Individual Differences Research

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Individual Differences Research > Volume 12, Issue 2 (2014) > 59-68

Gender Invariance of Item-Cluster Subcomponents of the NEO-FFI: A Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Ronald C. Feldt

Abstract

Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate measurement and structural invariance of item-cluster subcomponents of the NEO-FFI across gender (N = 388). Results indicated invariance of factor loadings, factor variances, and factor covariances. Some differential item function (intercepts) was observed, primarily with one subcomponent of the neuroticism domain (negative affect). Failure to account for the noninvariant intercepts resulted in larger estimated latent mean differences. For other subcomponents with noninvariant intercepts, the impact appeared to be minimal. Results of structured means analysis indicated significantly different latent means on 9 of the 12 subcomponents, with significantly greater means for women on 8 of the subcomponents.