Échale ganas: Initial development and validation of a grit scale for a Hispanic population

Date

2021-05

Authors

Rocha, Lauren

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Abstract

Grit is the perseverance towards a long-term goal while overcoming challenges (Duckworth et al. 2007). Since it is a character trait that is about endurance, resilience, and perspective, it has been the subject of measuring within people (Crede, 2017; Datu & McInerney, 2017). Duckworth and colleagues (2007) developed a two-factor, eight-item Grit Scale (Grit-O) to measure grit through perseverance and passion. However, Duckworth and colleagues (2007) did not consider the multicultural influences for perseverance. For instance, individuals from collectivist cultures are motivated to persevere when the result will help their family instead of only themselves. I used the collectivistic aspects of the Hispanic culture to develop a new grit instrument that is culturally appropriate. I used Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to collect a purposeful sample from the United States Hispanic demographic. I conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with a sample of 336 Hispanic participants and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a sample of 250 Hispanic participants. I check for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency. I also conducted a bivariate correlation analysis to show convergent validity. The EFA results produced a four-factor, 15-item scale that accounts for 41.29% of variance, which I confirmed as a good fit with the CFA. The four factors in the Bicultural Grit Scale include Intuitive Flow, Conscious Endurance, Commit to Action, and Community Affirmation. The reliability alpha coefficient is .88, making the instrument suitable for research. Grit is an innate response to challenges that still includes a sense of self-awareness for positive and hopeful cognitions. The results of the current study show that goals to improve family and community life are part of those innate responses and hopeful cognitions. Therefore, the four factors reveal the salience of family, peer, and community support in collectivistic cultures when persevering. The support contributes to maintaining a perspective and concrete goal. The current study contributes to Datu and McInerny’s (2017) question about the differences in grit cultures when considering non-White cultures. Additionally, the Bicultural Grit Scale is reliable and valid for research use among Hispanic participants in the United States.

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grit, hispanic, instrument development, latina, latino

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