Personality change through a digital-coaching intervention: Using measurement invariance testing to distinguish between trait domain, facet, and nuance change
Journal
European Journal of Personality
ISSN
0890-2070
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2022-11-27
Author(s)
Olaru, Gabriel
;
Stieger, Mirjam
;
Rüegger, Dominik
;
;
Flückiger, Christoph
;
Roberts, Brent W
;
Allemand, Mathias
Abstract
Recent intervention research has shown that personality traits can be modified through psychological interventions.
However, it is unclear whether reported effects represent changes in the trait domain or only some facets or items. Using data (N = 552) from a recent intervention trial, the present study examined the effects of a digital-coaching intervention on self- and observer-reported personality facets and items. We focused on participants who wanted to decrease in Negative Emotionality, increase in
onscientiousness or increase in Extraversion. We used measurement invariance testing to examine which level of the trait domain hierarchy changed during the intervention. For the self-reports, we found some heterogeneity in the effects on all three trait domains, but most notably Extraversion and Conscientiousness. Specifically, participants reported to increase strongly on sociability (Extraversion), and moderately on productiveness and organization (Conscientiousness), but not on the other facets of these trait domains. Observers generally reported small but non-significant
changes, with no scalar invariance violations except for Extraversion. Overall, this suggests considerable heterogeneity in intervention-related personality change that can be overlooked if only focusing on the trait domain level. We discuss the relevance of measurement invariance testing and measurement approaches for personality development and intervention research.
However, it is unclear whether reported effects represent changes in the trait domain or only some facets or items. Using data (N = 552) from a recent intervention trial, the present study examined the effects of a digital-coaching intervention on self- and observer-reported personality facets and items. We focused on participants who wanted to decrease in Negative Emotionality, increase in
onscientiousness or increase in Extraversion. We used measurement invariance testing to examine which level of the trait domain hierarchy changed during the intervention. For the self-reports, we found some heterogeneity in the effects on all three trait domains, but most notably Extraversion and Conscientiousness. Specifically, participants reported to increase strongly on sociability (Extraversion), and moderately on productiveness and organization (Conscientiousness), but not on the other facets of these trait domains. Observers generally reported small but non-significant
changes, with no scalar invariance violations except for Extraversion. Overall, this suggests considerable heterogeneity in intervention-related personality change that can be overlooked if only focusing on the trait domain level. We discuss the relevance of measurement invariance testing and measurement approaches for personality development and intervention research.
Language
English
Keywords
personality change
facets
measurement invariance
digital-coaching intervention
personality coach
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Start page
089020702211450
Official URL
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
tobias.kowatsch@unisg.ch
Eprints ID
268524
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Name
Olaru et al 2022 Personality Change Digital Coaching Intervention.pdf
Size
1.33 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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