Testing the internal psychometric properties of a Student Demands Measure for university students

Abstract

Orientation: The Study Demands–Resources theory has become an essential framework for analysing student well-being, highlighting student demands as a significant predictor. However, existing instruments measuring student demands are often adapted from workplace settings and do not fully capture the unique challenges students face. Research purpose: This study assessed the psychometric properties of a newly developed Student Demands Measure, constructed through qualitative enquiry, by examining its factorial validity, measurement invariance, item bias and internal consistency among South African university students. Motivation for the study: To promote fair and relevant psychological assessment in higher education, it is essential to develop and validate contextually grounded, student-informed measures. Research approach/design and method: Items were developed from a prior qualitative study conducted as part of a broader initiative focused on student well-being. This qualitative study used thematic analysis to identify six themes of student demands and to generate a 40-item pool. The present study validated the resulting measure using cross-sectional data from 2434 university students across three campuses in South Africa. Main findings: The measure confirmed a six-factor structure and demonstrated strong measurement invariance across language and campus groups. Item bias was negligible, and the measure demonstrated high internal consistency. Practical/managerial implications: The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the validity and reliability of the new Student Demands Measure, offering higher education institutions a reliable tool to assess and respond to student demands using a student-centred approach. Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the limited body of knowledge on psychometrically robust instruments assessing student demands among university students in South Africa and beyond.