MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY, 23:220–236, 2011
Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 0899-5605 print / 1532-7876 online
DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2011.559394
Evaluating the Psychometric and
Measurement Characteristics of a Measure
of Sexual Orientation Harassment
Armando X. Estrada, Tahira M. Probst, Jeremiah Brown,
and Maja Graso
Department of Psychology, Washington State UniversityVancouver,
Vancouver, Washington
We use classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) methodologies to
examine the psychometric and measurement properties of an instrument designed to
assess sexual orientation harassment among military personnel (N = 71,989). CTT
analyses indicated that items were unidimensional and exhibited adequate levels of
reliability. IRT analyses demonstrated that the items functioned similarly and exhib-
ited appropriate levels of item discrimination. However, the analyses also suggested
that the sensitivity of the items may be limited. Differential test functioning analy-
ses provided evidence of the measurement equivalence of the instrument across male
and female respondents. The findings provide support for the psychometric proper-
ties and measurement equivalence of the instrument for measuring sexual orientation
harassment among male and female military personnel. We discuss the implications
of our findings for future research on sexual orientation harassment in the workplace.
Empirical research on workplace harassment has increased dramatically in the
past two decades. Although studies to date have increased our understanding of the
nature and prevalence of sexual harassment (U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board
[USMSPB], 1988, 1995) and ethnic harassment (Scarville, Button, Edwards,
Lancaster, & Elig, 1999; Schneider, Hitlan, & Radhakrishnan, 2000), research
The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the
official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the U.S. government, or any of its agencies.
Correspondence should be addressed to Armando X. Estrada, WSUV Psychology Department,
14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver, WA 98686-9600. E-mail: aestrada1@vancouver.wsu.edu