The Strengths Use Scale: Psychometric Properties, Longitudinal Invariance and Criterion Validity

Frontiers in Psychology

Matthew L. Cole¹  Jacqueline M. Stavros¹  Rebecca Shankland²  Llewellyn E. van Zyl³  Nicolas B. Verger⁴  Diane Arijs⁵  Aldona Gliíska-Newes⁶  Sebastiaan Rothmann⁷  Lara C. Roll⁸ 

[1] College of Business and Information Technology, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, United States;DIPHE, Department of Psychology, Education and Vulnerabilities, Université Lumière Lyon 2, Lyon, France;Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences, Human Performance Management, University of Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands;Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University Vaal Triangle Campus (VTC), Vanderbijlpark, South Africa;Department of Human Resource Management, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands;Department of Social Psychology, Institut für Psychologie, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany;Department of Psychology, School of Life and Health Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, United Kingdom;Department of Work and Organisation Studies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland;Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University Vaal Triangle Campus (VTC), Vanderbijlpark, South Africa;Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University Vaal Triangle Campus (VTC), Vanderbijlpark, South Africa;Department of Work and Organisation Studies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;

关键词: Strengths Use Scale;    strengths assessment;    psychometric properties;    longitudinal invariance;    positive psychological assessment;    psychological strengths;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.676153

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Strengths use is an essential personal resource to consider when designing higher-educational programs and interventions. Strengths use is associated with positive outcomes for both the student (e.g., study engagement) and the university (e.g., academic throughput/performance). The Strengths Use Scale (SUS) has become a popular psychometric instrument to measure strengths use in educational settings, yet its use has been subjected to limited psychometric scrutiny outside of the U.S. Further, its longitudinal stability has not yet been established. Given the wide use of this instrument, the goals of this study were to investigate (a) longitudinal factorial validity and the internal consistency of the scale, (b) its equivalence over time, and (c) criterion validity through its relationship with study engagement over time. Data were gathered at two-time points, 3 months apart, from a sample of students in the Netherlands (n = 360). Longitudinal confirmatory factor analyses showed support for a two-factor model for overall strengths use, comprised of Affinity for Strengths and Strengths Use Behaviors. The SUS demonstrated high levels of internal consistency at both the lower- and upper bound limits at both time points. Further, strict longitudinal measurement invariance was established, which confirmed the instrument's temporal stability. Finally, criterion validity was established through relating strengths use to study engagement at different time stamps. These findings support the use of the SUS in practice to measure strengths use and to track the effectiveness of strengths use interventions within the higher education sector.

【 授权许可】

CC BY