Validation of the Chinese Cultural Tightness-Looseness Scale and General Tightness-Looseness Scale

Jie Leng; Hang Ma; Xiaojun Lv; Ping Hu

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1131868

Validation of the Chinese Cultural Tightness-Looseness Scale and General Tightness-Looseness Scale

Front Psychol. 2023 Apr 18:14:1131868. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1131868. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jie Leng¹, Hang Ma¹, Xiaojun Lv¹, Ping Hu¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to revise the Cultural Tightness-Looseness Scale (CTLS) and General Tightness-Looseness Scale (GTLS), and explore the group heterogeneity of tightness-looseness perception in Chinese populations.

Methods: Sample 1 (n = 2,388) was used for item analysis and exploratory factor analysis, and sample 2 (n = 2,385) was used for confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis. Sample 3 (n = 512) was used for the reliability test and criterion validity test, among which 162 participants were used for the test-retest reliability examination after a four-week interval. Measurements included the CTLS, GTLS, International Personality Item Pool, Personal Need for Structure Scale, and Campbell Index of Well-Being.

Results: The revised CTLS contained four items and retained a single-dimensional structure. The revised GTLS consisted of eight items divided into two dimensions: Compliance with Norms and Social Sanctions. Latent profile analysis extracted two profiles on both CTLS and GTLS scores, indicating that the sample can be divided into two subgroups: high and low perception of tightness.

Discussion: The Chinese versions of the CTLS and GTLS can be used as valid and reliable measures of tightness-looseness perception in a Chinese population.

Keywords: cultural tightness–looseness; general tightness–looseness; latent profile analysis; validation; well-being.