Measurement Invariance of the Five Factor Model of Personality: Facet-Level Analyses Among Euro and Asian Americans.

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Academic Journal

Lui PP; Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA.
Samuel DB; Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Rollock D; Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Leong FTL; Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
Chang EC; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Assessment [Assessment] 2020 Jul; Vol. 27 (5), pp. 887-902. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Sep 19.

English

Relative to broad Big Five domains, personality facets provide incremental value in predicting life outcomes. Valid between-group comparisons of means and correlates of facet scores are contingent upon measurement invariance of personality measures. Research on culture and Big Five personality has been largely limited to cross-national comparisons of domains, without assessing measurement invariance across ethnoracial groups within the same country. Using the NEO Inventories, we tested facet-level measurement invariance between Euro ( N = 418, 63.2% women, M age = 18.43) and Asian Americans ( N = 429, 56.6% women, M age = 18.00). Multigroup exploratory factor analysis within a confirmatory factor analysis framework showed partial strong invariance. Assertiveness and activity did not load onto extraversion as strongly for Asian Americans. Self-consciousness showed a stronger cross-loading onto extraversion among Asian Americans than Euro Americans. Achievement striving, competence, warmth, tender-mindedness , and excitement seeking showed noninvariant intercepts across groups. Collectivistic values emphasizing interpersonal harmony and modesty should be considered when examining narrow and broad traits among Asian Americans.