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Research Note

Measuring High-Quality Work Relationships

A Test of Model and Gender Invariance

Published Online:January 09, 2019https://doi.org/10.1027/1866-5888/a000217

Abstract

Abstract. Research on high-quality relationships (HQR) between coworkers has garnered considerable interest, yet the original HQR measure (Carmeli, 2009) has been adapted in disparate ways (e.g., including vs. omitting the vitality subscale). Continued application is further complicated by incomplete reporting on the measure’s factor structure. Relatedly, findings that women often experience relationships differently than men highlight the need to test whether the HQR measure functions similarly across genders. We surveyed 401 employees (50% women) to test four competing models and examine invariance across genders. Findings revealed that HQR is best conceptualized as six distinct but correlated constructs. Further, full scalar invariance was observed across genders, indicating that the measure functioned equivalently and can be used in gender comparisons involving HQR constructs.

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