A LATENT TRAIT ANALYSIS OF THE EYSENCK PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE IN AN ELDERLY COMMUNITY SAMPLE

A latent trait model was fitted to the responses of a large probability sample of elderly Australians to the Extraversion and Neuroticism scales of the short form of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R). Item parameters obtained were compared to those available from comparable analyses of a younger sample in order to detect item bias. While some evidence of differential functioning between younger and older groups was found, the measurement properties of these scales in older persons were confirmed. The comparable functioning of the instrument in both groups that scores on these scales may be validly compared across the adult life span.