Violent attitudes in Portugal and Canada: Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the Evaluation of Violence Questionnaire

Aggress Behav. 2024 Aug;50(5):e22175. doi: 10.1002/ab.22175.

Abstract

Theory and evidence suggest that attitudes toward violence are relevant for the explanation, prediction, and reduction of violent behavior. The purpose of the present study was to adapt a measure of violent attitudes-the Evaluation of Violence Questionnaire (EVQ)-for use in Portugal, test the cross-country equivalence, and test the validity of both versions. We found the expected one-factor structure, high internal consistency, and cross-country measurement invariance for the Portuguese and original EVQ with men in Portugal (N = 320) and Canada (N = 298). We also found the expected pattern of correlations with measures of more versus less theoretically relevant constructs: both versions of the EVQ showed the strongest correlations with overall aggression and reactive aggression; slightly lower correlations with proactive aggression; negative correlations with self-control; and the smallest correlations with self-esteem. Our results support the equivalence, reliability, and validity of the Portuguese and original versions of the EVQ.

Keywords: assessment; attitudes; measurement invariance; validation; violence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Attitude*
  • Canada
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Portugal
  • Psychometrics* / instrumentation
  • Psychometrics* / standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards
  • Violence* / psychology
  • Young Adult

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