Content Validity, Factor Structure and Gender Invariance of Belongingness Orientation Scale

The purpose of present study was to investigate the psychometric characteristics of Belongingness Orientation scale (Lavigne et al, 2011). The research method of this study was correlation and test validation. The statistical population of the study consisted of students of Birjand University (6657 girls and 5691 boys). A total of 292 people (147 women, 145 men) were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Participants completed Belongingness Orientation Scale (BOS), Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS-IDL) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory and intergroup factor analysis, and multiple regression using SPSS.16, and Amos.20 software. Results showed that the structure of two factors that explain 54.34% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed this structure. The factor structure of the scale was invariant by gender. The internal consistency of the scale was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha and split-half coefficients. Predictive validity in relation to subjective vitality and psychological distress was confirmed. In general, it can be concluded that the belongingness orientation scale has a good validity and reliability in students and can be used as a precise instrument in this regard.