Meta-analytic Structural Equation Modeling Research Articles

Detecting causal relationships between work motivation and job performance: a meta-analytic review of cross-lagged studies

Given that competing hypotheses about the causal relationship between work motivation and job performance exist, the current research utilized meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) methodology to detect the causal relationships between work motivation and job performance. In particular, completing hypotheses were checked by applying longitudinal data that include 84 correlations (n = 4389) from 11 independent studies measuring both work motivation and job performance over two waves. We find that the effect of motivation (T1) on performance (T2), with performance (T1) controlled, was positive and significant (β = 0.143). However, the effect of performance (T1) on motivation (T2), with motivation (T1) controlled, was not significant. These findings remain stable and robust across different measures of job performance (task performance versus organizational citizenship behavior), different measures of work motivation (engagement versus other motivations), and different time lags (1–6 months versus 7–12 months), suggesting that work motivation is more likely to cause job performance than vice versa. Practical and theoretical contributions are discussed.

A meta-analysis of tourists’ destination visits and theory of planned behavior: the moderating roles of destination scale and cultural difference

ABSTRACT The literature has explored what motivates tourists to visit a place, but there has not been much work done to compile and synthesize the results of empirical investigations. This study meta-analytically reviews extant research in tourists’ destination visits and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) exploring the moderating roles of destination scale (large versus small) and cultural difference (Eastern versus Western). Using 99 individual samples (N = 46,307) with a series of meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM), this study demonstrated that the predictive power of TPB for tourists’ destination visits varies given the differences in destination scale and culture. There is a discussion of the findings’ significance for researchers and practitioners in the tourism field.

A comparison of univariate and meta-analytic structural equation modeling approaches to reliability generalization applied to the Maslach Burnout Inventory

IntroductionReliability is a property of tests scores that varies from sample to sample. One way of generalizing reliability of a test is to perform a meta-analysis on some reliability estimator. In 2011, a reliability generalization meta-analysis on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was conducted, concluding that average alpha values for the MBI dimensions ranged from 0.71 to 0.88. In the present study, we aimed to update the average reliability values of the MBI by conducting a literature search from 2010 until now and comparing to statistical procedures of meta-analysis: the Univariate approach, that were used in the previous study, and a novel meta-analytic approach based on structural equation modeling.MethodAn estimation of average reliability was done based on 69 independent primary reliability coefficients for the Univariate approach. The average reliability was based on 9 independent studies in the case of the Meta-analytic Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM) approach. Given that MASEM has the additional capability of testing the internal structure of a test, we also fitted several models.ResultsThe data was well-suited to the bifactor model, revealing the dominance of the general factor over the domain-specific ones. Acceptable overall alpha and omega coefficients were achieved for the two of the MBI dimensions, having depersonalization reliability estimates below recommendations.DiscussionIn general, the MBI can be viewed as a highly interconnected three-factor scale, being its appropriate for research purposes.

How can we further explore the link between self-criticism and self-compassion, and disordered eating? Commentary on Paranjothy and Wade's (2024).

Paranjothy and Wade's (2024, A meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion. International Journal of Eating Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.24166) systematic review and meta-analysis of disordered eating and its association with self-criticism and self-compassion provides a valuable synthesis of 135 studies. They found that greater levels of self-criticism and increased disordered eating were associated with lower levels of self-compassion. These findings highlight the importance of further investigating the complex relationship between these variables to inform effective interventions. This commentary explores what the findings of Paranjothy and Wade (2024) tell us and how we can use their findings to address unresolved problems. I will focus on two primary areas in this commentary: (1) the specificity of self-criticism and (2) how we could use existing data to enhance the understanding of the etiology and maintenance of disordered eating in relation to self-criticism and self-compassion to conduct further research. This commentary argues that there is a need for refinement of the self-criticism construct (e.g., through qualitative research) to understand how self-criticism varies across different individuals and cultures, particularly for under-researched populations. I recommend further research using meta-analytic structural equation modeling to test different theoretical models to pin down how self-criticism and self-compassion function as mechanisms of change in disordered eating.

Examining the linkage between managerial ties and firm performance: The mediating role of marketing capabilities and moderation role of industry - A meta-analytic approach

This paper investigates the relationship between managerial ties (business and political ties) and firm performance (operational performance and innovation). We consider marketing capabilities as a mediating variable to analyze how it mediates the relationship between managerial ties and firm performance. Previous studies have often taken a piecemeal approach to examining the ties-performance linkage and have been limited by sample size. We use a meta-analytic structural equation modeling (meta-SEM) approach to analyze the proposed relationship. We consider 281 studies assessing 943,331 effect sizes to analyze the results. To investigate the relationship, we consider social exchange and resource-based theory. The results suggest that business (political) ties are positively (negatively) associated with operational performance, while both business and political ties are positively associated with innovation. Further, our result suggests that (a) approximately 14.2% of the effect of business ties on innovation is mediated by marketing capabilities and (b) industry type moderates the relationship between ties and performance. This study helps managers leverage managerial ties to improve firm performance and further suggests a proper mechanism through which firms can improve performance.

Tourist engagement: Toward an integrated framework using meta-analysis

Tourist engagement (TE) has gained prominence in academia and industry. While previous studies have focused on exploring TE in tourism and hospitality, no consolidated empirical study has been conducted. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis using data from 73 independent studies retrieved from 72 papers, with a total sample size of 41,757. Our analysis, using meta-analytic structural equation modelling, tested a conceptual framework and found that tourist experience and TE individually mediate tourists’ satisfaction, emotion, behavioral intention, and loyalty. Additionally, cultural (e.g., power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, indulgence) and economic (e.g., human development index) moderators influence TE. Our findings also suggest that popular global destinations enhance the relationship between tourist experience, engagement, and behavioral intention.

Robust evidence for the simple view of second language reading: Secondary meta-analysis of Jeon and Yamashita (2022)

Abstract This paper reports a complete secondary analysis of Jeon and Yamashita’s (2022) systematic review to build the second language (L2) model of the simple view of reading (SVR). The same meta-analytic methodologies were maintained, with the exception of applying meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM). This study successfully replicated some of the aggregated correlations but not others, owing to (a) the recoding of the original raw data to recreate a dataset and (b) the motivated change in sample selection from a longitudinal study for MASEM. The MASEM results extended previous findings that L2 comprehension skills contribute more to L2 reading comprehension than L2 decoding skills, and together explain a large amount of variance in L2 reading comprehension. The SVR model with metalinguistic skills showed their contribution to L2 decoding and comprehension skills, but no direct impact on L2 reading comprehension, supporting the parsimonious structure of SVR in L2.

The relation between number line performance and mathematics outcomes: Two meta-analyses.

Understanding the magnitudes represented by numerals is a core component of early mathematical development and is often assessed by accuracy in situating numerals and fractions on a number line. Performance on these measures is consistently related to performance in other mathematics domains, but the strength of these relations may be overestimated because general cognitive ability has not been fully controlled in prior studies. The first of two meta-analyses (162 studies, 33,101 participants) confirmed a relation between performance on whole number (r = 0.33) and fractions number (r = 0.41) lines and overall mathematics performance. These relations were generally consistent across content domains (e.g., algebra and computation) and other moderators. The second (71 studies, 14,543 participants) used meta-analytic structural equation modeling to confirm these relations while controlling general cognitive ability (defined by IQ and working memory measures) and, in one analysis, general mathematics competence. The relation between number line performance and general mathematics competence remained significant but reduced (β = 0.13). Controlling general cognitive ability, whole number line performance consistently predicted competence with fractions but not performance on numeracy or computations measures. The results suggest an understanding of the magnitudes represented by whole numbers might be particularly important for students' fractions learning. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Two meta-analyses examined the link between the number line and mathematics performance. The first revealed significant relations across domains (e.g., algebra and computation). The second controlled for general cognitive ability and resulted in reduced but still significant relations. The relation between number line and fractions performance was stronger than relations to other domains.

Emotion malleability beliefs matter in emotion regulation: a comprehensive review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Individuals’ beliefs about the malleability of emotions have been theorised to play a role in their psychological distress by influencing emotion regulation processes, such as the use of emotion regulation strategies. We conducted a meta-analysis to test this idea across studies with a focus on the relationships between emotion malleability beliefs and five distinct emotion regulation strategies: cognitive reappraisal, suppression, avoidance, rumination, and acceptance. Further, using two-stage meta-analytic structural equation modelling (TSSEM), we examined whether the emotion regulation strategies mediate the cross-sectional relationship between emotion malleability beliefs and psychological distress across studies. Thirty-seven studies were included in the meta-analyses and 55 cross-sectional studies were included in the TSSEM. Results demonstrated that, across studies, emotion malleability beliefs were significantly associated with greater use of putatively helpful strategies (particularly with cognitive reappraisal) and less use of putatively unhelpful strategies (particularly with avoidance). The use of cognitive reappraisal and avoidance partially mediated the relationship between emotion malleability beliefs and psychological distress. These results highlight the importance of considering beliefs about the malleability of emotions in the context of emotion regulation. These findings suggest the potential role of emotion malleability beliefs in interventions for individuals with emotion regulation-related difficulties and psychological distress.

Short-Scale Construction Using Meta-Analytic Ant Colony Optimization

Abstract: The Need for Cognition Scale (NCS) is a self-report scale measuring individual differences in the tendency to engage in and enjoy thinking. The shortened version with 18 items (NCS-18; Cacioppo et al., 1984 ) has widely been administered in research on persuasion, critical thinking, and educational achievement. Whereas most studies advocated for essential uni-dimensionality, the question remains which psychometric model yields the best representation of the NCS-18. In the present study, we compared six competing measurement models for the NCS-18 with meta-analytic structural equation models using summary data of 87 samples ( N = 90,215). Results demonstrated that the negatively worded items introduced considerable measurement bias that was best accounted for with an acquiescence model. In a further analytical step, we showcased how the pooled correlation matrix can be used to compile short versions of the NCS-18 via Ant Colony Optimization. We examined model fit and reliability of short scales with varying item numbers (between 4 and 15) and a balanced ratio of positively and negatively worded items. We discuss the potentials and limits of the newly proposed method.

A Reliability Generalization of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural

Abstract: The Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural (TTCT-F) is a well-known measure of creativity, yet its reliability evidence is hardly reported. In this meta-analysis, we provide such evidence by performing parameter-based meta-analytic structural equation modeling on empirical studies that reported the correlations among the TTCT-F indices. Examining the factor structure of the TTCT-F showed that a two-factor structure (Innovative and Adaptive) fitted the primary study data better than a previously assumed single-factor structure. We conducted a reliability generalization study with a sample of 44 correlation matrices from 38 studies ( N = 13,108). We obtained McDonald’s Omega coefficients for the two factors and the composite reliability. Our analyses indicated that the composite reliability was acceptable (ω = .81). Furthermore, we found higher reliability coefficients for the Innovative (INNOV) factor (ω = .85) as compared to the Adaptive (ADAPT) factor (ω = .62). Moderator analyses showed that reliability estimates for the INNOV factor were higher with Form A and when there is evidence of discriminant evidence violation. Between the two forms, Form A had higher reliability estimates than Form B. Our findings suggest that composite scores and INNOV scores are more precise than the ADAPT factor scores, supporting their use in research and practical settings.

A meta-analytic review of family supportive supervisor behaviors (FSSBs): Work-family related antecedents, outcomes, and a theory-driven comparison of two mediating mechanisms

This quantitative review systematically integrates the antecedents and outcomes of Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors (FSSBs) through bivariate meta-analysis and meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM). Utilizing data from 231 primary studies, which are drawn from 213 sources (N = 118, 100), we examined a set of hypotheses exploring the antecedents and consequences of FSSBs. We also conducted a comparative analysis of the explanatory power of two theoretical perspectives: the resource-based view (operationalized as work-family conflict and work-family enrichment) and the social-exchange perspective (operationalized as leader-member exchange relationship). Our results showed that the social-exchange perspective accounted for a greater proportion of FSSBs' impacts on work outcomes (i.e., in-role performance, and job satisfaction), while the resource-based perspective predominantly elucidates FSSBs' influence on employee wellbeing (i.e., burnout). In doing this, we unveiled nuanced insights into the nomological network surrounding FSSBs. Based on these results, we develop a future map for this growing body of research.

Morphological assessment features and their relations to reading: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling study

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful units of language (e.g., affixes, base words) that express grammatical and semantic information. Additionally, morphological knowledge is significantly related to children's word reading and reading comprehension skills. Researchers have broadly assessed morphological knowledge by using a wide range of tasks and stimuli, which has influenced the interpretation of the relations between morphological knowledge and reading outcomes. This review of 103 studies used meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) to investigate the relations between commonly occurring morphological knowledge assessment features (e.g., written versus oral, spelling versus no spelling) in the literature to reading outcomes, including word reading and reading comprehension. Meta-regression techniques were used to examine moderators of age and reading ability. Morphological assessments that used a written modality (e.g., reading, writing) were more predictive of word reading outcomes than those administered orally. Assessments of morphological spelling were more predictive of both word reading and reading comprehension outcomes than those that did not examine spelling accuracy. Age was a significant moderator of the relation between morphology and word reading, such that the relation was stronger for the younger than the older children. Younger children also demonstrated higher relations between multiple task dimensions and reading comprehension, including oral tasks, tasks without decoding, and tasks that provided context clues. These findings have important implications for future morphological intervention studies aimed to improve children's reading outcomes, in particular the use of orthography and spelling within the context of teaching morphology.

A meta-model of customer brand loyalty and its antecedents

This research consolidates existing knowledge about customer brand loyalty and its antecedents by developing and empirically validating an integrative meta-model. First, with a grounded theory literature review of 199 prior studies, the authors identify 275 antecedents of loyalty that they aggregate into four meta-concepts: (1) brand offer, (2) consumer–brand alignment, (3) brand experience, and (4) consumer–brand bonding. Second, the authors theoretically derive four alternative models that describe the interrelations of these meta-concepts and loyalty and empirically identify the most suitable one, using meta-analytical structural equation modeling. The findings, based on 1,261 effect sizes from 557 studies, provide support for a two-stage process, in which brand experience and consumer–brand bonding have direct effects on loyalty and mediate the effects of brand offer and consumer–brand alignment that precede them. The meta-model and associated empirical generalizations lay a robust, consolidated foundation for continued efforts to understand how to create and nurture loyalty.

Handling dependent samples in meta-analytic structural equation models: A Wishart-based approach.

We present an approach to meta-analytic structural equation models that relies on hierarchical modeling of sample covariance matrices under the assumption that the matrices are Wishart. The approach handles the commonplace fixed- and random-effects meta-analytic SEMs, and solves the problem of dependent covariance matrices where more than one covariance matrix is obtained from a single study or study author. The ability of the approach to adequately recover parameters is examined via a simulation study. The approach is implemented in the bayesianmasem R package and a demonstration shows applications of the model.

Enhancing the Combined-TAM-TPB model with trust in the sharing economy context: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach

The theories and constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the technology acceptance model (TAM), and trust are all widely discussed in research on the sharing economy. Previous empirical research, however, has yielded inconsistent results about the degree of association in the aforementioned theoretically covered constructs. This study used an integrated model that included the TAM, TPB, and trust to investigate factors that primarily influence participation intention in the sharing economy. A meta-analysis of 146 studies was conducted to summarize effect sizes for 12 pairs of relationships. The findings demonstrate a high positive correlation for each relationship in the model. Then, meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) was used to test the original, the extended Combined-TAM-TPB (C-TAM-TPB), and the extended C-TAM-TPB with trust model (trust-enhanced extended model). The findings indicate that the trust-enhanced extended model has the best explanatory power for the behavioral intention in the sharing economy. We also examined the moderating effects of platform type and economic development level to discover the sources of the inconsistent outcomes of previous studies. The findings show that each relationship varies significantly across platform types, and most relationships are higher in the accommodation-sharing scenario. Besides, the results of the moderating effect of economic development level demonstrate that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have a stronger influence on attitude in developed countries. Still, trust has a larger effect on behavioral intention in developing countries.

You get us, so you like us: Feeling understood by an outgroup predicts more positive intergroup relations via perceived positive regard.

Intergroup felt understanding-the belief that outgroup members understand and accept ingroup perspectives-has been found to predict positive intergroup outcomes, but the mechanism through which it has its positive effects is unclear. Across eight studies, we tested the hypothesis that felt positive regard-the perception that outgroup members like and respect ingroup members-mediates the positive effects of felt understanding on outcomes like outgroup trust. Studies 1-6 (total N = 1,366) included cross-sectional and experimental designs and a range of intergroup settings such as Sunni-Shia relations in Lebanon, gender relations, and support for "Brexit" in the United Kingdom. Results of meta-analytic structural equation models across these studies provided evidence of the indirect effect of felt understanding via felt positive regard on outcomes including trust and positive relational emotions. Study 7 (N = 307) then tested the causal effect of felt positive regard through a direct manipulation. Findings confirmed that felt positive (vs. negative) regard did lead to more positive intergroup perceptions. Finally, Study 8 (N = 410) tested the indirect effect as a within-person change process using a year-long, two-wave study of the conflict in Chile between Indigenous Mapuche and Non-Indigenous Chileans: Change over time in felt understanding indirectly predicted change over time in trust via change in felt positive regard. We consider the theoretical implications of the findings for how intergroup relations may be improved and the possibilities presented by felt understanding for intervention development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

How Collective Efficacy Mediates the Association between Principal Instructional Leadership and Teacher Self-Efficacy: Findings from a Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM) Study.

Principal instructional leadership (PIL) is significant for school effectiveness due to its direct and indirect influences on school-, teacher-, and student-level variables. A considerable number of studies have provided persuasive evidence that PIL is associated with both collective efficacy (CEF) and teacher self-efficacy (TSEF), two significant variables to sustain the quality of instruction. These studies were conducted with a variety of participants from various contexts. The current study aims to investigate the association between PIL and TSEF, and the mediating role of CEF in this association using meta-analytical structural equation modeling (MASEM). This analysis was conducted using the correlation values obtained from 26 studies focusing on their relationship and included data from a population of 19.584 participants from around the world, thus providing a more generalizable perspective on these variables. The results indicated that PIL was correlated with both CEF and TSEF, and the combined influence of PIL and CEF on TSEF was 31%. The study findings also showed that the scales used to measure PIL could produce different results regarding these relationships, while gender did not have a significant effect. These results suggest significant implications for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to sustain school effectiveness in the fast-changing context of schools in the twenty-first century.

Meta-analytic factor analysis of the UCLA loneliness scale

AbstractThe UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Loneliness Scale is frequently employed instrument for assessing the structure of loneliness in psychology studies. Although many studies have tested the scale’s factor structure, the literature has produced inconsistent findings or different results. Some studies support a unidimensional structure, while other studies support a multidimensional structure including two-factor, three-factor, five-factor models. Moreover, these dimensions are denoted differently across studies. Hence, this study employs meta-analytical structural equation modeling (MASEM) to investigate the factor structure of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, MASEM provides more precise parameter estimations than conventional structural equation modeling and allows for the synthesis of conflicting findings concerning factor structure. Furthermore, MASEM provides an examination of the factor structure by utilizing correlation matrices from studies in which the scale has been employed but without a specific examination of its factor structures. Consequently, this study analyzed the correlation matrices from 52 studies encompassing 52 correlation matrices. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that the two-factor and second-order three-factor models provided the best fit for the pooled correlation matrix. Even when considering subgroup analyses based on sample size and sample age, which are possible variables that can explain heterogeneity, the three-factor structure of the scale remained consistent. This suggests that different variables may account for the observed heterogeneity.

A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of Entrepreneurial Personality

Abstract Entrepreneurial Personality (EP) is a collection of personality traits that broadly and strongly relate to entrepreneurial outcomes across most contexts. The goal of the current article is to address present uncertainties surrounding EP by identifying its dimensions and assessing their relations with entrepreneurial outcomes. Our systematic literature review demonstrates that seven dimensions are commonly used to represent EP: innovativeness, risk-taking, achievement orientation, locus of control, proactiveness, self-efficacy, and autonomy orientation. Via meta-analytic structural equation modeling, we find support for a one-factor model composed of these seven dimensions, suggesting that they indeed represent a unitary construct. Our meta-analysis also supports that EP and its dimensions consistently produce significant relations with entrepreneurial attitudes, intent, status, and performance. EP is thereby supported as an important component of successful entrepreneurial endeavors, and our meta-analytic results provide clear criteria for determining the inclusion of dimensions within the construct of EP – which our seven identified dimensions satisfy.