Construct Validity, Longitudinal Measurement Invariance, Incremental Validity, and Predictive Validity of the Original Grit Scale in Chinese Young Adults

• Published in: Journal of personality assessment pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Hou, Xiangling, Hu, Tianqiang, Li, Haoran, Henry, Sam, Ren, Shengtao, Xi, Juzhe, Mõttus, René
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 03.07.2024
• ISSN: 0022-3891; 1532-7752; 1532-7752
• DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2024.2367547

Although many studies have attempted to validate grit scales because of the construct's popularity, most have considered the shorter rather than the longer Original Grit Scale (Grit-O). We examined the Grit-O's construct validity, longitudinal measurement invariance, incremental validity for academic performance, and longitudinal predictive validity for subjective well-being among young Chinese. We used a cross-sectional sample of 3,322 college students and a longitudinal sample of 1,884 college students, tested twice over 10 months. The first-order factor model fit the data better than other models and showed partial configural and metric measurement invariance over time. Grit and its two facets longitudinally predicted subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, happiness, positive affect, negative affect, and depression) but had negligible incremental validity for two semesters' grades after controlling for conscientiousness. So, while the Grit-O could be a useful construct for young adults, its predictive value overlaps with a better-established construct, conscientiousness.