Constructing reliable multi-item scales: Wave I prediction and Wave IV outcomes

Citation

Benson, Mark J.; Faas, Caitlin; & Kaestle, Christine E. (2010). Constructing reliable multi-item scales: Wave I prediction and Wave IV outcomes. 2010 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center.

Abstract

Multi-item scales hold particular value in assessing the complex contextual variables in adolescents’ lives. Using a systematic procedure, we indentified 30 underlying multi-item scales from Wave I for use in predicting Wave IV outcomes. Stage 1 centered on descriptive analyses of conceptually similar items; stage 2 produced results from a series of principal components factor analyses; and stage 3 used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling to identify correlated errors and patterns across scales. The study procedures yielded 30 multi-item scales from Wave I based on parent, youth, or interviewer reports. Alphas exceeded .80 for 9 scales and surpassed .70 for 26 scales. The 30 scales included measures of: family processes (7), peer relations (2), school performance (4), neighborhood quality (2); internal processes (5), physical well-being (2), sexuality (4), externalizing behavior (4), and social impression (1). The full presentation provides a detailed handout on the conceptual underpinnings for each scale, the syntax for scale construction, internal consistency estimates, results from CFA, and findings illustrating links between Wave I scales and Wave IV outcomes.

URL

https://addhealth.cpc.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/docs/news/FINAL%202010%20Add%20Health%20Users%20Conference%20Abstracts.pdf

Reference Type

Conference proceeding

Book Title

2010 Add Health Users Conference

Author(s)

Benson, Mark J.
Faas, Caitlin
Kaestle, Christine E.

Year Published

2010

Publisher

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center

City of Publication

Bethesda, MD

Reference ID

6455