Psychometric Properties of Czech Versions of Academic and Social Selection, Optimization and Compensation Questionnaires

Abstract

The study deals with the psychometric characteristics of the Czech versions of Academic and Social Selection, Optimization and Compensation (SOC) questionnaires.  Self-report data were collected in a sample of 618 university students aged between 19 and 30 years. McDonald’s omega coefficient was used for reliability estimation; construct validity was tested by confirmatory factor analysis and principal component analysis. Criterion validity was tested in a series of regression analyses. The instruments showed adequate reliability, ranging from 0.73 to 0.84 for Academic SOC and from 0.70 to 0.79 for Social SOC scales. Confirmatory factor analysis did not corroborate the original model proposed by Geldhof et al. (2012), except for the Loss-Based Selection factor. Post-hoc exploratory principal component analysis further supported these results. It turned out that the items were clustered according to different criteria compared to the original dimensions. Our results are in line with more recent findings, pointing to differences in the structure and employment of SOC strategies in young and older adults. We recommend that the Academic and Social SOC are revised in accordance with these recent findings and other methodological considerations.