Factor structure of the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid among Latina/o/x Adolescents

Abstract

Measuring sexual orientation involves assessing multiple domains to account for the various conceptualizations adolescents may have. The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) the factor structure and reliability of the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG) and (2) measurement invariance across age and nativity groups. Participants included 454 Latina/o/x adolescents [25.3% Latina/o/x sexual minority youth (LSMY) and 74.7% Latina/o/x non-SMY]. We examined the hypothesized factor structure of the KSOG using confirmatory factor analysis and the configural, metric, and scalar invariance of the identified factor structure was examined between age (12–14 and 15–17) and nativity (U.S. born and foreign-born) groups. A single factor captured: identity, attraction, emotional connection, and fantasies (CFI/RMSEA = 1.00/.000). We found evidence for metric noninvariance suggesting that sexual orientation as a latent construct does not perform equivalently among Hispanic adolescents who are younger versus older (Δχ²(3) = 106.01, p < 0.001, ΔCFI = 0.041, ΔTLI = 0.064, and ΔRMSEA = 0.154) or adolescents who are U.S. born versus foreign-born (Δχ²(3) = 10.34, p < 0.05, ΔCFI = 0.003, ΔTLI = 0.002, and ΔRMSEA = 0.011). The KSOG may not be used equivalently among older and younger Latina/o/x adolescents and Latina/o/x adolescents who are U.S. born and foreign-born.

Keywords:

• Sexual orientation
• measurement
• latina/o/x
• age
• nativity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, A.L., upon reasonable request and signed data use agreement.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse under Grant R01DA04075605.

Notes on contributors

Alyssa Lozano

Dr. Alyssa Lozano is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her research interests include addressing inequities in substance use and mental health outcomes among Hispanic sexual minority youth.

Manuel A. Ocasio

Dr. Manuel Ocasio is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Section of Adolescent Medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine. His research interests include addressing sexual health inequities for sexual and gender minorities who are also ethnic/racial minorities.

Ahnalee M. Brincks

Dr. Ahnalee Brincks is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University. Her research centers on the use of complex statistical methods to address important scientific questions in the prevention of substance use and mental illness.

Audrey Harkness

Dr. Audrey Harkness is an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her program of research is focused on developing, adapting, and evaluating interventions and implementation strategies to achieve health equity among key populations affected by HIV and mental health disparities.

Tatiana Perrino

Dr. Tatiana Perrino is a Professor of Clinical at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies. Dr. Perrino is prevention scientist whose work focuses on promoting child and adolescent mental health, particularly in communities that are disproportionately affected.

Guillermo Prado

Dr. Guillermo Prado is a Professor in Nursing and Health Studies, Public Health Sciences, and Psychology at the University of Miami. His research focuses on developing, evaluating, and translating preventive interventions for addressing smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, HIV, and obesity health disparities among Hispanic youth.