Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis Research Articles

Analysing mixed-mode effects of computer assisted telephone and personal interviews: A case study based on survey data from the international social survey programme module on environment

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, surveys often could not be conducted in originally planned face-to-face mode, and switched to online modes or used different mixed-mode designs. A combination of CATI and CAPI was used for the Austrian ISSP survey on Environment 2020/2021 (N=1.261), which in the past had always been conducted face-to-face. Mixed-mode surveys facilitate field access in pandemic times and show potential to reduce non-response and coverage errors (desired selection effect). However, the combination of different modes comes along with a series of risks such as mode-effects causing bias due to measurement effects. From an analytical perspective, the challenge arising is to disentangle selection and measurement effects. Thus, we analyse differences in the factorial structure and response distributions of two social constructs using Bayesian multigroup confirmatory factor analysis and linear regression. These represent institutional trust and the willingness to sacrifice for environmental protection. The findings show support for scalar invariance and therefore the absence of CAPI vs. CATI mode-effects on the factorial structure for both constructs. However, despite adjusting for differences in sample composition we observe a higher average willingness within the CATI sample. Based on these results, we discuss implications for the interpretation of mode effects in mixed mode surveys.

Measurement Invariance of Achievement Motives Model: PISA 2018 Turkey Sample

This study aims to find out whether the achievement motives model, constructed by attitudes towards competition, motivation to master tasks, and fear of failure scales, has measurement invariance in the PISA 2018 student questionnaire concerning gender and school type in Turkey sample, containing 6442 students. According to the results, the model's fit levels with the data were within acceptable levels across gender groups and school-type groups. Then, the measurement invariance across gender and school type was tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis including a sequence of tests of four nested hierarchical models which are configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance. The fit indices of models and the differences of indice values between models were examined to decide whether measurement invariance is established. It is found that the full measurement invariance is met according to gender and school type since the values of the indices for each invariance step are acceptable values. It means that it will be appropriate and meaningful to compare the students based on the scores obtained from the measurement tool within the framework of the achievement motives model.

Adaptation of student feedback literacy scale into Turkish culture: A study of reliability and validity

The present study reports on the adaptation of the Student Feedback Literacy Scale developed for the Turkish learning context by following a rigorous scale adaptation process. Three groups participated in this study: 31 undergraduate students in the translation stage, and two groups, including 291 and 401 undergraduate students, in the construct validity stages. The statistical analyses include paired-samples t-test, correlation analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), multi-group CFA, and reliability analyses. According to the EFA results, two items under two different factors were removed from the scale due to their low factor loadings and negative impact on the reliability indices. The results from CFA and reliability analyses indicated that the Student Feedback Literacy Scale including 22 items and six factors of Eliciting, Processing, Enacting, Appreciation of Feedback, Readiness to Engage, and Commitment to Engage is valid and reliable in Turkish learning context. This adapted instrument can be used by researchers and practitioners working with Turkish undergraduate students to better capture students’ level of feedback literacy, enabling the development of tailored feedback strategies. It can also serve as pre- and post-tests in longitudinal research, allowing for a critical evaluation of pedagogical interventions designed to enhance student feedback literacy.

The Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire in China: Cross-cultural adaptation and measurement invariance.

The Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ) is a comprehensive scale for screening and assessing trismus in head and neck (H&N) cancer and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) patients. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the GTQ in China, and to test its measurement invariance. This study comprised 278 H&N cancer, 245 TMD, and 507 control patients. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were tested to assess the GTQ's reliability. The validity was evaluated through composite reliability (CR), average variance extracted (AVE), and correlation tests. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to investigate the GTQ's measurement invariance across clinical status and gender. T tests were employed to compare score differences across clinical status and gender. The Chinese version of GTQ scale shows excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The CR, AVE, and correlation values demonstrate the good validity of GTQ. The multi-group CFA supported configural invariance across clinical status but not metric invariance, while it supported strict invariance across gender. Additionally, t tests revealed that patients with H&N cancer and TMD scored higher than the control group, while males scored higher than females. The Chinese version of GTQ serves as an effective tool for screening and assessing trismus.

Long- and short-term frequent attenders' perceptions of patient-centredness in Finnish primary healthcare: A cross-sectional survey and the equivalence of the factor structure of the 36-item patient-centred primary care instrument.

The study aimed to compare long- and short-term frequent attenders' (FAs) perceptions of patient-centredness and to assess the equivalence of the factor structure of patient-centred primary care (PCPC) instrument for long- and short-term FAs. A cross-sectional survey of long-term (n = 234) and short-term (n = 261) FAs within the primary healthcare of one city in Finland. The data collected in January-July 2020 via 'the 36-item PCPC instrument' were analysed using Pearson's chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Cronbach's alpha, and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA). Long-term FAs had worse perceptions of patient-centredness than short-term FAs across all subscales: patients' preferences, physical comfort, coordination of care, continuity and transition, emotional support, access to care, information and education, and family and friends. The MGCFA indicated a good fit for the predicted eight-factor model. Long-term FAs' care needs are currently not being met, indicating the need for considering how the way healthcare services are arranged and care is provided affects prolonged and high care needs. Various dimensions of patient-centredness need to be addressed when developing not only FAs' care but also wider service paths. A distinction should be made between long- and short-term frequent attendance when identifying and addressing FAs' service needs.

The validity of the Physical Literacy in Children Questionnaire in children aged 4 to 12

BackgroundGiven the growing evidence on the health benefits associated with physical literacy (PL), it is necessary to develop sound measures to assess the levels of PL in children. The Physical Literacy in Children Questionnaire (PL-C Quest) is the first self-report pictorial-based scale to assess children’s perceived PL. It has good validity and reliability in Australian children aged 7 to 12 years, but little is known in younger children and in other cultural contexts. The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability in an expanded age range.MethodsA total of 1,870 Chinese children (girls, n = 871; 46.6%), aged 4 to 12 years (M = 8.07 ± 2.42) participated in validity testing. Structural equation modeling with the Weighted Least Squares with Mean and Variance approach was used to assess construct validity. The hypothesized theoretical model used the 30 items and four hypothesized factors: physical, psychological, social and cognitive capabilities. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess sex and age group (4–6 years, 7–9 years and 10–12 years) measurement invariance. Internal consistency analyses were conducted using polychoric alpha. A random subsample (n = 262) was selected to determine test–retest reliability using Intra-Class Correlations (ICC).ResultsAll items except one (moving with equipment–skateboarding) loaded on sub-domains with λ > 0.45. The hypothesized model had a good fit (CFI = 0.954, TLI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.042), with measurement equivalence across sex and age groups separately. Internal consistency values were good to excellent (overall: α = 0.94; physical: α = 0.86; psychological: α = 0.83; social: α = 0.81; cognitive: α = 0.86). Test–retest reliability was adequate to excellent (overall: ICC = 0.90, physical: ICC = 0.86, psychological: ICC = 0.75, social: ICC = 0.71, cognitive: ICC = 0.72).ConclusionThe Chinese version of the PL-C Quest is valid and reliable for testing the self-reported PL of Chinese children aged 4 to 12. This study provides the first evidence of validity for this tool in children aged 4–6 years and also evidence that the PL-C Quest would be a meaningful instrument to assess PL in Chinese children.

Understanding the Impact of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain on Daily Life from a Gender Perspective Using the PAIN_Integral Scale©.

The experience of chronic non-cancer pain differs between women and men due to gender-related factors. This study (1) assessed the difference in responses to the impact of chronic non-cancer pain on daily life in women and men using the PAIN_Integral Scale© and (2) evaluated its invariance through multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. This was conducted by means of an analysis of invariance through a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. A cross-sectional sample of 400 participants over 18 years of age with Chronic Non-Oncological Pain in Pain Units and Primary Care Centres belonging to the Spanish Public Health System was recruited (January to March 2020). An analysis was performed to assess whether any of the items in the instrument showed different behaviours. All analyses were performed using AMOS® v.26 software. The results showed that the structure of the PAIN_Integral© Scale remained adequate when analysing its invariance in women and men, showing no metric, scalar and/or strict invariance. Therefore, these results indicated that the PAIN_Integral Scale© instrument has a different interpretation for women and men, identifying eight items with a singular functioning in both sexes and belonging to the subscales of proactivity, resilience and support network. These findings can be explained by gender stereotypes, since the dimensions where there are differences have an important social burden.

Measurement Equivalence in Cattell's Intelligence Test among Adults in Light of Gender Using Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis

هدفت الدراسة الحالية إلى التحقق من تكافؤ القياس على مستوى البنية الكامنة لاختبار كاتل للذكاء المتحرر من أثر الثقافة بين طلاب وطالبات جامعة القصيم في مدينة بريدة من خلال اختبار أربعة نماذج رئيسية، هي: التكافؤ الشكلي، والتكافؤ المتري، وتكافؤ التدريج، وتكافؤ تباين الخطأ، وذلك باستخدام الأسلوب الإحصائي: التحليل العاملي التوكيدي متعدد المجموعات. بالإضافة لذلك، هدفت الدراسة إلى التحقق من عدم وجود فروق في المتغيرات الكامنة بين الطلاب والطالبات في الاختبار بعد التحقق من تكافؤ قياسه وذلك باستخدام الأسلوب الإحصائي: متوسطات المتغيرات. وقد اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي – المقارن، وطبقت اختبار كاتل للعامل العام مقياس الذكاء المتحرر من أثر الثقافة (المقياس الثالث) الصورة (أ) من إعداد العالم كاتل Cattell على عينة قوامها (681) طالبًا وطالبةً، اختيروا بالطريقة العشوائية. وقد أسفرت النتائج عن الوصول إلى تكافؤ القياس التام من خلال تحقق نماذجه الأربعة، وتطابق البنية الكامنة بين طلاب وطالبات جامعة القصيم وعدم وجود فروق بين الجنسين في السمات الكامنة للذكاء. وبناءً على ما توصلت إليه الدراسة من نتائج قدمت مجموعة من التوصيات.

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.

Psychometric properties of the Teenage Executive Functioning Inventory (TEXI): A confirmatory factor analysis and measurement invariance by gender in Bangladeshi adolescents

The Teenage Executive Functioning Inventory (TEXI) is a newly developed, reliable, and valid measure to assess deficits in executive functioning. The present study aimed to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties and factor structure of the Bangla version of the TEXI in a sample of Bangladeshi adolescents. The cross-sectional research on 360 Bangladeshi adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years was carried out. Initially, the 20-item TEXI was translated into Bangla and pretested. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test factor structure and measurement invariance across genders. The CFA identified a two-factor solution, including working memory and inhibition, thereby replicating the original model. Multi-group CFA further suggested configural, metric, scaler, and residual measurement invariance between genders in a Bangladeshi sample. The internal consistency reliability of the TEXI was adequate. Construct and criterion-related validity were confirmed by establishing substantial and statistically significant correlations between the two factors within the TEXI and the associations between academic performance and the overall TEXI score. The Bangla version of the TEXI is a valuable measurement tool for evaluating executive dysfunction among adolescents. This study opens the door to future research on adolescents’ executive functioning deficits and their relationship with other real-life behaviors.

Development and validation of an 8-item version of the Real Relationship Inventory–Client form

Objective: To develop and validate a very brief version of the 24-item Real Relationship Inventory–Client (RRI-C) form. Method: Two independent samples of individual psychotherapy patients (Nsample 1 = 700, Nsample 2 = 434) completed the RRI-C along with other measures. Psychometric scale shortening involved exploratory factor analysis, item response theory analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multigroup CFA. Reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of the scale and subscales were also assessed. Results: The 8-item RRI-C (RRI-C-SF) preserves the two-factor structure: Genuineness (k = 4, α = .86) and Realism (k = 4, α = .87), which were correlated at r = .74. CFA provided the following fit indices for the bifactor model: X 2/df = 2.16, CFI = .99, TLI = .96, RMSEA = .07, and SRMR = .03. Multigroup CFA showed that the RRI-C-SF was invariant across in-person and remote session formats. The RRI-C-SF demonstrated high reliability (α = .91); high correlation with the full-length scale (r = .96); and excellent convergent and discriminant validity with measures of other elements of the therapeutic relationship, personality characteristics, current mental health state, and demographic-clinical variables. Clinical change benchmarks were calculated to serve as valuable tools for both research and clinical practice. Conclusion: The RRI-C-SF is a reliable measure that can be used for both research and clinical purposes. It enables a nuanced assessment of the genuineness and the realism dimensions of the real relationship.

Examining the validity and reliability of the academic entitlement scale in Turkish culture

This study aims to adapt the Academic Entitlement Scale to Turkish culture and examine the scale's measurement invariance according to gender. The study was conducted with 372 university students aged 18 and 54 (I = 20.90). The study used the Academic Entitlement Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and Locus of Control Scale as data collection tools. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to identify the construct validity of the scale. The measurement invariance of the scale according to gender was examined using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. Correlations between research variables were analyzed with the Pearson Correlation Test. Cronbach's Alpha was performed to measure the internal consistency reliability of the study. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that academic entitlement was positively correlated with self-esteem and external locus of control. In addition, it was revealed that the externalized responsibility sub-dimension was positively correlated to narcissism. The research findings indicate that the scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool within Turkish culture.

From identity-based distress to thinking “I am better off being dead:” Minority stress, posttraumatic cognitions, and suicidal ideation

BackgroundSuicidal ideation (SI) disproportionately impacts individuals with minoritized race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. Minority stress – i.e., traumatic, insidious distress that results from acts of discrimination – may lead to the formation of posttraumatic cognitions that may generalize to suicidal ideation, elevating SI risk in minoritized populations. The current study aimed to test this potential relationship by examining whether minority stress and posttraumatic cognitions accounted for the association between discrimination and SI. MethodsSeries of structural equation models, including multigroup confirmatory factor analyses conducted to test invariance of latent constructs, were estimated on cross-sectional data collected from minoritized young adults (n = 337). ResultsResults supported the hypothesized model: experience of discrimination indirectly associated with SI via correlations shared between minority stress and posttraumatic cognitions. Experiences of discrimination lacked a significant correlation with SI while accounting for minority stress and posttraumatic cognition variance. Invariance testing conducted to account for applicability of the model across race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and plurality of minoritized identities all demonstrated that the model was applicable across these identity dimensions. LimitationsGranular inspection of identity dimensions was infeasible due to sample size and causal inferences cannot be drawn given cross-sectional nature of the data used. ConclusionsPosttraumatic cognitions within the context of discrimination may be effective treatment targets for minoritized individuals who present with minority stress and SI. Future studies should aim to replicate such findings longitudinally to infer temporality.

Examining measurement invariance of appetitive trait and ARFID symptom measures by food security status

ObjectiveMeasures assessing appetitive traits (i.e., individual differences in the desire to consume food) and disordered eating have generally been developed in predominantly food-secure populations. The current study aims to test measurement invariance (MI) for a measure of appetitive traits and a measure of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) symptomology across food security status. MethodData from a sample of mothers (n = 634) and two undergraduate samples (n = 945 and n = 442) were used to assess MI for the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ), which measures appetitive traits, and the Nine Item ARFID Screen (NIAS), which measures ARFID symptomology. Current food security was assessed using the 18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module, which was dichotomized into two groups: 1) the ‘food insecure’ group included marginal, low, and very low food security and 2) the ‘food secure’ group included high food security. Overall and multi-group confirmatory factor analyses were conducted separately for each measure in each sample. ResultsResults demonstrated scalar (i.e., strong) MI for both measures across samples, indicating that these measures performed equivalently across food-secure and food-insecure individuals. ConclusionFindings suggest that differences in appetitive traits by food security status observed in prior research are not artifacts of measurement differences, but instead reflect true differences. Additionally, past mixed results regarding the relationship between food insecurity (FI) and ARFID symptomology are not likely driven by measurement error when using the NIAS.

Digital learning for preschools: Validation of basic ICT competence beliefs of preschool teachers in Hong Kong and the Philippines

With technology integration efforts expanding to early childhood education globally, assessing preschool teachers’ technological competence beliefs is imperative. However, most existing tools measuring teachers’ information and communication technology (ICT) competence beliefs focused on primary through secondary grades. This study examined the factorial validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Basic ICT Competence Beliefs (BICB) questionnaire among 209 preschool teachers in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the original nine-factor structure over plausible alternative models. All factors showed good reliability (α = 0.83 to 0.91) and theoretically meaningful factor intercorrelations. Multigroup CFA results supported the measurement invariance of the scale. Specifically, the results demonstrated the configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across cultural groups. Findings provide further validity for the BICB as a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing preschool teachers’ ICT competence beliefs within and across contexts. The BICB can help identify teacher strengths and needs, guide professional development, and evaluate technology integration efforts in early childhood education in Asia.

Structural validation of the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire for use in foot and ankle surgery.

The Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ) is an anatomically specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) currently used to assess a wide variety of foot and ankle pathology. It consists of 16 items across three subscales measuring distinct but related traits: walking/standing ability, pain, and social interaction. It is the most used foot and ankle PROM in the UK. Initial MOxFQ validation involved analysis of 100 individuals undergoing hallux valgus surgery. This project aimed to establish whether an individual's response to the MOxFQ varies with anatomical region of disease (measurement invariance), and to explore structural validity of the factor structure (subscale items) of the MOxFQ. This was a single-centre, prospective cohort study involving 6,637 patients (mean age 52 years (SD 17.79)) presenting with a wide range of foot and ankle pathologies between January 2013 and December 2021. To assess whether the MOxFQ responses vary by anatomical region of foot and ankle disease, we performed multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. To assess the structural validity of the subscale items, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. Measurement invariance by pathology was confirmed, suggesting the same model can be used across all foot and ankle anatomical regions. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a two- to three-factor model, and suggested that item 13 (inability to carry out work/everyday activities) and item 14 (inability to undertake social/recreational activities) loaded more positively onto the "walking/standing" subscale than their original "social interaction" subscale. This large cohort study supports the current widespread use of the MOxFQ across a broad range of foot and ankle pathologies. Our analyses found indications that could support alterations to the original factor structure (items 13 and 14 might be moved from the "social interaction" to the "walking/standing" subscale). However, this requires further work to confirm.

The Brief Solastalgia Scale: A Psychometric Evaluation and Revision

Witnessing degradation and loss to one’s home environment can cause the negative emotional experience of solastalgia. We review the psychometric properties of the 9-item Solastalgia subscale from the Environmental Distress Scale (Higginbotham et al. (EcoHealth 3:245–254, 2006)). Using data collected from three large, independent, adult samples (N = 4229), who were surveyed soon after the 2019/20 Australian bushfires, factor analyses confirmed the scale’s unidimensionality, while analyses derived from Item Response Theory highlighted the poor psychometric performance and redundant content of specific items. Consequently, we recommend a short-form scale consisting of five items. This Brief Solastalgia Scale (BSS) yielded excellent model fit and internal consistency in both the initial and cross-validation samples. The BSS and its parent version provide very similar patterns of associations with demographic, health, life satisfaction, climate emotion, and nature connectedness variables. Finally, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated comparable construct architecture (i.e. configural, metric, and scalar invariance) across validation samples, gender categories, and age. As individuals and communities increasingly confront and cope with climate change and its consequences, understanding related emotional impacts is crucial. The BSS promises to aid researchers, decision makers, and practitioners to understand and support those affected by negative environmental change.

무용전공 학생용 창의적 자기개념 척도의 타당화 및 측정 불변성 검증

Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the validity and reliability of Korean version of the Short Scale of Creative Self-Concept (Karwowski, 2011; Karwowski et al., 2018) and test the measurement equivalence across high school and college students majoring in dance.
 Methods Two studies were conducted. Study 1 was conducted with 158 participants (high school students=75, college students=83) to explore the potential factor structure of the shortened creative self-concept scale adapted into Korean version. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, and internal consistency analysis. Study 2 was conducted with a total of 715 participants (high school students=343, college students=372) to examine the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Short Scale of Creative Self-Concept. Data were collected using two other questionnaires for concurrent validity and one questionnaire for predictive validity, and analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, correlation, regression analysis, internal consistency analysis, and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis.
 Results In Study 1, the results of the principal component analysis showed that 9 items were extracted from 2 factors (creative self-efficacy=5 items; creative personal identity=4 items), accounting for 72.40% of the total variance. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis in Study 2 showed that the 10-item measurement model fit the data (²=293.84, df=26, p=.001, CFI=.931, TLI=.905, RMSEA=.070; 90%CI: .068, .093). The creative self-concept subscale showed static correlations ranging from .39 to .80 between dance identity and creative self-efficacy, and positively predicted intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Measurement coefficients, structural covariance, and measurement residuals were variant between high school and college students, and conceptual reliability and internal consistency coefficients were all above 0.80.
 Conclusions Results suggest that the Short Form Creative Self-Concept Scale can be applied to measure creative self-efficacy and creative personal identity of dance major’s students.

Measurement Invariance of Adverse Childhood Experiences Across Teacher Age and Race

ABSTRACT Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) confer considerable risk for negative outcomes across the lifespan, but there is limited research examining whether the measurement of ACEs can be interpreted the same way across diverse groups of individuals. In particular, the measurement of ACEs among early child education teachers has received little attention. Given that millions of children receive care from early child education teachers, and evidence that ACEs can severely disrupt teacher’s abilities to support young children, it is critical to accurately assess for and respond to teacher ACEs. The present study examined the factor structure and measurement invariance of the 11-item Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) version of the ACEs measure across a diverse group of teachers. Data were collected from 605 teachers in a southeastern state between 2018 and 2021. Teachers ranged in age from 18 to 81 years (35% young; 56% middle; and 9% older adults) and were diverse across race (46% White; 53% Black). Teachers completed the BRFSS version of the ACEs measure and a demographics questionnaire. Factor analyses replicated the theorized three-factor solution, with household dysfunction, emotional/psychological abuse, and sexual abuse emerging as distinct factors. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated measurement invariance across teacher age and race. Comparisons of scores indicated ACEs levels varied across teacher age and race. Overall, findings suggest the BRFSS version of the ACEs measure can be used to assess adverse childhood experiences across diverse groups of early child education teachers.

The Short Version of the Italian Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire (MVEQ): Psychometric Properties and Relationships with Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in a Community Sample of Older Adults

Vital Exhaustion (VE) refers to a physical and mental state of excessive fatigue, feelings of demoralization, hopelessness, and increased irritability. The short form of the Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire (MVEQ) is a widely used measure to assess VE. Despite its utility is broadly recognized, the validity and reliability of the scale have yet to be examined in the Italian context. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the shortened MVEQ in a community sample of Italian older adults. A total of 722 older adults (Mage = 72.97, SD = 7.71; 60.4% females) completed the MVEQ, as well as other self-report questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression and stress in order to evaluate the criterion-related validity of the scale. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to examine the original MVEQ latent structure. Internal consistency was assessed through model-based omega coefficient. Test-retest reliability was examined by re-administering the MVEQ after three months to a subsample of 568 participants. Factorial invariance tests across gender were conducted by means of multi-group CFAs. The one-factor model showed an acceptable fit to the data. The MVEQ yielded a reliable total score (ω = 0.822) and showed moderate-to-large correlations with measures of anxiety, depression, and stress (r range 0.30 to 0.75, ps < 0.001). Test-retest reliability was supported by an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.661. Lastly, the scale was factorially invariant across gender. Overall, the MVEQ provided evidence of reliability and criterion-related validity in a sample of Italian older adults and may be useful for both clinical and research practices.