Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Gudjonsson compliance scale: scale validation and associations with mental health

Abstract

Background: Trait compliance involves people reacting favorably to demands made by others across different situations. This may lead to susceptibility to external pressures, exploitation, and manipulation. Moreover, trait compliance was found to correlate with various mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety. The Gudjonsson Compliance Scale (GCS) is an efficient tool for assessing trait compliance in Western contexts. To date, no study has validated the psychometric properties of the GCS in Chinese populations. Methods: Two college student samples from China were recruited. The first sample (N = 4,276) was used to conduct exploratory factor analysis. The second (N = 4,356) was used to perform a confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability, measurement invariance, and correlational tests were conducted on the two combined samples. Results: The Chinese GCS showed a 3-factor structure, with two items deleted. Reliability was supported by moderate-to-good internal consistency of the three-factor scales and good internal consistency on the full scale. Strong measurement invariance across sex, ethnicity, and group recruitment was supported. Scores of the total scale and factor scales were found to significantly associated with several mental health problems. Conclusions: The Chinese version of the GCS appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring trait compliance and could promote both the assessment and research on compliance in Chinese population.