Confirmatory factor analysis on the personal orientation inventory (POI)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to establish the factor structure of selfactualisation as a positive psychology construct, as measured by the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI), in order to establish whether there is a fit between the measurement and the theory. The POI was administered to 974 part-time students. Strong inter-correlations were found. Confirmatory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure consisting of (1) time competence, inner directedness, existentialism, feeling reactivity, selfacceptance and the interpersonal scales of acceptance of anger and capacity for intimate contact, (2) spontaneity and self-regard and (3) selfactualising value, nature of man and synergy. The results confirmed the twelve POI scales as separate entities but did not confirm the theory on self-actualisation in terms of the seven factors as it is conceptualised and operationalised in the POI. It was suggested that the POI should be interpreted with care in South Africa’s multicultural scenario.