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Theoretical structure of adolescent alienation: a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis
Eric Lacourse1, Martine Villeneuve, Michel Claes
1Department of Psychology, University of Montreal. Quebec, Canada H3T 1C5. eric.lacourse@umontreal.ca
Adolescence
|April 1, 2004
Summary
This study confirms adolescent alienation is multidimensional, with self-estrangement and powerlessness as core factors. Other dimensions like normlessness may require separate theoretical models for better understanding.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Adolescent Development
Background:
- Alienation is a complex psychological and social construct.
- Seeman's (1959) five dimensions of alienation provide a foundational framework.
- Understanding adolescent alienation is crucial for developmental and educational psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the construct validity of adolescent alienation.
- To test a second-order confirmatory factor analysis model of Seeman's (1959) alienation dimensions.
- To investigate the multidimensionality of alienation in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Second-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
- Data collected from 275 high school students (ages 14-18).
- Analysis conducted separately for boys and girls.
Main Results:
- The hypothesized multidimensional structure of alienation was confirmed.
- A second-order factor, labeled 'alienation,' explained central dimensions: self-estrangement and powerlessness.
- Social isolation, meaninglessness, and normlessness were not well-explained by the second-order factor.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent alienation is a multidimensional construct with varying degrees of shared variance.
- Self-estrangement and powerlessness are key components of the overarching alienation factor.
- Normlessness, meaninglessness, and social isolation possess unique variance, suggesting they may function as distinct constructs or require alternative theoretical models.