The Infant Behavior Questionnaire Factor Structure Varies With Sample Characteristics

The Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) has been widely used to assess infant temperament traits, though there is limited empirical support for the recommended three-factor structure. The present study examined the replicability and measurement invariance in the IBQ using a large, multi-site longitudinal study of parent-child dyads (N = 357) in the United States. Temperament was reported by parents when infants were 4-, 8- and 12-months of age. Results show that the traditional three-factor structure did not fit our data well, and model modifications were needed to achieve acceptable fit. There was a high degree of covariance between the latent factors of surgency and orienting/regulation in modified three-factor models, suggesting that a modified two-factor model may be more appropriate for our data. Our findings also provide evidence that the modified three-factor structure is not invariant across sociodemographic groups. The findings highlight the need for researchers to examine the factor structure of the IBQ within their data before creating composites, especially in more diverse samples. If the three-factor structure does not replicate, we provide recommendations for alternate approaches to using the IBQ for developmental work.