Factor structure and validity of the Affective Style Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Personality Psychology

Background:

• The Affective Style Questionnaire (ASQ) has shown varied factor structures across international studies.
• Cultural, linguistic, and methodological differences may explain these variations.
• Understanding the ASQ's structure is crucial for accurate personality assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factor structure of the Affective Style Questionnaire in a Southern California university student population.
• To assess the validity of identified factors.
• To evaluate the ASQ's suitability for diverse populations.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with oblique rotation was employed.
• Data were collected from 2806 university students in Southern California.
• Statistical analyses examined the ASQ's underlying dimensions.

Main Results:

• A four-factor structure was identified, contrasting with the original three-factor model.
• The Concealing and Adjusting factors demonstrated concurrent and convergent validity.
• The Tolerating and Holding factors, each with only two items, showed limited psychometric support.

Conclusions:

• The ASQ's factor structure may be population-specific, influenced by regional and cultural factors.
• The Concealing and Adjusting factors appear robust and valid.
• The Tolerating and Holding factors require further investigation or revision before future use.