Psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II among Kenyan adolescents

Natalie E Johnson; Daisy Nerima; Ngina Kahura; Tom L Osborn

doi:10.3389/fsoc.2023.1189915

Psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II among Kenyan adolescents

Front Sociol. 2023 Nov 22:8:1189915. doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2023.1189915. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Natalie E Johnson^{1

2

3}, Daisy Nerima¹, Ngina Kahura¹, Tom L Osborn¹

Affiliations

¹ Shamiri Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
² Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
³ Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Abstract

Introduction: Curiosity is a fundamental trait that drives exploration, motivation, learning, and growth. However, research on this character strength in sub-Saharan African populations is very scarce. To address this gap in the literature, we sought to determine the psychometric properties of the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory- II (CEI-II), a measure for trait curiosity, to provide evidence of validity for its use in research among populations in sub-Saharan Africa. We also aimed to assess for demographic and psychosocial correlates of curiosity among Kenyan high school students.

Methods: A sample of 375 participants in Kenya completed the CEI-II, as well as demographic information on sex, age, form in school, psychosocial measures of depression, anxiety, school climate, and social support. Using cross-sectional data, parallel analysis, scree plot, and structural equation modeling were used to determine the factor structure of the CEI-II among the Kenyan adolescent population.

Results: A one-factor solution was found to be the best fitting model, differing from the two-factor structure found in the original development of the measure. Internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and predictors of trait curiosity were also examined. The CEI-II demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent validity with social support from family, friends, significant others, and school climate. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by the non-significant correlation between curiosity and depression. A hierarchical regression model showed that curiosity was significantly predicted by social support from family, significant others, school climate, and anxiety, with males being more curious than females.

Discussion: The CEI-II is a valid measurement tool to capture trait curiosity in Kenyan adolescents, and our findings provide insight into the relationship between curiosity and other psychosocial factors in this population.

Keywords: Kenya; character strengths; curiosity; measurement; mental health; sub-Saharan Africa; wellness.

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Harvard University’s Mind, Brain, and Behavior interfaculty initiative.