For the good of all: Differential item functioning in the Altruism Scale (child) among Black adolescents
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Quality measures of prosocial behavior, such as altruism, are key to understanding and supporting positive developmental trajectories among youth. For altruistic behavior, quality measurement requires further consideration of adolescents’ social identities, including gender, adolescent stage, and race. To build validity evidence needed to compare scores between groups of Black adolescents, we investigated differential item functioning (DIF) in a popular measure of altruism across gender and age – the Altruism Scale – Child (AS-C). We found evidence of negligible DIF across gender and non-negligible DIF across adolescent stages in the AS-C. We discuss racial-gender role adherence and socialization, as well as age-appropriate measurement as necessary considerations to conceptualize and measure Black adolescents’ altruism. Given the dearth of research examining Black adolescent altruism amidst gendered and racialized oppression, exploring measurement invariance using DIF offers evidence for score interpretation to enrich research and interventions supporting Black youth’s positive development.
Source: Applied Developmental Science
Authors: Kayla J. Fike, Kyle Nickodem
Institutions: Vanderbilt University, University of Minnesota
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4410955911