Psychometrics of the Gratitude Questionnaire-6 in African-Americans at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Psychometrics of the Gratitude Questionnaire-6, which measures dispositional gratitude, was originally estimated in healthy college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the scales’ factor structure, convergent/divergent validity, and reliability among 298 AA adults at risk for CVD in the community. Analyses were performed using bivariate correlations, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. The scale demonstrated acceptable estimates for internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.729). Our exploratory factor analysis results yielded a one-factor structure consistent with the original instrument, and the confirmatory factor analysis model was a good fit. Convergent/divergent validity was supported by the association with positive affect (coefficient = 0.482, 95% CI = [0.379, 0.573], spiritual well-being (coefficient = 0.608, 95% CI = [0.519, 0.685], and depressive symptoms (coefficient = −0.378, 95% CI = [−0.475, −0.277]. Findings supported the scale’s reliability and convergent/divergent validity among AAs at risk for CVD.