Validating a 17-Item Inventory for Schwartz's Four Higher-Order Values among Chinese General Adults

This study addresses the need for a concise yet robust instrument for assessing Schwartz's four higher-order values—Openness to Change, Conservation, Self-Transcendence, and Self-Enhancement. Given that existing measures are often lengthy and impractical in cross-cultural research contexts, this study aims to validate the psychometric properties of the 17-item Higher-Order Value Scale (HOVS17) among general adults in China. Using a quantitative approach with a sample of 295 Chinese respondents, confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a strong four-factor structure, with excellent reliability and validity. The findings offer researchers a reliable, brief measurement tool suited for cross-cultural studies and practical assessments of values. Future research should further explore concurrent and predictive validity and extend the validation to diverse cultural and demographic groups.