Normative studies with the Scale for Interpersonal Behaviour (SIB): II. USstudents - A cross-cultural comparison with Dutch data

The Scale for Interpersonal Behaviour (SIB), a multidimensional, self-repor t measure of state assertiveness, was administered to a nationwide sample o f 2375 undergraduates enrolled at I I colleges and universities across the USA. The SIB was developed in the Netherlands for the independent assessmen t of both distress associated with self-assertion in a variety of social si tuations and the likelihood of engaging in a specific assertive response. T his is done with four factorially-derived, first-order dimensions: (i) Disp lay of negative feelings (Negative assertion); (ii) Expression of and deali ng with personal limitations; (iii) Initiating assertiveness; and (iv) Prai sing others and the ability to deal with compliments/praise of others (Posi tive assertion). The present study was designed to determine the cross-nati onal invariance of the original Dutch factors and the construct validity of the corresponding dimensions. It also set out to develop norms for a natio nwide sample of US students. The results provide further support for the re liability, factorial and construct validity of the SIB. Compared to their D utch equivalents, US students had meaningfully higher distress in assertive ness scores on all SIB scales (medium to large effect sizes), whereas diffe rences on the performance scales reflected small effect sizes. The cross-na tional differences in distress scores were hypothesized to have originated from the American culture being more socially demanding with respect to int erpersonal competence than the Dutch, and from the perceived threats and re lated cognitive appraisals that are associated with such demands. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.