Assessing similarity of meaning at the individual and country level: An investigation of a measure of Independent and Interdependent Self

Abstract

The question was addressed as to whether individual-level and country-level score differences of a measure of the Independent and Interdependent Self, the Adult Sources of Self-Esteem Inventory (ASSEI) have the same meaning, using two-level exploratory factor analysis in a group of 5,258 college students and other adults from 19 countries. A two-factor solution based on factors interpreted as representing the Independent and Interdependent Self was highly similar at the individual and country levels, suggesting the applicability and similarity of meaning of the factors at both levels. The factors differed from the common conceptualization of interdependence in that at both levels the Independent Self involved both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, while the Interdependent Self was narrowed down to unselfishness and being a good member of the family, community, and society. Finally, it was found that the two factors were not retrieved in all countries, indicating that the ASSEI did not measure the same in all countries. © 2006 Hogrefe & Huber Publishers.