Assessing the Cross-Cultural Validity of the Succession, Identity and Consumption (SIC) Scale across Four French-Speaking Countries

Abstract

French-speaking countries are aging fast, forcing them to accommodate their older population and, most likely, generating ageism. The present study aims to investigate this issue by examining the cross-cultural validity of a scale assessing prescriptive ageism: the Succession, Identity, Consumption scale. In four French-speaking countries (Canada, France, Belgium and Switzerland), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) results reveal the suitability of both a three-factor 15-item model and a higher-order factor model. Multiple-group CFA revealed measurement invariance of both models across countries. MIMIC (Multiple Indicators MultIple Causes) modeling showed that the Canadians obtained the highest ageism scores, followed by the French, Belgians, and Swiss. Second, using dynamic indicators of socioeconomic parameters, we observed that rapid aging populations and additional pressure on the workforce could be viewed as key factors for understanding global ageism as well as succession and consumption-based prescriptions.