A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Cross Racial Identity Scale (CRIS) Scores Testing the Expanded Nigrescence Model

In this study, the authors tested the viability of the expanded nigrescence (NT-E) model as operationalized by Cross Racial Identity Scale (CRIS) scores using confirmatory factor analyses. Participants were 594 Black college students from the Southeastern United States. Results indicated a good fit for NT-E's proposed six-factor structure. One-factor and two-factor higher-order models also yielded good fit indices, although several coefficients in the one-factor higher-order model were not salient or statistically significant. In sum, the results provide strong support for the CRIS as an operationalization of NT-E. The authors suggest that CRIS scores can be used in studies concerned with drawing inferences about the effects of racial identity attitudes.