Measurement Invariance Research Articles

Psychometric properties of the flourishing scale in Italian adolescents

ABSTRACT Flourishing in adolescence is a crucial aspect of psychological development, encompassing well-being and effective functioning. Flourishing refers to the good life, feeling good, and effectively performing human actions. The Flourishing Scale (FS) is a brief measure of self-perceived success concerning relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism. This was the first study to assess the psychometric properties of the FS in a sample of 291 Italian adolescents (M = 16.47 years, SD = 1.65; 39.86% male). The results confirmed the one-dimensional structure of the FS. Reliability was good, and measurement invariance between sex and age groups was established. There were no sex or age differences in flourishing. The latter correlated positively with life satisfaction and negatively with rumination and depression. These results suggest that the FS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing flourishing among Italian adolescents.

Investigating the Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale in Veteran Men and Women

Investigating the Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale in Veteran Men and Women

Supplemental Material for The Index of Consensual Sexual Sadism (ICSS): Scale Development, Validation, Measurement Invariance, and Nomological Network Comparisons With Everyday Sadism

Supplemental Material for The Index of Consensual Sexual Sadism (ICSS): Scale Development, Validation, Measurement Invariance, and Nomological Network Comparisons With Everyday Sadism

Mothers' and Fathers' Experiences of Family Relations and Parenting During the First Year of Parenthood.

The first year of parenthood is considered to be a challenging period, associated with the transformation of family relations. The links between family relations and parenting are widely studied. However, in most research only a limited number of indicators is investigated, and there is a lack of data on the agreement between mothers' and fathers' evaluations of family relations. The aims of the present study were to explore (1) the structure and measurement invariance of marital relations and parenting constructs for mothers and fathers; (2) the associations among the measures of marital relations and parenting in mothers and fathers; (3) the agreement between mothers and fathers in their perception of marital relations, as well as cross-parent cross-measure associations of marital relations and self-rated parenting; (4) average differences between the parents in their perception of marital relations and parenting. The data from 352 Russian-speaking married couples participating in the Wave 3 of the Prospective Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study (PLIS) were collected when the children were 9 months old. Seven measures of family relations (marital relations, grandparents' support) and nine measures of parenting were obtained. The statistical analyses included the exploratory factor analysis, assessment of measurement invariance, comparative and correlational analysis. The result showed that measures were organised into coherent factor-based groupings: (1) marital relations, (2) support from grandparents, (3) childcare and affection, and (4) harsh parental discipline. Six of 12 measures showed partial scalar invariance between mothers and fathers. Moderate within-measure correlations were observed between mothers' and fathers' assessments of family relations; and weak correlations-for parenting. Mother-father cross-measure correlations were moderate for family relations, but negligible for parenting. Small to moderate average differences between mothers and fathers were found for all measures. The results highlight the need to consider similarities and differences between mothers' and fathers' experiences in future research and practice.

Supplemental Material for Establishing Measurement Equivalence of a Youth-Reported Parental Monitoring Measure Across Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Intersectional Identity

Supplemental Material for Establishing Measurement Equivalence of a Youth-Reported Parental Monitoring Measure Across Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Intersectional Identity

Psychometric properties of the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in adolescent and young adult psychiatric outpatients in the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN).

This study assessed the psychometric properties of the 10-item Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), a self-report measure of resilience, in youth receiving treatment and/or screening positive for depression/suicidality in psychiatric outpatient settings. Data from 908 youth (age 12-20 years) were analyzed. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model was fit to the data, and goodness-of-fit was assessed using indices such as the comparative fit index (CFI). Psychometric analyses were performed through the lenses of classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). Measurement invariance of the scale was assessed by classifying the sample by depression severity. Finally, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) from test-retest were used to assess the reliability of the scale using data collected at baseline and one-month post-baseline. The scale was unidimensional, representing a single latent trait. CFA demonstrated acceptable model fit (CFI = 0.94). CTT analyses showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.85) and good item discrimination (item-total correlations between 0.38 and 0.66). The scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability over a one-month period (ICC = 0.82). IRT analyses exhibited good item performance on all but the three items related to versatility, humor and persistence. These items were also deterrent to the scale having full scalar invariance. Limitations include questionable generalizability beyond the sample and biases inherent in self-report scales. CD-RISC-10 has acceptable reliability and validity. However, depressive symptom severity affected selected item performance. If these findings are confirmed in other independent samples, a seven-item version of the scale may be investigated for depressed samples.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) across parents and teachers in Portuguese children

ABSTRACT The Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI) is a rating scale that evaluates everyday behaviors associated with executive functions in children. This study aimed to investigate the factor structure and the measurement invariance across parents and teachers of the CHEXI in a sample of 279 Portuguese typically developing children (6 to 12 years old, n = 160 girls and n = 119 boys). Most studies only analyzed the original two-factor model, and the few that investigated the four-factor model found a nearly identical fit between both factor structures. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test five competing factor models and the four-factor models (slightly better than the two-factor model) demonstrated the most adequate fit to the data for both parents and teachers. The CHEXI showed adequate reliability and convergent validity with the BRIEF2. The measurement invariance of the four-factor model across parents and teachers was fully supported (configural, metric, and scalar invariance). Overall, the CHEXI showed adequate psychometric properties, suggesting that is a useful instrument to assess executive functioning based on reports of behaviors observed by parents and teachers in Portuguese typically developing children.

Development of a short version of the perceived social support scale: based on classical test theory and ant colony optimization

BackgroundDespite the relatively small number of items on the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS-12), there has been a trend toward simplification of the scale in order to minimize testing time. In this situation, some researchers based on the responses of military spouses in the U.S., has simplified the PSSS-12 to develop the PSSS-M6. This study aimed to develop a short version of the PSSS-12 suitable for the Chinese general population.MethodsA multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was employed to collect data from 10,914 residents in 120 cities across the country. After randomly dividing the data into two parts, exploratory analysis and confirmatory analysis were conducted separately. During the exploratory analysis of dataset 1, the scale was simplified using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and the Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), resulting in one short form for each approach. Additionally, three short forms were obtained by introducing other short forms of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) scale derived from multidimensional item response theory in previous studies. The reliability and discriminant validity of the three short forms were tested. Subsequently, the reliability, validity, model fit and measurement invariance for the two short forms of the MSPSS scale were examined using dataset 2.ResultsThe 6-item short form developed based on the ACO (PSSS-A6) exhibited the best psychometric properties among all the short forms. Moreover, the 3-item short form composed of items with the highest factor loadings in each dimension also demonstrated good psychometric properties.ConclusionsIn future research, if a short form of the MSPSS scale is needed for measurement purposes, the 3-item short form is suitable for clinical settings, large-scale cross-sectional studies, or longitudinal studies, while the PSSS-A6 is more appropriate for more precise measurements.Trial registrationThis study underwent ethical review (JNUKY-2021-018) by Jinan University.

Measurement Invariance on the Nine-Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen (NIAS) by Age and Reporter Status: Comparing ARFID Symptoms Among Self-Reporting Adults and Adolescents and Parent Reports of Children and Adolescents.

Self-report measures of ARFID symptoms (e.g., Nine-Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen [NIAS]) are used to assess symptom differences between groups. Measurement invariance techniques clarify if groups interpret a measure similarly, providing a foundation for examining group differences. Considering age and reporter status (e.g., parent vs. self-report), we investigated measurement invariance of the NIAS in (1) self-reporting adults vs. adolescents; (2) parent reports on children vs. adolescents; and (3) parent reports on adolescents vs.adolescent self-report. If measurement invariance was supported, we examined symptom differences. Data were from the ARFID Genes and Environment (ARFID-GEN) project. Self-reporting adults vs. adolescents and parent reports of adolescents vs. adolescent self-report interpreted the NIAS similarly (measurement invariance was supported). Measurement invariance was not supported in parent reports on children vs. adolescents. Self-reporting adults reported higher appetite scores (i.e., lower appetite) than self-reporting adolescents at the subscale and item level on the NIAS. Although no subscales differences were identified between parent reports on adolescents and adolescent self-reports, parents reported more picky eating and lower appetite in adolescents than self-reporting adolescents at the item level on the NIAS. Findings support using the NIAS to measure symptom differences in self-reporting adults vs. adolescents and in parent reports of adolescents vs. adolescent self-reports. Findings may be leveraged by researchers interested in maturational effects of ARFID symptoms in adolescents and adults via self-reports on the NIAS and clinicians interested in tracking the convergence of parent and adolescent NIAS reports while undergoing treatment for ARFID.

Psychometric validation of the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) and Oxford Hip Score (OHS) in patients with hip-abductor tendon pathology

ObjectiveValidated patient-reported outcome measures for patients with hip-abductor tendon pathology are lacking. Recent studies indicate that the Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), in the original or the revised...

Validation of the Arabic Version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-HSS Among Tunisian Medical Residents (A-MBI-MR): Factor Structure, Construct Validity, Reliability, and Gender Invariance.

Background: Burnout is a major problem for physical and mental health of medical residents. The key for maintaining well-being and quality of care of residents is the assessing tool. The study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) among Tunisian medical residents by assessing its factor structure, construct validity, reliability, and gender invariance. Methods: A total of 552 residents, aged 27.01 ± 1.92, 219 males (39.7%) and 333 females (60.3%) completed the Arabic version of the A-MBI-MR. The exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor (CFA) analyses were performed to identify the factor structure, with assessments of internal consistency of the model, including gender measurement invariance. Results: The results indicate a high average variance extracted (AVE > 0.50) and factor loading of the scale, signifying robust construct validity and clearly suggesting that the items serve as essential indicators for assessing several dimensions of burnout. The reliability analysis demonstrates excellent and acceptable internal consistency across all areas of emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization (Cronbach's α = 0.95, 0.98, and 0.871) respectively. The CFA confirmed the three-factor structure of the A-MBI-MR, with fit indices indicating an adequate model fit: CFI = 0.945, TLI = 0.938, GFI = 0.951, RMSEA = 0.074, RMSEA CI (0.066, 0.081), RMSEA p-value= 0.000, SRMR = 0.044. Results from the measurement invariance analysis of the MBI scale demonstrated robust invariance between male and female participants. Conclusions: The MBI-MR in Arabic for medical residents is reliable, valid, and effective for measuring burnout levels in Arabic-speaking regions.

Factor structure and longitudinal measurement invariance of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale during the whole perinatal period: a multicenter cohort study in China

BackgroundPerinatal depression is common worldwide, which can cause many adverse effects on the physical and mental health of the mother and baby, as well as the whole family. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is an efficient and effective instrument for perinatal depression. However, few studies have examined its longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI) during the whole perinatal period, which is particularly important in longitudinal studies, such as exploring developmental trajectories of perinatal depression and evaluating the effects of certain interventions.Methods4139 pregnant women from 24 hospitals in 15 provinces of China were measured using EPDS in the first, second, third trimesters and 6 weeks postpartum. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to explore the factor structure of EPDS at each time point. Multi-group analyses were performed to examine LMI of EPDS.ResultsA three-factor model was optimal at all time points, showing the clearest factor structure and best model fit: Anhedonia (Items 1–2), Anxiety (Items 3–6), Depression (Items 7–10). Internal reliability of EPDS was good at all time points (e.g., Cronbach’s α > 0.80). A series of multi-group analyses further indicated that the EPDS held strict LMI (configural, metric, scalar and strict invariance) during the perinatal period.ConclusionThe findings further confirmed three-factor structure and good reliability of the EPDS when used in Chinese pregnant and postpartum women. The LMI justified comparisons of EPDS scores among different measurement time points.

Disentangling the Pros and Cons of Flexible Work Arrangements: Curvilinear Effects on Individual and Organizational Outcomes

The use of flexible work arrangements (e.g., remote, hybrid) has spread during the pandemic and cumulative studies provide mixed findings on the positive vs. negative consequences of these working methods for employees and organizations. The present study examined the potentially curvilinear effects of employees’ attitude towards flexible work options (i.e., flexible work orientation; FWO) on individual- (i.e., performance, job satisfaction, stress, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict) and organization-related outcomes (i.e., organizational social support, organizational justice, affective organizational commitment). Anonymous survey data were collected in 2021 from 1061 in-person and flexible workers nested within 100 Italian organizations. Measurement invariance across the two subsamples was supported and subsequent structural model analyses suggested a differential pattern of results for in-person and flexible workers. Results indicated a curvilinear U-shaped relationship between FWO and organizational support, justice, commitment and job satisfaction for the in-person subsample as compared to a positive linear relationship for flexible workers. Moreover, in both samples of flexible and in-presence workers, FWO exerted a positive linear effect on performance and a mainly negative linear effect on stress, WFC and FWC. Overall, flexible workers displayed linear relationships among all the study variables, whereas in-person workers showed the curvilinear effects of FWO on support, justice, commitment and satisfaction, all of which increased at high levels of employees’ positive attitude towards FWO. Results are discussed in light of the globally elevated rates of flexible work arrangements and mixed findings on their implementation.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Parental Monitoring Short Scale

Psychometric properties of a revised version of a previously developed parental monitoring measure were examined. Previously, Stattin and Kerr developed an expanded measure of parental monitoring that included sources of parental knowledge. Their scales were shortened and simplified for reading ability and brevity. Data were obtained from 41 schools surveyed during the 2018 and 2019 school years. The schools were part of an ongoing study (Our Youth, Our Future) of substance use among American Indian students who attend schools on or near reservations. Students who self-identify as American Indian ( n = 3,673) or White ( n = 903) completed online surveys that included nine items related to sources of parental knowledge (parental control, child disclosure/parental solicitation) and four items that measure parental knowledge. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, tests of measurement invariance, and correlations between latent means and correlations with substance use measures were used to assess the scale. Factor analysis results confirmed a three-factor solution. These three factors (parental knowledge, parental control, parental solicitation/child disclosure) exhibited measurement invariance across sex, grade level, and ethnicity. Factor scales were reliable and negatively related to substance use. This revised scale of parental monitoring provides a useful measure to assess this construct across subgroups of youths. Further work among other ethnic groups of youths will determine the scale’s breadth of utility. The revised scale with improved readability will allow researchers to more quickly assess this important parent–child measure.

Semileptonic decay of the triply heavy Ωccb to the observed Ξcc++ state

We investigate the weak semileptonic decay of the Ωccb+→Ξcc++ℓν¯ℓ, where a triply heavy baryon with spin 1/2 decays into the observed doubly heavy baryon with spin 1/2, using quantum chromodynamics (QCD) sum rule method in all lepton channels. We compute the six relevant vector and axial vector form factors entering the low energy matrix elements in full theory. The invariant form factors are building blocks, using the fit faction of which in terms of q2 in whole physical region, we calculate the exclusive widths in three lepton channels. Our predictions may help the present and future experiments in the course of their search for doubly and triply heavy baryons. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Applying the online language learners' characteristics model in connection with various personality traits: A latent profile analysis

AbstractConstructing personalised and effective online language learning models based on individual personality differences is crucial in the field of education. However, there is little research on how to apply these models to students in science and engineering who have varying personality profiles. This study aimed to assess the validity of the Online Language Learners' Characteristics Model Questionnaire and investigate how its structure and performance differ among individuals with different personality traits. A total of 1015 college students completed a pen‐and‐paper questionnaire in online classes. The results showed that online characteristics were explained by a five‐factor model consisting of language learning strategy, attitude, motivation, causal attribution, and self‐efficacy. A latent profile analysis was conducted to identify four distinct personality profiles. Measurement invariance and differences in characteristics among the four personality types were examined. Our findings offer initial evidence of the specific connections between personality traits and online language learning characteristics at the individual level.

Changes in life satisfaction over six years in the general population: A longitudinal study with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS).

Satisfaction with life is a key concept for most individuals. The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) for measuring general life satisfaction has been widely analyzed in terms of cross-sectional associations. However, the knowledge about long-term changes in life satisfaction and the associations between such changes and changes in other variables of physical and mental health is limited. A community-based representative sample of the general population has been examined twice with a time interval of six years (n = 4,999), using the SWLS and several other scales. Over the six years, the mean SWLS score of the total sample remained nearly unchanged (M = 27.0, SD = 5.2, both at t1 and at t2). The test-retest correlation was rtt = 0.66 for the total sample, and there were only marginal differences in temporal stability between male and female respondents. Changes in the SWLS over the six years were correlated with changes in optimism (r = 0.23), mental health (r = 0.26), social functioning (r = 0.22), perceived social support (r = 0.21), anxiety (r = -0.30), and physical complaints (r = -0.18). These change score correlations were lower than the corresponding coefficients under the cross-sectional perspective. Measurement invariance across sex, age, and time was established. The SWLS proved to be an appropriate tool for assessing changes in life satisfaction, and correlations between change scores of life satisfaction and health-related variables complement the knowledge about these associations from a cross-sectional perspective.

Psychometric properties of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) in adult Mexican cancer patients with chronic pain.

Pain is a frequent symptom in cancer patients (CP), and its multidimensional assessment is essential for a comprehensive approach and to establish clinical prognoses. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) is an internationally recognized tool for the multidimensional assessment of pain, both in clinical and research settings. However, no studies have been reported in Latin America that determine its psychometric properties in CP and chronic pain. To determine the psychometric properties of the SF-MPQ in adult Mexican cancer patients with chronic pain. An instrumental design was used with a non-probabilistic convenience sample of 222 cancer patients treated at the pain clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Analyses were conducted to evaluate factorial structure (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]), reliability (internal consistency), measurement invariance, and criterion validity (concurrent and divergent). CFA verified a 9-item structure divided into 2 factors: (1) Affective-Nociceptive and (2) Neuropathic. A global Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .82 and a global McDonald's Omega index of .82 were identified. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance (ΔCFI ≤ .01; ΔRMSEA ≤ .015) were confirmed regarding the sex variable. Finally, the SF-MPQ showed a positive correlation with the Numerical Rating Scale (rho = .436, p< .01) and a negative correlation with the EORTC-QLQ C30 (rho = -.396, p< .01). The Mexican version of the SF-MPQ presented adequate psychometric properties and fit indices, making it a valid and reliable instrument for use in clinical and research settings in Mexico. Its use is recommended for the comprehensive assessment of pain in oncology in Mexico, as it allows for the understanding of pain characteristics beyond intensity, guiding the establishment of clinical prognoses.

Assessing the Measurement Properties of the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 Using the COSMIN Methodology-A Systematic Review.

This study aimed to systematically review the measurement properties of the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 (TGMD-3) using the COSMIN methodology. A search of four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL) identified 23 relevant studies. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the COSMIN risk of bias checklist; the measurement properties of the TGMD-3 were evaluated by the COSMIN quality criteria; and the quality of the evidence was rated using a modified GRADE approach. The findings indicated that the test-retest, inter-rater, and intra-rater reliability, as well as measurement invariance and part content validity (relevance and comprehensibility), were sufficient, supported by high-quality evidence. The bifactor structure was found to be a more appropriate model for the TGMD-3, with structural validity and internal consistency rated as sufficient, though based on moderate-quality evidence. However, hypothesis testing for construct validity produced inconsistent results, also supported by moderate-quality evidence. Responsiveness was rated as inconsistent, based on low-quality evidence. Overall, the TGMD-3 is graded as "B", meaning it has the potential to be recommended, but further research is needed to fully establish its measurement properties. Future studies should focus on verifying the comprehensiveness of items of the TGMD-3 to optimise its application.

Measurement invariance of the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale–Short Form across Scottish and Australian adults living with severe and enduring mental illness.

Measurement invariance of the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale–Short Form across Scottish and Australian adults living with severe and enduring mental illness.