Gender Invariance Of Family, School, And Peer Influence On Volunteerism Scale

Abstract

Objective: This article examines the measurement invariance of Family, School, and Peer Influence on Volunteerism Scale (FSPV) across genders using the mean and covariance structure analysis approach. Method: A total of 2,845 Chinese high school adolescents aged 11 to 15 years completed the FSPV scale. Results: Results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are consistent with those of previous studies and support the four-factor model of the FSPV scale in each gender. Multiple-group CFA demonstrates the gender invariance of factor pattern, factor loadings, factor covariances, and intercepts of the measured variables across samples. The empirical findings indicate that male adolescents perceive more influences on volunteerism from families, schools, and peers than female counterparts. Both groups perceive extrinsic influence to be similar. Conclusion: The FSPV scale is gender invariant and can be used in assessing the perceived influence of social systems on volunteer service participation among Chinese adolescents for both genders.