RESUMO
We used exploratory structural equation modeling to examine gender-based measurement invariance (MI) in the HEXACO-100 across three samples that varied in terms of age (undergraduate students in Study 1, working adults in Studies 2 and 3) and testing context (research context in Studies 1 and 2, high-stakes selection context in Study 3). Across three studies, we consistently found support for configural and metric invariance but not scalar invariance. However, the effect size measures of non-invariance were generally small. That said, in the Emotionality scale, for the same latent score, females scored higher than males due to measurement non-invariance (between 0.26 and 0.48 standard deviation units). Thus, the observed mean gender differences overestimated the true mean gender differences. The current study provides detailed evidence regarding gender-based MI of HEXACO personality scales. More generally, it provides insight regarding the effect that measurement artifacts can have on understanding psychological gender differences at the latent level.
RESUMO
The essence of measurement invariance (MI) analysis is to test the assumption that observed scores on a scale accurately reflect respondents' standings on a measured construct. Based on exploratory structural equation modeling, the current study examines gender-based MI in two Big Five measures of personality: the Mini-IPIP, and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) facet scales. We report results for MI based on both model fit indices and a practical significance index that quantifies the extent of noninvariance (i.e., dMACS). From the latter, we partition the observed group mean differences in scale scores into construct-irrelevant group differences versus construct-relevant group differences. In measures of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, and Neuroticism across instruments, results supported metric invariance but not scalar invariance. That said, findings of statistical noninvariance were generally small in terms of practical effects, although some notable variability in the effects was evident. Overall, the current results provide evidence regarding gender-based MI of Big Five personality measures that are more detailed than that provided in past work. More generally, this study also provides useful guidance for future researchers investigating both the statistical and practical significance of measurement invariance.
