scores. The analyses are conducted in a novel bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) framework, which is designed to account for presumed psychometric multidimensionality in SPS items due to (a) their fallibility as pure indicators of the constructs they are purported to measure and (b) the coexistence of general and specific factors. Based on 376 item responses, evidence was obtained for a bifactor-ESEM representation of the SPS data. In addition, support was found for the invariance of item thresholds and the latent mean invariance of six of the seven SPS factors in the retained solution. Only mean levels of Social Integration were found to differ by gender, with men scoring higher than women. Finally, evidence was obtained for the predictive validity of SPS scores with respect to loneliness and psychological well-being. Quite apart from yielding evidence validating the SPS, this research demonstrates the utility of bifactor ESEM for psychological assessment.

Psychometric properties of the Chalder Fatigue Scale revisited: an exploratory structural equation modeling approach

Objective

Previous validation studies of the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS) suffer methodological shortcomings. The present study aimed to re-evaluate its psychometric properties using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM).

Methods

A Chinese sample of 1259 community-dwelling residents completed the 11-item Chinese CFS and a variety of health measures (anxiety, depression, exhaustion, sleep disturbance, and quality of life). In addition to traditional confirmatory factor analysis, ESEM was performed to assess the fit of two- and three-factor models using robust maximum likelihood estimation and oblique geomin rotation. Convergent validity of the CFS was examined via associations with five covariates (gender, age, exercise, perceived health, and life event) and the health measures in the ESEM model.

Results

The ESEM models displayed a superior fit to confirmatory factor models. The three-factor ESEM model showed a satisfactory model fit to the data but not for the two-factor model. The three factors were physical fatigue (three items, α = .800), low energy (four items, α = .821), and mental fatigue (four items, α = .861). The factors exhibited convergent validity with the model covariates and health measures.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate the satisfactory reliability and convergent validity for the three-factor structure of the CFS as a valid measure of fatigue symptoms in the general population. Future psychometric studies could adopt the ESEM approach as a practical alternative to traditional confirmatory factor analysis.

Evaluating Measurement Invariance Between Parents Using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Parent ratings of their children's behavioral and emotional difficulties are commonly collected via the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). For the first time, this study addressed the issue of interparent agreement using a measurement invariance approach. Data from 695 English couples (mothers and fathers) who had rated the behavior of their 4.25-year-old child were used. Given the inconsistency of previous results about the SDQ factor structure, alternative measurement models were tested. A five-factor Exploratory Structural Equation Model allowing for nonzero cross-loadings fitted data best. Subsequent invariance analyses revealed that the SDQ factor structure is adequately invariant across parents, with interrater correlations ranging from .67 to .78. Fathers reported significantly higher levels of child conduct problems, hyperactivity, and emotional symptoms, and lower levels of prosocial behavior. This suggests that mothers and fathers each provide unique information across a range of their child's behavioral and emotional problems.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis as a Tool in Research Using Questionnaires: A Critique,

Predicting the factor structure of a test and comparing this with the factor structure, empirically derived from the item scores, is a powerful test of the content validity of the test items, the theory justifying the prediction, and the test's construct validity. For the last two decades, the preferred method for such testing has often been confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). CFA expresses the degree of discrepancy between predicted and empirical factor structure in X2 and indices of “goodness of fit” (GOF), while primary factor loadings and modification indices provide some feedback on item level. However, the latter feedback is very limited, while X2 and the GOF indices appear to be problematic. This will be demonstrated by a selective review of the literature on CFA.