Measurement invariance of core communication constructs across race, nationality, and age

Abstract

Communication science has been criticized for relying on WEIRD samples. One question that arises from such criticisms is whether core communication constructs and measures generalize to different demographic groups. In other words, are measures of common communication variables interpreted similarly across groups? In this study, we assess the measurement invariance of numerous scales that are used commonly in research on communication science across five U.S. racial groups, seven English-speaking countries across five continents, and four age groups that are recognized by the American Psychological Association. Results indicate that respondents from different racial, national, and age groups exhibited measurement invariance. That is, people with different backgrounds responded to scales in similar ways, thereby indicating that some core communication constructs might be generalizable across certain groups. The implications of these results are considered, while noting that the invariance framework used herein can be used to continue examining the problem of construct invariance.