Psychometric properties, factor structure, and validity of the multidimensional dispositional greed Assessment with undergraduate college students

Abstract

We conducted three studies examining the reliability, factor structure, and validity of Multidimensional Dispositional Greed Assessment (MDGA) scores with samples of undergraduate college students. The MDGA is an instrument developed to measure adults’ levels of dispositional greed. In study 1 (test-retest reliability; N = 150), we assessed the stability of MDGA scores over time. In study 2, we examined the stability and factor structure of the 20-item MDGA (confirmatory factor analysis; N = 2,178), and measurement invariance across demographic groups (multiple group confirmatory factor analysis) among a sample of undergraduate college students in the United States. In study 3 (multiple linear regression; N = 486), we investigated evidence of concurrent validity through measuring the relationship between MDGA and Dispositional Greed Scale scores. Through these studies, we identified evidence for good test–retest reliability for MDGA total and subscale scores. The results also provided evidence for measurement invariance of MDGA items across gender and race/ethnicity groups. Lastly, we found evidence for concurrent validity of MDGA through identifying large positive predictive relationship between MDGA and DGS total scores, while there was a weaker positive correlation with the MDGA’s more unique factor, retention motivation. We provide an overview of the implications of this study, and suggest potential areas of future research.