Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Dyadic Coping Inventory for Low-Income Couples in the United States

• In Event: Measurement Validation and Application

Abstract

The Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) is an instrument for assessing dyadic coping
behaviors (i.e., stress communication) within couples. The present study examined the factor
structure and measurement invariance of the DCI across males and females of the dyad. The
sample consisted of 1,368 heterosexual low-income couples in the U.S. Confirmatory factor
analysis results identified the underlying nine-factor structure of the DCI. A Multiple-group
Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported residual variance invariance for the DCI. Latent mean
testing revealed that males scored higher in six latent factors than females. The present study’s
findings contributed to the literature by adding additional validity evidence of the English
version of DCI and supporting the feasibility of cross-gender comparisons of dyadic coping
behavior measured by DCI.

Authors

• Ryan G. Carlson, University of South Carolina
  Presenting Author

• Ruiqin Gao, University of South Carolina
  Presenting Author