Rasch and Confirmatory Factor Analyses of the Arabic Version of the Psychological Empowerment Scale (PsyES): A Multicultural Approach for Measurable Sustainability

Abstract

This research is focused on the well-known notion of workplace motivation known as psychological empowerment and how this may be used regarding sustainability. This research aimed to use Rasch and confirmatory factor analyses to examine the multidimensionality, reliability, and model fit of the Arabic version of the psychological empowerment scale (PsyES). A total of 579 male and female employees participated in this study. The participants were from the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. PsyES’s four constructs (meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact) and their dimensionalities were confirmed using Rasch and AMOS analyses. A total of 323 women (55.8%) and 256 men (44.2%) provided data. Most respondents were married (74.8%), followed by those who were never married (21.1%), divorced (3.1%), and widowed (1.0%). The final multidimensional scale model adequately fits the data (chi-square/df (cmin/df) = 3.55, comparative fit index = 0.97, root mean square error of approximation = 0.066, and standardized RMR = 0.035) according to the AMOS results. This multidimensional nature of PsyES was further confirmed using the Rasch model. The person and item separation indices were more than 1.5, and the Rasch analysis revealed 39 persons with a misfit. The modified rating scale’s functioning was confirmed by the item characteristic curve. The MnSq and Zstd values did not deviate from the two recognized limits or indicate that the data were consistent with the Rasch model based on the recommended indicators. This is the first study of its kind to find PsyES useful as a screening tool for psychological empowerment in its Arabic version. Its four dimensions are a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used in many measurable areas of sustainability.