Simultaneous Linking of Cross-Informant and Longitudinal Data Involving Positive Family Relationships

Abstract

Measurement invariance is a prerequisite when comparing different groups of individuals or when studying a group of individuals across time. This assures that the same construct is assessed without measurement artifacts. This investigation applied a novel approach of simultaneous parameter linking to cross-sectional and longitudinal measures of the construct of positive family relationships. Previously, a scale to measure this construct in mothers was developed longitudinally using the nominal response model of item response theory. In this study, this methodology was conducted for the first time to develop such a scale for children. The data for both informants derived from the Fullerton Longitudinal Study and encompassed 9 annual assessments spanning 8-years (age 9-17 years). This permitted linking across informants studied concurrently and prospectively. This procedure minimized measurement error, furnished a common metric across informants and time and established measurement invariance. Resulting thetas revealed a significant degree of concordance between informants across assessment waves as well as stability of individual differences for both informants over time. This psychometric investigation is unique because it simultaneously established invariance of a construct across informants and time. Implications for future research are discussed.

Positive family relationships across 30 years: Predicting adult health and happiness.

“…A longitudinal network of relations evaluated and supported the validity of this contemporary scale (Preston et al, 2016). This scale is also unique due to the measurement invariance established between mothers’ and children’s versions of the scale (Preston et al, 2018). Thus, any potential differences between mothers’ and children’s perspectives cannot be attributed to measurement artifact.…”

“…Additionally, there is evidence of the stability of individual differences (i.e., relative position over time; Bornstein et al, 2017) in perceptions of family relationships across childhood and adolescence. Recent research by Preston et al (2015Preston et al ( , 2016Preston et al ( , 2018 using a newly constructed measure of family functioning based on contemporary psychometric theory, the Positive Family Relationships (PFR) Scale, demonstrated measurement invariance across the perspectives of both mothers and children and longitudinally across ages 9 through 17 years. The PFR assesses how well family members get along and support each other, using a positive psychology framework that emphasizes the strengths, assets, and virtues that foster optimal psychological functioning (e.g., Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000).…”

“…The Positive Family Relationships (PFR) scale measures how well family members get along and support each other (Preston et al, 2015(Preston et al, , 2016(Preston et al, , 2018. It was completed annually by mothers and children when the children were aged 9 through 17 years.…”

“…An initial pool of 25 items assessing positive family relationships at age 38 years was adapted from the mother-and the child-report PFR scales (Preston et al, 2015(Preston et al, , 2016(Preston et al, , 2018 when the children were aged 9-17 years. Scale instructions were the same as those administered for the early PFR.…”

A Psychometric Analysis of the Brief Self-Control Scale

“…Because information and standard errors are provided for every value of the latent construct, the IRT framework paints a better picture in terms of score precision. Other overviews and examples, with some being more in-depth, of scale development under the IRT framework may be found in DeVellis (2012), DeWalt et al (2013), and Preston et al (2018).…”