Testing measurement invariance across SES groups: application in the Bandung family relation test

Abstract

Adolescents from families of 3 different SES groups (Low, Medium and High) have scored their Mother and Father using the format of the Bandung Family Relations Test (BFRT). The sample consisted of 349 pupils from primary and secondary schools in Bandung (Indonesia) selected by a stratified cluster design. In order to find out whether the model of the test was invariant across SES groups, a multi group confirmatory factor analysis, by means of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) has been conducted. We found with regard to the scoring of the relationship with Mother that only one dimension (Affection) had a significant difference across SES in the comparison of Low and High SES groups. With regard to Father there were two Dimensions significantly different: Vulnerability in the comparison of Medium and High SES groups, while the Dimension of Justice gave very significant differences in all three pairs. We finish with a description of the items involved in the significant different comparisons and the interpretation of the consequences of the different scoring of these items.