Cross-situational consistency among problem adolescents: An application of the two-factor model

Conducted a study to measure cross-situational consistency of the orthogonal dimensions of the 2-factor model of social-emotional functioning. According to this model, large proportions of variance in social-emotional functioning can be accounted for by 2 orthogonal, highly replicable dimensions. Ss were 206 residents of a long-term institution for emotionally disturbed and delinquent youths; they represented various ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Cross-situational correlations between school and cottage settings were found to be .52 for Factor 2 (Cooperation-Compliance vs Anger-Defiance) and .42 for Factor 1 (Interest-Participation vs Apathy-Withdrawal). Results confirm the consistency and discriminant validity hypotheses--specifically, correlations between the corresponding factors of different instruments measuring behavior in different settings were large, whereas correlations between noncorresponding factors were very low. The value of using broad, higher order factors in personality research on the trait vs situation issue is discussed. (25 ref)