Original Research

Determining the dimensionality and gender invariance of the MACE work-to-family enrichment scale using bifactor and approximate invariance tests

Pieter Schaap, Eileen Koekemoer
SA Journal of Industrial Psychology | Vol 47 | a1821 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajip.v47i0.1821 | © 2021 Pieter Schaap, Eileen Koekemoer | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 25 June 2020 | Published: 28 January 2021

About the author(s)

Pieter Schaap, Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Eileen Koekemoer, Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

larification.

Research purpose: The main aim of our study was to get clarity on the dimensionality of the MACE-W2FE. The secondary aim was to test for approximate invariance of the measure for gender groups.

Motivation for the study: Variations in the reported measurement models for the MACE-W2FE between studies are not conducive for theory development and called for clarification. Previous models reported were a multidimensional model and a second-order model. Approximate measurement invariance is a prerequisite for study differences between gender groups.

Research approach/design and method: We did seek to resolve the problem by using bifactor model analysis, factor strength indices and local indicator misspecification analyses using a sample of 786 South African employees. Invariance was tested using the alignment optimisation method.

Main findings: In this study, we solved a substantive research problem by determining that the data from the study best supported a single breadth factor or first-order factor model that was essentially unidimensional. The invariance tests across gender groups confirmed approximate configural, measurement and scalar invariances for the unidimensional model.

Practical/managerial implications: Researchers and practitioners may include the MACE-W2FE in studies as a single-aggregated score without negligible loss in measurement precision.

Contribution/value-add: The extended confirmatory factor analyses we conducted proved valuable in resolving the MACE-W2FE’s dimensionality vacillations, thereby enhancing the validity of inferences made from scale scores.


Keywords

bifactor analysis; gender invariance; scale dimensionality; factor strength indices; local indicator misfit analysis; approximate invariance testing; MACE work-to-family enrichment scale; work-family enrichment; method factors.

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