Construct validity of the Social Provisions Scale: a bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling approach
Article
Article Title | Construct validity of the Social Provisions Scale: a bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling approach |
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ERA Journal ID | 6106 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | |
Author | Perera, Harsha N. |
Journal Title | Assessment |
Journal Citation | 23 (6), pp. 720-733 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2015 |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 1073-1911 |
1552-3489 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191115589344 |
Web Address (URL) | http://asm.sagepub.com/content/early/2015/06/08/1073191115589344.full.pdf |
Abstract | Extant theory posits well-differentiated dimensions of perceived social support as measured using the Social Provisions Scale (SPS). However, evidence is inconsistent with this multidimensionality perspective, with SPS factor correlations near unity and higher between-factor than within-factor item correlations. This article reports on research investigating the internal structure, gender invariance, and predictive validity of SPS scores. The analyses are conducted in a novel bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) framework, which is designed to account for presumed psychometric multidimensionality in SPS items due to (a) their fallibility as pure indicators of the constructs they are purported to measure and (b) the coexistence of general and specific factors. Based on 376 item responses, evidence was obtained for a bifactor-ESEM representation of the SPS data. In addition, support was found for the invariance of item thresholds and the latent mean invariance of six of the seven SPS factors in the retained solution. Only mean levels of Social Integration were found to differ by gender, with men scoring higher than women. Finally, evidence was obtained for the predictive validity of SPS scores with respect to loneliness and psychological well-being. Quite apart from yielding evidence validating the SPS, this research demonstrates the utility of bifactor ESEM for psychological assessment. |
Keywords | CFA; ESEM; Social Provisions Scale; bifactor ESEM; construct validity |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 529999. Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
520502. Gender psychology | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q34q6/construct-validity-of-the-social-provisions-scale-a-bifactor-exploratory-structural-equation-modeling-approach
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