Establishing the psychometric properties of constructs in a community-based participatory research conceptual model

The purpose of this study is to establish the psychometric properties of 22 measures from a community-based participatory research (CBPR) conceptual model.

The design of this study was an online, cross-sectional survey of academic and community partners involved in a CPBR project.

CPBR projects (294) in the United States with federal funding in 2009.

Of the 404 academic and community partners invited, 312 (77.2%) participated. Of the 200 principal investigators/project directors invited, 138 (69.0%) participated.

Twenty-two measures of CBPR context, group dynamics, methods, and health-related outcomes were examined.

Confirmatory factor analysis to establish factorial validity and Pearson correlations to establish convergent and divergent validity were used.

Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated strong factorial validity for the 22 constructs. Pearson correlations (p < .001) supported the convergent and divergent validity of the measures. Internal consistency was strong, with 18 of 22 measures achieving at least a .78 Cronbach α.

CBPR is a key approach for health promotion in underserved communities and/or communities of color, yet the basic psychometric properties of CBPR constructs have not been well established. This study provides evidence of the factorial, convergent, and discriminant validity and the internal consistency of 22 measures related to the CBPR conceptual model. Thus, these measures can be used with confidence by both CBPR practitioners and researchers to evaluate their own CBPR partnerships and to advance the science of CBPR.