Rationale and Applicability of Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) in psychoeducational contexts

Résumé 0

"Background: In last few years, the use of confi rmatory factor analysis (CFA) has become dominant in structural validation of psychological tests. However, the requirement of latent variables only loading on specifi c target items introduces some constraints on the solutions found, namely a factor solution that links some items only in one specifi c dimension. The most recent use of exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), which allows items to be predominantly related to a factor, with non-zero loadings on other factors, has been identifi ed as the one that best respects the proper functioning of the assessed psychological attributes. Method: In this study we compared the two approaches to structural validity using the answers of a sample of 2,478 fi rst-year higher education students to a multidimensional questionnaire of academic expectations. Results: The results show clear gains in information collected when combining CFA and ESEM. Conclusions: In conclusion, some implications are highlighted for research and practice of psychological assessment."