Heterogeneity in solidarity attitudes in Europe. Insights from a multiple-group latent-class factor approach

Comparing solidarity attitudes of European citizen is highly relevant in the context of European integration and unification. Such comparisons, however, are only valid if responses to attitude questions reflect true differences in solidarity and, hence, the measurement of latent solidarity attitudes is comparable. Often comparability is assumed, rarely is it tested. We argue that establishing equivalence in measurement across cultures is as important as testing the reliability and validity of the measurement since lack of comparability may result in biased or misleading conclusions. This research presents a multiple-group latent-class factor analysis of a set of questions concerning solidarity towards different social groups, taken from the 1999/2000 wave of European Value Study. This multiple-group comparison revealed that homogeneity in attitude measurement is not established. Countries can only be compared if particular direct effects of country on items are estimated. Country ranking on solidarity factors substantially changed when this source of construct inequivalence was taken into account.