TY - JOUR

T1 - Factorial Validity of the Anxiety Questionnaire for Students (AFS)

T2 - Bifactor Modeling and Measurement Invariance

AU - Lohbeck, Annette

AU - Petermann, Franz

PY - 2019/9/1

Y1 - 2019/9/1

N2 - The present study with 2,273 students aimed to examine the factorial validity of the Anxiety Questionnaire for Students (AFS) by using the bifactor modeling framework, that is, contrasting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model to an exploratory structural equation model (ESEM) and two bifactor models (B-CFA and B-ESEM). In addition, measurement invariance and latent mean differences in the three facets of the AFS (test anxiety, manifest anxiety, dislike of school) across gender, age groups, and school types were explored. Results provided strong support for the multidimensionality of the AFS. The B-ESEM showed the best fit to the data as opposed to the other models. Also, measurement invariance across gender, age groups, and school types was fully supported. Girls and younger students generally reported higher levels of anxiety than boys and older students, while the latter stated more dislike of school than girls and younger students. Furthermore, elementary school students showed generally higher levels of anxiety than students of the other school types.

AB - The present study with 2,273 students aimed to examine the factorial validity of the Anxiety Questionnaire for Students (AFS) by using the bifactor modeling framework, that is, contrasting a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model to an exploratory structural equation model (ESEM) and two bifactor models (B-CFA and B-ESEM). In addition, measurement invariance and latent mean differences in the three facets of the AFS (test anxiety, manifest anxiety, dislike of school) across gender, age groups, and school types were explored. Results provided strong support for the multidimensionality of the AFS. The B-ESEM showed the best fit to the data as opposed to the other models. Also, measurement invariance across gender, age groups, and school types was fully supported. Girls and younger students generally reported higher levels of anxiety than boys and older students, while the latter stated more dislike of school than girls and younger students. Furthermore, elementary school students showed generally higher levels of anxiety than students of the other school types.

KW - anxiety

KW - bifactor modeling

KW - factorial validity

KW - measurement invariance

KW - Psychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053335275&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/0734282918794834

DO - 10.1177/0734282918794834

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85053335275

VL - 37

SP - 770

EP - 781

JO - Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment

JF - Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment

SN - 0734-2829

IS - 6

ER -