Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Research Articles

Psychometric Properties of the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF): A Study With Individuals With Schizophrenia Living in the Community.

The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is widely used to measure positive mental health. This study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of the MHC-SF in persons with schizophrenia living in the community. Two hundred thirty-one individuals with schizophrenia living in the community in South Korea filled out the MHC-SF. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bifactor CFA, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and bifactor ESEM were undertaken to examine the factor structure of the MHC-SF. Results showed that a three-factor bifactor ESEM model yielded better fit than the other alternative models. Indices of internal consistency reliability were acceptable. The results suggest that bifactor ESEM is an appropriate analysis for examining the factor structure of the MHC-SF in individuals with schizophrenia. The findings support the use of the overall MHC-SF scale rather than the use of the subscales in people with schizophrenia.

Italian version of the Occupational Depression Inventory: Validity, reliability, and associations with health, economic, and work-life characteristics.

The Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI) reflects a new approach to job-related distress centered on work-attributed depressive symptoms. The instrument was developed with reference to the characterization of major depression found in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. The ODI has been validated in English, French, and Spanish. This study (a) investigated the psychometric and structural properties of the ODI's Italian version and (b) inquired into the nomological network of occupational depression. A convenience sample of 963 employed individuals was recruited in Italy (69.9% female; mean age = 40.433). We notably relied on exploratory structural equation modeling bifactor analysis, common-practice confirmatory factor analysis, and Mokken scale analysis to examine our dataset. Our analyses indicated that the Italian version of the ODI meets the requirements for essential unidimensionality, thus justifying the use of the instrument's total score. The ODI's reliability was excellent. Measurement invariance held across sexes, age groups, and occupations. Occupational depression was negatively associated with general wellbeing and positively associated with a 12-month history of depressive disorder, current antidepressant intake, 12-month sick leave, 6-month physical assault at work, 6-month verbal abuse at work, lack of money for leisure activities, and financial strain in the household. The ODI's Italian version exhibits robust psychometric and structural properties, suggesting that the instrument can be fruitfully used for addressing job-related distress in Italian-speaking populations. Furthermore, the present study relates occupational depression to important health, economic, and work-life characteristics, including past depressive episodes, antidepressant medication, sickness-related absenteeism, workplace violence, and economic stress.

Revisiting boredom in practical English language classes via exploratory structural equation modeling

Recently research on boredom has gained momentum in the field of applied linguistics. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) have been used to validate the Boredom in Practical English Classes – Revised scale (BPELC-R). Yet, these techniques are not free from limitations. In order to address these limitations, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) is strongly recommended. Comparing CFA and ESEM models (i.e., standard and bifactor CFA and standard ESEM and bifactor ESEM), the current study aimed to revisit the construct validity of BPELC-R. A total number of 549 English major students (161 females and 388 males) participated in the present investigation. On the whole, the findings demonstrated that CFA failed to provide acceptable fit indices and discriminant validity. However, ESEM (especially bifactor ESEM) offered a better assessment and representation of the construct validity of the BPELC-R scale. Limitations and implications of the study are also provided.

The Revised Child-to-Parent Aggressions Questionnaire: an Examination During the Covid-19 Pandemic

PurposeChild-to-parent violence (CPV) is an important type of family violence that has been relatively understudied. This study examined the main psychometric properties of the revised Child-to-Parent Aggression Questionnaire (CPAQ-R), which examines both violent behaviors against parents and reasons for these behaviors. The aims included identifying the dimensions of CPV and examining the magnitude of CPV during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA sample of 1,244 adolescents (aged from 12 to 17) from several schools in the Basque Country completed the CPAQ-R. Several confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, including exploratory, confirmatory, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and bifactor analyses.ResultsThe data supported a bifactor ESEM model in which a general factor of violence against parents explained aggressions against both mothers and fathers. In addition, three reasons for the violence emerged: instrumental, reactive, and defensive reasons. Rates of CPV during the COVID-19 pandemic were high, with 16.5% of adolescents reporting reiterative aggressions against their parents. There were no differences between aggressions against mothers and fathers.ConclusionsThe CPAQ-R is an adequate questionnaire for assessing CPV in adolescents. The confinement and restrictions placed on families during the COVID-19 pandemic may explain the high prevalence of CPV and shed light on possible differences related to the sex of the parents.

Using a bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling framework to examine the factor structure of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21.

This study proposed an improved representation of the DASS-21 factor structure developed by Lovibond and Lovibond in Behaviour Research and Therapy, 33, 335–342 (1995) using bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (bifactor ESEM). This research was conducted by reference to 521 Turkish adults (45.3% females; Mage = 27.86, SD = 8.23). The bifactor ESEM findings indicated a strong general factor of negative affect underlying responses to all DASS-21 items but also that despite the presence of three specific factors (depression, anxiety, and stress), the depression subscale explained a high degree of variance and could be considered to constitute a specific factor. The results obtained from this study show that there is a common factor associated with DASS-21 scales, the total score of DASS-21 can be identified as a measure of general negative affect, and the bifactor ESEM structure of DASS-21 ensures measurement invariance across genders.

Hybrid discourse spaces: A mixed methods study of student engagement in U.S. science classrooms

In this mixed methods study, we applied engagement and sociocultural (hybridity) frameworks to understand the nature of historically underserved students' participation in science discourse. We analyzed videos from seven U.S. urban middle school science classrooms to examine features of hybrid discourse spaces (where students’ everyday and academic discourses are integrated) as students engaged in science talk. We also examined the relationships among instructional practices and science engagement (N = 101 students) using bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (bESEM). Findings showed that science discourse occurred primarily in traditional spaces and was largely directed by the teacher. Within the smaller subset of hybrid spaces, small group discourse formats and shared or student-directed agency were more prevalent compared to traditional and everyday spaces. Qualitative themes displayed student agency, identities, and knowledge bases across lived worlds co-existing in hybrid discourse spaces. The bESEM showed that instructional practices associated with high quality and equity-focused instruction relate differentially to specific dimensions of engagement, demonstrating most consistent relationships with affective engagement. The variable representing funds of knowledge connections was only related to cognitive engagement. The integrated findings demonstrate the potential of hybrid discourse spaces for supporting equitable student engagement in science talk. Implications for practice and lines for future research are discussed.

Supervisors' interpersonal styles: An integrative perspective and a measure based on self‐determination theory

AbstractThis research addresses recent calls for an alternative integrative framework to apprehend leaders' behaviors and examines the validity ofaquestionnaire anchored in this theoretical approach. Building upon Self‐Determination Theory, we examined a tripartite approach of supervisors' behaviors (supportive, thwarting, and indifferent toward subordinates' psychological needs). The psychometric properties of this Tripartite Measure of Interpersonal Behaviors‐Supervisor (TMIB‐S) were tested through three studies. Results from bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling supported a solution including one global factor and three specific factors reflecting need supportive, thwarting, and indifferent behaviors. This solution was fully invariant across distinct samples of French‐ and English‐speaking employees. Results also supported the criterion‐related and discriminant validity of the TMIB‐S. More specifically, results supported the added‐value of the TMIB‐S, when compared to well‐established measures of leadership (passive leadership, abusive supervision, LMX, and tranformational leadership) in predicting well‐ and ill‐being. Results also highlighted well‐differentiated effects of the different components of supervisory behaviors and showed that supervisors' need indifferent behaviors constitute a key piece in the prediction of employees' health‐related consequences.

Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17: Factor Structure and Uniform Differential Item Functioning Across Gender and Age in HIV Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zambia.

This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist-17 (PSC-17) in a sample of children orphaned or made vulnerable (OVC) by HIV in Zambia. Caregivers of 1,076 OVC (55.1% boys; Mage = 12.91 years) completed the PSC-17. Competing models, including confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), hierarchical CFA, bifactor CFA, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and bifactor ESEM, were tested to evaluate the optimal factor structure of the PSC-17. Results showed that the bifactor ESEM provided the best approximation of the PSC-17 data with a well-defined general psychosocial problems factor explaining 72% of the reliable variance in the total score and an internalizing factor containing 63% of reliable variance unique from the general factor. The observed overall psychosocial problems score was associated with lower academic achievement and working memory (with small effect sizes), supporting the discriminant validity of score interpretation. Results of multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) analyses revealed that all items functioned equivalently across child gender and age.

Is the PHQ-9 a unidimensional measure of depression? A 58,272-participant study.

The PHQ-9 has become a measure of reference in depression research and clinical practice. However, the issue of the PHQ-9's unidimensionality has not been fully elucidated, and the usability of the PHQ-9's total score requires clarification. In this study, we examined the dimensionality, scalability, and monotonicity properties of the PHQ-9 as well as the scale's total-score reliability. We did so based on exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) bifactor analysis and Mokken scale analysis (MSA). We relied on a total of 58,272 participants (63% female; Mage = 43, SDage = 13) from 29 samples involving seven different countries (e.g., Germany, the U.S.) and five different languages (e.g., German, English). We found no concerning deviations from measurement invariance for our ESEM bifactor model, neither across samples nor across sexes, age groups, and languages. The PHQ-9 met the requirements for essential unidimensionality in the pooled sample and across sex-, age-, and language-based subsamples. In each case, the general factor was strong (e.g., factor loadings ranged from 0.725 to 0.893 in the pooled sample) and Omega Hierarchical values exceeded 0.900. The correlations between the general factor and the observed total scores were large (≥ 0.952). Our MSA, including multilevel MSA, revealed that the PHQ-9's scalability is satisfactory. No monotonicity violation was detected, suggesting that the scale's total score accurately orders respondents on the latent Depression variable. Total-score reliability was good. This study provides robust evidence that the PHQ-9 can be used as a unidimensional measure of depressive symptoms by researchers and practitioners. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

A Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Representation of the Structure of the Decent Work Scale: Evidence from China

The present study investigates the psychometric properties of decent work utilizing the bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (Bifactor-ESEM) approach. Using a sample of 701 Chinese employees who completed the multidimensional Decent Work Scale (DWS: Duffy et al., 2017), this study reveals the superiority of the Bifactor-ESEM representation of DWS compared to alternative representations of the data (ICM-CFA, Bifactor-CFA, and ESEM). Additionally, the results of measurement invariance in the MIMIC framework indicate the DWS is equivalent in various age and job tenure samples of participants. Finally, the results provide evidence for the criterion validity by confirming the importance of accounting for both the G-factor (representing the global level of decent work) and the S-factors (representing the specific level of decent work), which shows that specific types of decent work explained variance in covariates (i.e., work well-being, life well-being, engagement, and turnover intention) over and above the variance already explained by the G-factor.

Further Investigation of the Dimensionality of the Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being.

The dimensionality of the Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being (QEWB) has been a topic of debate and divergent findings in the literature up to date. This study investigated the factor structure and measurement invariance of the QEWB in four culturally diverse South African samples using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bifactor CFA, exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM), and bifactor ESEM. Three student samples completed the English (n = 326), Afrikaans (n = 478), or Setswana (n = 260) version of the QEWB. An adult sample (n = 262) completed the English version. The one-factor structure revealed poor fit for the student samples. Although the four-factor models generally showed slightly better fit than the three-factor models, the latter was preferred for parsimony. The bifactor ESEM model displayed good fit for the student samples, with the general factor and some specific factors attaining sufficient reliability scores, pointing to the potential use of the scale in these samples. Configural invariance between the student samples was supported, but not metric nor scalar invariance. For the adult sample, none of the models displayed good fit and the use of the QEWB in this sample is not recommended. The results point towards the existence of a global eudaimonic well-being factor and, at the same time, the interrelatedness of facets of eudaimonic well-being. It suggests that eudaimonic well-being may be represented by the same items across the three student groups. The influence of developmental phase on the manifestation and measurement of eudaimonic well-being should be explored in future.

Validation of the Cooperative Learning Scale and Cooperation Global Factor Using Bifactor Structural Equation Modelling

Cooperative learning has been found to be more productive in academic, personal, and social variables than individualistic or competitive settings, but there is a lack of adequate assessment instruments. The goals of the study were two: a) adapt and validate the existing Cooperative Learning Scale Spanish version for English-speaking secondary education contexts and b) obtain a cooperation global factor. A total of 778 secondary education students, within the 11-15 age range, enrolled in five different schools in Wales (year seven = 301, year eight = 276, year nine = 201) participated in the study. The original instrument, designed and validated for Spanish contexts, underwent a process of double debugging: a) experts trial and b) pilot study. The Cooperative Learning Scale English version included five factors with three items each: interpersonal skills, group processing, positive interdependence, promotive interaction, and individual accountability. Novel bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling (B-ESEM) was used. Results showed well-defined factors corresponding to a-priori expectations and a G-factor, a cooperation global factor.

Disentangling the associations of academic motivation with self-concept and academic achievement using the bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling framework

This study investigated the associations between academic motivation, self-concepts, and achievement in math and German using the bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (bifactor-ESEM) framework. Data from two independent samples (N1 = 1402, N2 = 1154) of German elementary and secondary school students revealed that the bifactor-ESEM representation of academic motivation was the most optimal solution among all models (CFA, bifactor-CFA, ESEM, bifactor-ESEM). Measurement invariance was supported across domains and education levels for all models. Global self-determined motivation was strongly associated with both academic self-concept and academic achievement. The specific motivation factors also shared associations with these variables over and above those involving the global self-determined motivation factor. This study highlights the importance of distinguishing global and specific levels of academic motivation.

Occupational Depression in a Spanish-Speaking Sample: Associations with Cognitive Performance and Work-Life Characteristics

This 386-participant study investigated the structural and psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI). Exploratory structural equation modeling bifactor analysis revealed that the ODI meets the requirements for essential unidimensionality. Measurement invariance held across our sample and the English- and French-speaking samples used in the ODI’s initial validation study. Mokken scale analysis indicated that (a) the scalability of the instrument was strong, (b) no violations of monotonicity or local independence were present, and (c) invariant item ordering was sufficiently accurate. The ODI’s reliability was optimal. The ODI exhibited both convergent validity and discriminant validity vis-à-vis a job-unrelated measure of depression. Furthermore, occupational depression correlated substantially, and in the expected direction, with objective cognitive performance and 10 widely studied work-life characteristics. This study suggests that the ODI’s Spanish version has excellent structural and psychometric properties and can be confidently employed by occupational health specialists.

A closer look at grandiose narcissism: A revised version of the narcissistic personality inventory using a single-stimulus Likert format among Chinese adolescents and adults

Despite its extensive use and profound impact, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI; Raskin & Terry, 1988) has been continuously criticized on its forced-choice format, questionable contents and unstable structure. This research mainly aimed to (a) untangle main issues of the NPI and develop a revised version (NPI-r; NPI-rb as its brief variant), (b) offer insights into psychometric properties of the Likert-style NPI and the nuanced structure of grandiose narcissism, and (c) provide a closer look at grandiose narcissists by comparing their self- versus informant-report profiles. Bi-factor exploratory structural equation modelling and comparison of nomological networks of the NPI versions were performed with two Chinese samples (N1 = 317 adults, age M = 26.9, SD = 6.1, 48% male; N2 = 269 adolescents, age M = 16.8, SD = 0.7, 49% male, with 142 informants). Results recommended the NPI-r and NPI-rb as better versions with improved psychometric properties and content validity. This research also underscored the unique roles of specific narcissistic traits, and found nomological networks of NPI versions in China consistent with previous evidence using Caucasian samples. Notably, the discrepancy between narcissists' self-report and informant-perceived profiles suggested some caution about the credibility of self-report data in narcissism studies.

Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and bifactor ESEM for construct validation purposes: Guidelines and applied example

The present study aims to introduce the advancement of the exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and bifactor ESEM for construct validation purposes in second language research. It does so by applying the methods to the Basic Psychological Needs in Second Language (BPN-L2) Scale (Alamer, 2021a) to assess its factorial validity from a novel perspective. Bifactor ESEM is useful in situations where the theory postulates two layers of constructs (global and specific constructs). A comparison was made between four CFA and ESEM models, and the bifactor ESEM was the model of choice because it provided sufficient details about the multidimensionality of the BPN-L2 scale which accounted for the specific constructs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and the general construct (i.e., the basic psychological needs) and allowed for the assessment of convergent, discriminant, and predictive (criterion) validity from a new perspective. Predictive (criterion-related) validity was assessed using the structural bifactor ESEM by showing that the specific factors explained autonomous motivation differently compared to the global BPN factor, thus confirming the presence of imbalance at the specific factors level. The study provided guidelines in applying bifactor ESEM and presented an applied example with the syntax required to run the models in Mplus. The findings showed that the BPN-L2 scale is reliable and valid through the bifactor ESEM solution and that CFA solutions failed to support the measurement model.

Examining the psychometric properties of the Chinese Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3: A bi-factor approach.

The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ) was revised to its third iteration (BREQ-3) and has been widely used to measure different types of exercise motivation, including amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation, and intrinsic motivation. However, the Chinese version has not been similarly revised. The aim of this study was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese BREQ-3 using alternative structural equation models. Specifically, this study aimed to translate the English BREQ-3 into Chinese to examine the best representation of the factor configuration of Chinese BREQ-3, measurement invariance for the best-fitted model, and the concurrent validity evidence and reliability for the Chinese BREQ-3. Undergraduate students (N = 825) from mainland China completed a battery of online questionnaires. After including two general motivation factors (controlled motivation and autonomous motivation), we discovered that the majority of items on the identified regulation, integrated regulation, and intrinsic motivation subscales no longer loaded on or had very low loadings on their specific factors, implying that these items essentially represent a unidimensional construct. Invariance testing supported the comparison between latent factor means across gender based on the bi-factor exploratory structural equation model (BESEM). Concurrent validity evidence was found for amotivation, controlled motivation, and autonomous motivation. The hierarchical omega, explained common variance (ECV), item explained common variance (I_ECV), and percentage of uncontaminated correlations (PUC) indicated that the external regulation and introjected regulation subscales had a multidimensional structure, while the identified regulation, integrated regulation, and intrinsic motivation subscales had a unidimensional structure (autonomous motivation). We advocate calculating amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, and a single autonomous motivation (excluding item 19) score when utilizing the Chinese BREQ-3.

Development and psychometric validation of the Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Inventory.

To date, no measures of sexual fantasies and behaviors have been tested using modern structural equation modeling techniques. A total of 4,280 adults from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Ireland completed a measure of diverse (paraphilic and normophilic) sexual fantasies and behaviors. Data were randomly split in half for a two-part analysis. First, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to reduce the item pool and determine general factor structure. Second, we tested several models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). These were followed by tests of measurement invariance (based on sex and sexual orientation) and criterion validity. For both the fantasies and behaviors, bifactor ESEMs were the most appropriate models. Similar specific factors emerged: (a) normophilia, (b) rough sex, (c) interest of intrusion, (d) assuming power, and (e) relinquishing power. Findings suggest that sexual interests show a hierarchical measurement structure. Males and nonheterosexuals had higher general fantasy scores; nonheterosexuals had higher general behavior scores. Heterosexuals generally scored lower than nonheterosexuals. Fantasy and behavior scores were positively related to Dark Triad traits and sociosexuality, and there were weak or no relationships with depression and anxiety. Results support the psychometric validation of the Sexual Fantasies and Behaviors Inventory. Strengths of this study include a large nonclinical sample with relevant psychological correlates and the use of modern psychometric methods. However, the use of an internet sample with self-report measures may be unrepresentative, although the internet has the advantage of being able to recruit from stigmatized groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychometric Properties of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) in Chilean Youth.

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)-3 test to evaluate eating disorders in young Chilean population. Methods: The sample consisted of 1,091 Chilean adolescents and young people (i.e., 476 men and 615 women) between 15 and 28 years old, from the metropolitan region, and four regions from the coast and south-central zone of the country. The reliability and factorial structure of the instrument were analyzed, replicating the confirmatory factor analyses of Brookings et al. (2020), evaluating four additional models that included bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), bifactor, and two-bifactor. Results: A majority of the subscales presented alphas and omegas equal to or greater than 0.70, with the exception of asceticism (α = 0.543, ω = 0.552) and interpersonal alienation (α = 0.684, ω = 0.695) scales, which are consistent with the values of the Spanish and Mexican non-clinical samples. The best fit indices were obtained by the ESEM two-bifactor model, with twelve specific factors corresponding to the EDI-3 subscales and two general orthogonal factors (i.e., risk subscales and psychological subscales), consistently with the theoretical basis.

A French adaptation of the Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy (ACME-F).

Vachon and Lynam (2016) recently introduced a new measure of empathy, the Affective and Cognitive Measure of Empathy (ACME). Besides assessing the traditional dimensions of cognitive and affective empathy, the ACME includes an affective dissonance scale that covers "antiempathy," an important feature of the construct with prominent predictive value not included in other empathy measures. The aim of this study is to provide data on the French version of the ACME. A sample of 851 community-dwelling participants (59.4% female) completed online the ACME questionnaire along with other measures of empathy, dark and pathological personality traits, and aggression. The original ACME bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling structure (i.e., the three empathy dimensions of Cognitive, Affective Resonance, and Affective Dissonance with positive and negative wording items as method bifactors) was successfully reproduced with the French version. Furthermore, these scales displayed satisfying internal consistency coefficients, as well as good item properties according to Classical Test Theory. Convergent validity indices were also similar to those reported for the original English version, and scale scores reached full invariance across gender and proved to be partially invariant across language when comparing the present data to those from the original validation study. The French version of the ACME is well aligned with the original English version and offers a valuable alternative to French researchers and clinicians interested in measuring the various dimensions of empathy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).