Testing the Validity of the Health Mavenness Self-Report Measure with Self-Other Correlations

Abstract

The three superdiffuser traits (health maven, connector, persuader) are identified using a self-report measure. The construct validity of the health maven measure requires that the health maven’s social network perceive the health maven to be a health maven. To test this validity hypothesis, a sample of 98 pairs of people who knew each other was drawn such that one member completed the self-reported superdiffuser measures and the other completed a modified version targeted at the other person. Closeness was also measured as a potential moderator. The self-other correlation for the health maven measure was positive, medium in size, and unmoderated. The self-other correlation for the connector scale was moderated by closeness such that it was stronger among closer pairs.