Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory by Glick and Fiske in a Sample of Costa Rican Women

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22544/rcps.v44i02.16

Keywords:

ASI, Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, Ambivalent Sexism, Measurement Invariance, Validity, Bifactor Analysis, psychometric properties

Abstract

Studying sexism is fundamental to understanding gender gaps. According to Glick and Fiske (1996), in Ambivalent Sexism (AS), benevolent and hostile attitudes towards women coexist. To evaluate it, the aforementioned authors developed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), which has numerous studies that support its psychometric properties, especially with university students. In Costa Rica, research on this topic is scarce. Therefore, this study developed an adaptation of the ASI (ASI_A), in a group with a sociodemographic profile not previously addressed: non-university female students from a public educational institution outside San José. According to the analyses commonly reported in the literature, the ASI_A presented adequate psychometric properties (reliability, validity related to internal structure and discriminant capacity, strict measurement invariance). To assess its dimensionality, a hierarchical approach was implemented with a Bifactor model, the application of which was hasn not been reported in the literature reviewed about ASI. Unexpectedly, this analysis reflected a predominantly unidimensional structure, with some contribution from the Benevolent Sexism subscale. The implications of the results in the Costa Rican context and in the literature in general were discussed.

Author Biographies

Tomás Vargas-Halabi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

Psychologist with 20 years of academic experience in organizational psychology and behavioral neuroscience, he is a full professor at the University of Costa Rica, where he teaches the Biological Bases of Behavior course. He has also taught courses in work psychology and quantitative and qualitative research methodology, and has participated in various academic management initiatives. His professional experience and research include organizational culture, competency models, behavioral interviewing, innovation, ambivalent sexism, personality, inclusion, job insecurity, dignity at work, and precarious employment, using various statistical analysis methods, including composite structural equation modeling to model behavioral repertoires. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (University of Costa Rica), a Master's degree in Business Administration (Technological Institute of Costa Rica), and a Doctorate in Business Administration (University of Valencia).

Marcela León-Madrigal, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica

¨Psychologist with extensive experience in university teaching, research, and clinical practice from a behavioral perspective, with a special interest in social issues. For the past 20 years, she has been a professor at the School of Psychology at the University of Costa Rica, where she has taught various courses, including the Behaviorism module of the Theories and Systems course. She has published in academic journals and has given lectures and training on topics such as eating disorders, mental health, and Behavior Therapy. She holds a Master's degree in Behavior Therapy and a Master's degree in Social and Family Violence Studies, awarded by the UNED in Spain and the University of Costa Rica, respectively. Her current research interests include the behavioral management of issues such as autism and the impact of working conditions on people's health.

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Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Vargas-Halabi, T., & León-Madrigal, M. (2025). Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory by Glick and Fiske in a Sample of Costa Rican Women. Costa Rican Journal of Psychology, 44(2), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.22544/rcps.v44i02.16