Testing the Measurement Invariance of the Second-Order Factor Model of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire

• In Event: 14.021 - Evaluation of Measurement Invariance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure and the measurement invariance of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) across gender of K-12 school principals (N=6,317) in the United States. Nine first-order factor models and four second-order factor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results suggested that the nine-factor model provided the best fit and most constructs lacked convergent validity and discriminant validity. The second-order factor model with two higher-order factors (i.e., transformational and transactional leadership) was deemed the best fit and was tested for measurement invariance. The measurement model was found to be invariant across gender. Findings suggested that females demonstrated significantly greater transformational leadership behavior, while males demonstrated significantly greater transactional leadership behavior.

Authors

• Lihua Xu, University of Central Florida

• Trae Stewart, Texas State University - San Marcos

• Zane Wubbena, Texas State University