Is the General Self-Efficacy Scale a Reliable Measure to be used in Cross-Cultural Studies? Results from Brazil, Germany and Colombia

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno F. Damásio ◽  
Felipe Valentini ◽  
Susana I. Núñes-Rodriguez ◽  
Soeren Kliem ◽  
Sílvia H. Koller ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study evaluated cross-cultural measurement invariance for the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) in a large Brazilian (N = 2.394) and representative German (N = 2.046) and Colombian (N = 1.500) samples. Initially, multiple-indicators multiple-causes (MIMIC) analyses showed that sex and age were biasing items responses on the total sample (2 and 10 items, respectively). After controlling for these two covariates, a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was employed. Configural invariance was attested. However, metric invariance was not supported for five items, in a total of 10, and scalar invariance was not supported for all items. We also evaluated the differences between the latent scores estimated by two models: MIMIC and MGCFA unconstraining the non-equivalent parameters across countries. The average difference was equal to |.07| on the estimation of the latent scores, and 22.8% of the scores were biased in at least .10 standardized points. Bias effects were above the mean for the German group, which the average difference was equal to |.09|, and 33.7% of the scores were biased in at least .10. In synthesis, the GSES did not provide evidence of measurement invariance to be employed in this cross-cultural study. More than that, our results showed that even when controlling for sex and age effects, the absence of control on items parameters in the MGCFA analyses across countries would implicate in bias of the latent scores estimation, with a higher effect for the German population.

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Urban ◽  
Jurie J. Van Vuuren ◽  
Rina H. Owen

Building on previous research on antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions, various measures were tested across different ethnic groups in South Africa. Factorial homogeneity is an important attribute for any scale intended for use in multicultural research, and since tests of equivalency are not routinely applied, this article hypothesised measurement invariance across ethnic groups. Theoretical discussions on Hofstede’s (2001) value survey module (VSM 94), attitudes towards and beliefs about entrepreneurial intentions, general self-efficacy (GSE), and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) preceded the use of statistical analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis based on 210 respondents indicated that equivalence for the underlying factors across the different ethnic groups could not be established, and that the three groups demonstrated different underlying structures. In conclusion, stereotypic declarations of an integrated South African culture were not supported by this research in terms of entrepreneurial intentions and their antecedents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25
Author(s):  
Jean Philippe Décieux ◽  
Philipp Emanuel Sischka ◽  
Anette Schumacher ◽  
Helmut Willems

Abstract. General self-efficacy is a central personality trait often evaluated in surveys as context variable. It can be interpreted as a personal coping resource reflecting individual belief in one’s overall competence to perform across a variety of situations. The German-language Allgemeine-Selbstwirksamkeit-Kurzskala (ASKU) is a reliable and valid instrument to assess this disposition in the German-speaking countries based on a three-item equation. This study develops a French version of the ASKU and tests this French version for measurement invariance compared to the original ASKU. A reliable and valid French instrument would make it easy to collect data in the French-speaking countries and allow comparisons between the French and German results. Data were collected on a sample of 1,716 adolescents. Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a good fit for a single-factor model of the data (in total, French, and German version). Additionally, construct validity was assessed by elucidating intercorrelations between the ASKU and different factors that should theoretically be related to ASKU. Furthermore, we confirmed configural and metric as well as scalar invariance between the different language versions, meaning that all forms of statistical comparison between the developed French version and the original German version are allowed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gino Casale ◽  
Robert J. Volpe ◽  
Brian Daniels ◽  
Thomas Hennemann ◽  
Amy M. Briesch ◽  
...  

Abstract. The current study examines the item and scalar equivalence of an abbreviated school-based universal screener that was cross-culturally translated and adapted from English into German. The instrument was designed to assess student behavior problems that impact classroom learning. Participants were 1,346 K-6 grade students from the US (n = 390, Mage = 9.23, 38.5% female) and Germany (n = 956, Mage = 8.04, 40.1% female). Measurement invariance was tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) across students from the US and Germany. Results support full scalar invariance between students from the US and Germany (df = 266, χ2 = 790.141, Δχ2 = 6.9, p < .001, CFI = 0.976, ΔCFI = 0.000, RMSEA = 0.052, ΔRMSEA = −0.003) indicating that the factor structure, the factor loadings, and the item thresholds are comparable across samples. This finding implies that a full cross-cultural comparison including latent factor means and structural coefficients between the US and the German version of the abbreviated screener is possible. Therefore, the tool can be used in German schools as well as for cross-cultural research purposes between the US and Germany.


Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110345
Author(s):  
Joevarian Hudiyana ◽  
Tania M. Lincoln ◽  
Steffi Hartanto ◽  
Muhammad A. Shadiqi ◽  
Mirra N. Milla ◽  
...  

The UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-20) and its short version (ULS-8) are widely used to measure loneliness. However, the question remains whether or not previous studies using the scale to measure loneliness are measuring the construct equally across countries. The present study examined the measurement invariance (MI) of both scales in Germany, Indonesia, and the United States ( N = 2350). The one-, two-, and three-factor structure of the ULS-20 did not meet the model fit cut-off criteria in the total sample. The ULS-8 met the model fit cut-off criteria and has configural, but not metric invariance because two items unrelated to social isolation were not MI. The final six items (ULS-6) exclusively related to social isolation had complete MI. Participants from the United States scored highest in the ULS-6, followed by participants from Germany and then Indonesia. We conclude that the ULS-6 is an appropriate measure for cross-cultural studies on loneliness.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Dwirifqi Kharisma Putra ◽  
Nia Tresniasari

Teenage years determines success in the future. Good teenagers are who are responsible to their own success in the future, known as future orientation. Given how important future orientation is, researchers examined variables which affect future orientation, thus future orientation can be optimalized. Dimensions of social support and self-efficacy chosen as independent variables. Respondents of this study were 326 students of one of high school in Jakarta. Future orientation, measured using Orientation Test–Revised developed by Scheir, Carver, and Bridges (1994). Social Support, measured using The Social Provisions Scale developed by Cutrona and Russel (1987). Self-efficacy, measured using General Self-efficacy Scale developed by Bosscher and Smit (1998). Instruments' validity were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and data was analysed using Multiple Regression Analysis. α=0.05, result of this study shows future orientation was affected by dimensions of social support, self-efficacy, and interaction between reassurance and self-efficacy with R-square = 30.3%.


2012 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia M. C. Tze ◽  
Robert M. Klassen ◽  
Lia M. Daniels ◽  
Johnson C.-H. Li ◽  
Xiao Zhang

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Learning-Related Boredom Scale (LRBS) from the Academic Emotions Questionnaire (AEQ; Pekrun, Goetz, & Perry, 2005; Pekrun, Goetz, Titz, & Perry, 2002) in a sample of 405 university students from Canada and China. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factor structure and measurement invariance of the LRBS across cultural settings, after which the relationships between the LRBS, boredom frequency in class, intrinsic motivation, and self-efficacy for self-regulated learning (SESRL) were examined. Results showed evidence of reliability and measurement invariance of the LRBS, and the relationships between the LRBS, boredom frequency, and SESRL were similar across settings. The study thus provided evidence that learning-related boredom is a valid construct across culturally diverse school settings and supported the use of the LRBS in both Canadian and Chinese student populations.


2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Juárez ◽  
Francoise Contreras

The self-efficacy construct has been studied from two different viewpoints. Firstly, in a specific manner, as it was originally proposed and secondly, in a generalized way, defined as an optimistic self-belief of personal capability to cope efficiently and competently with a variety of situations. In order to measure this construct at the broadest level the General Self Efficacy Scale (GSE) was designed and adapted to Spanish in Costa Rica. This study aimed at validating the scale in a Colombian sample composed of college students. Participants were also administered the Situational Personality Questionnaire (named in Spanish as Cuestionario de Personalidad Situacional, CPS) and its factors have, theoretically speaking, a certain relationship with the studied construct. According to the results, the GSE showed a high internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha value of .83). Convergent and discriminant validity of this instrument were evaluated through the CPS and positive correlations were obtained with efficacy, confidence, self-concept and emotional stability while negative correlations were obtained with anxiety. Through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the unidimensional structure of the scale was validated.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Maïano ◽  
Alexandre J.S. Morin ◽  
Johana Monthuy-Blanc ◽  
Jean-Marie Garbarino

The main objective of the present series of studies was to test the construct validity (i.e., content, factorial, and convergent validities) of the Fear of Negative Appearance Evaluation Scale (FNAES) in a community sample of French adolescents. A total sample of 683 adolescents was involved in three studies. The factorial validity and the measurement invariance of the FNAES were verified through a series of confirmatory factor analyses. The convergent validity of the FNAES was then verified through correlational analyses. The first study showed that the content and formulation of the French FNAES items were adequate for children and adolescents. The following two studies (Studies 2 to 3) provided (a) support for the factor validity, reliability, and convergent validity of a five-item French version of the FNAES, and (b) partial support for the measurement invariance of the resulting FNAES across genders. However, the latent mean structure of the FNAES did not prove to be invariant across genders, revealing a significantly higher latent mean score of FNAES in girls relative to boys. The present results, thus, provide preliminary evidence regarding the construct validity of the FNAES in a community sample of French adolescents. Recommendations for future practice and research regarding this instrument are outlined.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document