Measurement invariance of the Servant Leadership Questionnaire across K-12 principal gender

Abstract

Measurement invariance of the five-factor Servant Leadership Questionnaire between female and male K-12 principals was tested using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. A sample of 956 principals (56.9% were females and 43.1% were males) was analysed in this study. The hierarchical multi-step measurement invariance test supported the measurement invariance of the five-factor model across gender. Latent factor means were compared between females and males when measurement invariance was established. Results showed that females were significantly higher than males on emotional healing, wisdom, persuasive mapping and organisational stewardship, and they were not statistically different on altruistic calling.

Keywords:

• measurement invariance
• Servant Leadership Questionnaire
• gender
• principals
• confirmatory factor analysis

Acknowledgements

The authors thank our respective universities, University of Central Florida and Texas State University, for institutional support during development of this manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Lihua Xu, Ph.D., is a Lecturer of the Methodology, Measurement and Analysis programme at the University of Central Florida. She has a BA and a MA in TESOL/Linguistics from China, and a Ph.D. in Research, Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics from Oklahoma State University.

Trae Stewart, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Education and Community Leadership Programme at Texas State University. Dr Stewart can be contacted at [email protected] or via www.traestewart.com.

Paige Haber-Curran, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Student Affairs in Higher Education programme at Texas State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego. Dr. Haber-Curran can be reached by email at [email protected] or via www.paigehaber-curran.com.