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Dimensional Latent Structure of Relationship Quality: Results of Three Representative Population Samples
Author(s) -
Kliem Sören,
Foran Heather M.,
Beller Johannes,
Hahlweg Kurt,
StöbelRichter Yve,
Brähler Elmar
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of marriage and family
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.578
H-Index - 159
eISSN - 1741-3737
pISSN - 0022-2445
DOI - 10.1111/jomf.12211
Subject(s) - construct (python library) , psychology , categorical variable , quality (philosophy) , german , population , german population , statistics , construct validity , latent variable , social psychology , structural equation modeling , econometrics , mathematics , demography , developmental psychology , psychometrics , computer science , geography , sociology , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , programming language
A fundamental question facing every latent construct (e.g., relationship quality) is whether the construct is categorical or dimensional in nature. The authors analyzed the latent status of relationship quality in 3 large general German population samples using the Partnership Questionnaire ( PFB ), the Quality of Relationship Inventory, and the short form of the PFB ( PFB ‐K; N 1 = 1,330, N 2 = 1,494, N 3 = 1,390). They applied 3 widely used taxometric methods: (a) MAXEIG , (b) MAMBAC , and (c) L‐Mode. Simulation data were created to evaluate the comparison curve fit index values, which were below 0.5 across the 3 German population samples, supporting a dimensional solution. Hence, in the current study the latent structure of relationship quality encompassed differences in degree rather than kind. Implications of the dimensional latent status of relationship quality, as well as causes of the discrepant findings with previous taxometric studies, are discussed.