Psychometric Evaluation of the German Version of the Motivations to Eat Meat Inventory (MEMI)

Abstract: Background: The Motivations to Eat Meat Inventory (MEMI) assesses four motives for eating meat: Natural, Necessary, Normal, and Nice. This study aims to psychometrically evaluate the German MEMI. Methods: We reanalyzed data from two German-speaking samples ( N = 389; N = 1,498) who completed the MEMI online, one with an importance-based (Sample 1), one with an agreement-based (Sample 2) response format. We ran confirmatory factor analyses, tested measurement invariance, and examined validity. Results: Across both samples, bifactor models showed the best fit, with slightly better fit in Sample 1 but acceptable fit in both formats. Measurement invariance across gender, age, and education largely supported factorial validity. Results suggested acceptable convergent validity. Regarding discriminant validity, a strong general factor underpinned responses, with Normal and Nice explaining meaningful additional variance. Nice meaningfully predicted meat consumption. Limitations: Results are limited by sample differences. Conclusions: The German MEMI is a valid tool to assess motivations to eat meat and best modeled with a bifactor structure.