The factor structure of the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test V 2.0 (MSCEIT): a meta-analytic structural equation modeling approach

Abstract

The internal structure of the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test Version 2.0 (MSCEIT) has stimulated debate lasting nearly a decade. In an attempt to synthesize accumulating yet contradictory research findings regarding its factor structure, meta-analytic structural equation modeling was employed. Nineteen correlation matrices of eight variables (N = 10,573) were included in the meta-analysis. Results of a homogeneity analysis indicated that the 19 matrices were homogenous. Although the four-factor model of ability EI had excellent fits on four different indices, it was not preferred due to a high correlation (r = .90, p < .01) between branches one and two. On this basis, a three-factor solution was proposed as best-fitting alternative model of MSCEIT structure. This work may be the first attempt to synthesize disparate results regarding the factor structure of the MSCEIT V2.0 and highlights the need for possible modifications of the Four-Branch Model of EI and/or the key instrument used in its assessment.