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Testing For Measurement Invariance of Attachment Across Chinese and American Adolescent Samples

NCJ Number
250060
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 60 Issue: 8 Dated: June 2016 Pages: 964-991
Author(s)
Date Published
June 2016
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Since adolescent attachment to formal and informal institutions has emerged as a major focus of criminological theories since the publication of Hirschi's work in 1969, the current study examined the psychometric equivalence of the factorial structure of attachment measures across nations reflecting Western and Eastern cultures.
Abstract
Twelve manifest variables were used to tap the concepts of adolescent attachment to parents, school, and neighborhood. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to conduct invariance testing across approximately 3,000 Chinese and U.S. adolescents. Results provide strong support for a three-factor model; the multigroup invariance tests yielded mixed results. Although the family attachment measure appeared invariant between the two samples, significant differences in the coefficients of the factor loadings were detected in the school attachment and neighborhood attachment measures. The results of regression analyses support the predictive validity of three types of attachment. Study limitations are discussed. 85 references (Publisher abstract modified)

Date Published: June 1, 2016