Using a structural equation model to assess the equivalence between assessment instruments: the dimension of sensation seeking as measured by Zuckerman’s SSS-V and Arnett’s AISS

The aim of this instrumental study is to analyze the degree of equivalence between the construct of sensation seeking as measured by Sensation Seeking Scale form V, SSS-V and Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking, AISS. A structural equation model is employed in order to analyze the equivalence. The study includes 322 participants aged between 18 and 77. First, the equivalence between the SSS-V and the AISS was analyzed using the total sample. Second, two different age groups were established (1830 years old age group, n = 183; and 40-77 years old age group, n = 84), assessing the degree of equivalence in both cases. Based on the total sample and the 40-77 years old age group the results suggest that both instruments are not measuring the same dimension. However, in the 18-30 years old age group the disattenuated correlation obtained by the structural equation model was estimated to be 1.00, which means that, the SSS-V and AISS measure essentially the same dimension for this age group. These results are discussed taking into account the theoretical proposal of Zuckerman and Arnett, and the content (items) of the SSS-V and AISS.