Grit Across Nations: The Cross-National Equivalence of the Grit-O Scale

Llewellyn E. Zyl (), Babet Heijenk, Jeff Klibert, Rebecca Shankland, Nicolas B. Verger, Sebastiaan Rothmann, Vincent Cho, Katherine Feng, Eric W. K. See-To, Lara C. Roll and Leander Meij
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Llewellyn E. Zyl: University of Eindhoven, Human Performance Management
Babet Heijenk: University of Eindhoven, Human Performance Management
Jeff Klibert: Georgia Southern University
Rebecca Shankland: Université Lumière Lyon 2
Nicolas B. Verger: Glasgow Caledonian University
Sebastiaan Rothmann: North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus)
Vincent Cho: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Katherine Feng: Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Eric W. K. See-To: Lingnan University
Lara C. Roll: North-West University (Vaal Triangle Campus)
Leander Meij: University of Eindhoven, Human Performance Management

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2022, vol. 23, issue 7, No 3, 3179-3213

Abstract: Abstract Despite its popularity in practice, the Grit-O Scale has shown inconsistent factorial structures and differing levels of internal consistency in samples outside the USA. The validity of the Grit-O Scale in different contexts is, therefore, questionable. As such, the purpose of this paper was to determine whether the Grit-O Scale could be used as a valid and reliable measure to compare grit across different nations. Specifically, the aim was to investigate the factorial validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the Grit-O Scale and to investigate measurement invariance across three national cohorts (Europe, the USA, and Hong Kong). Data were gathered from 1888 respondents stemming from one USA- (n = 471), two Hong Kong- (n = 361) and four European (n = 1056) universities. A series of traditional CFA and less restrictive ESEM models were estimated and systematically compared to determine the best factorial form of the Grit-O Scale. The results showed that a bifactor ESEM model, with one general factor of overall grit and two specific factors (consistency of interest and perseverance of effort), fitted the data best, showed strong measurement invariance across the three samples, and showed itself to be a reliable measure. Furthermore, concurrent validity was established by showing that the three grit factors were directly and positively related to task performance. Meaningful latent comparisons between the three cultural cohorts could therefore be made. The results imply that cross-national comparisons of grit may only be problematic when traditional CFA approaches are favoured. In contrast, ESEM modelling approaches may compensate for cross-national differences in understanding grit and control for differences in the interpretation of the scale’s items. Therefore, the bifactor ESEM approach may be more appropriate for cross-cultural and cross-national comparison studies, as it allows for these differences to be meaningfully captured, modelled, and controlled for.

Keywords: Grit; Consistency of interest; Perseverance of effort; Invariance testing; Task performance; Psychometric properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00543-0

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