Reexamining the factor structure of the 20-item Toronto alexithymia scale: commentary on Gignac, Palmer, and Stough.
Gignac, Palmer, and Stough (2007/this issue) test a number of different latent factor models for the TAS-20 using a community sample of 355 participants and conclude that this scale is best represented by a "nested factors model," with five substantive factors and a method factor. Gignac et al. also report that the correlated three-factor model and a comparable higher order model supported by most studies produced poor levels of incremental close fit. In this article, we challenge Gignac et al.'s unheralded and largely unsupported use of nested model fitting and the uncritical acceptance of exceptionally high cutoff levels to assess goodness of fit (GOF). Using more traditional and empirically supported model testing procedures and a more flexible approach to the interpretation of multiple tests of GOF, we interpret Gignac et al.'s results as actually supportive of the traditional three-factor model and one that has been recovered in 17 of the 24 factor analytic studies of the TAS-20.
Bagby
R Michael
RM
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Canada. michael_bagby@camh.net
Taylor
Graeme J
GJ
Quilty
Lena C
LC
Parker
James D A
JD
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D036262:Empirical Research; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results