Latent mean differences in the facets of achievement motivation of undergraduate students and adult workers in the US

The multidimensional Achievement Motivation Inventory (AMI; Schuler, Thornton, Frintrup, & Mueller-Hanson, 2004) was used to compare achievement motivation of undergraduate students and working adults at the facet level. The AMI displayed measurement invariance across both groups as indicated by multiple group confirmatory factor analysis. Analysis of latent mean differences found students had higher levels of Ambition, while adults had higher levels of Self-Assurance and Self-Control. Findings suggest that multidimensional assessments of achievement motivation can reconcile contradictions in previous research regarding age differences.