REFLEXIVITY MEASURED THROUGH THREE DIMENSIONS: CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF THE PERSONAL REFLEXIVITY SCALE IN THE SOCIAL AND HEALTH CARE FIELD IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Abstract
1.Objectives
The aim of this article is to present construct validity of a three-dimensional Personal Reflexivity Scale (PRS) with a special focus on multi-professional comparisons of reflexivity with other (e.g. contextual) factors in social and health services. 2. Sample and Settings
The tool for construct validation was developed by exploratory analysis of data obtained in 2019 on the Czech adult population from the age of 18 (N=1018). These data included the three original (broader) versions of the scales measuring reflectivity, awareness and empathy (SRIS, PHLMS and DE14).
For the construct validation of the short version of PRS in total 730 Czech social workers and nurses were interviewed through an online questionnaire. The sample was expertise based, the data were collected during the COVID pandemic from May 2021 to January 2022. 3. Hypothesis
The expectation was that explored dimensions and items of the three original instruments (SRIS, PHLMS, DE14) are relevant for measuring three different facets of reflexivity, which could be combined, and it is possible to prepare a single summarizing tool for measuring personal reflexivity (PRS). 4. Statistical analysis
The confirmatory factor analysis and scale reliability (McDonald's omega) was conducted to evaluate the construct validity of the three dimensions of PRS on the sample of nurses and social workers. In some cases, the original instruments were modified (through the correlated residuals). 5.Results
The result of the described steps is the proposal for a shorter personal reflexivity scale with three conceptualized dimensions - intentional reflectivity, present moment reflexivity and relational reflexivity. The construct validation shows that the scale is particularly relevant for research on social workers and nurses. 6. Limitations
The first limitation is the fact that the study is restricted only to the Czech Republic. The question is also whether the instrument will be functional for groups other than social workers and nurses; this aspect will need verification. From the data for the general Czech Republic, we recognized that the instrument would also be functional for the general population.
It must be considered also that the data were collected during different waves of the COVID epidemic, which may have slightly affected the comparability of the data.