Measuring assimilative and accommodative resources in young adults: Development and initial validation of suitable scales

• Existing measures of assimilative and accommodative resources show poor psychometric properties.
• New scales were developed for use with English-speaking young adults.
• The factor structure of the two 10-item scales was confirmed.
• The new scales showed good content and construct validity and internal reliability.
• Predictions from the dual-process framework can now be assessed in young adult populations.

New scales measuring assimilation and accommodation (cf. the dual-process framework) were developed for use with young adults. Experts reviewed 41 items which were then administered to 235 young adults (Mage = 22; 72% female). Exploratory factor analyses reduced these to two 10-item scales, which demonstrated high internal consistency (α > .90). Confirmatory factor analysis using a second sample (N = 236, Mage = 22; 77% female) confirmed the proposed structure. Construct validity was supported by finding correlations in the expected directions with measures of goal engagement, disengagement, re-engagement, and life satisfaction. The new scales will allow assimilative and accommodative resources to be assessed in young people.