Further examination and refinement of the psychometric properties of the MEOCS with data from reserve component personnel

We examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of equal opportunity climate (EOC) scales of the Military Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (MEOCS) with data from reserve component personnel. We tested a five-factor model and examined validity evidence for the 50-item version and a shortened 17-item version of the EOC scales in two separate studies (N1=210; N2=951). Results of confirmatory factor analyses supported four of the five hypothesized factors, which included sexual harassment behaviors (SHB), differential command behaviors, positive command behaviors (PCB) and racist-sexist behaviors (RSB). Validity evidence suggested that while positive perceptions of EOC were associated with increased levels of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and perceived workgroup effectiveness; positive command behaviors and SHB were the strongest predictors of these outcomes in Study 1; whereas PCB and RSB were the strongest predictors of these outcomes in Study 2. The findings provide empirical support for the EOC scale for the reserve component and suggest the EO climate, as operationalized and measured in the MEOCS, can be measured with a brief 17-item version of the EOC scales.