Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context
This study aimed to develop and validate the Scale of Attitudes towards Rodents (SARod) to measure public attitudes towards rodents in a Chilean community context. Utilizing an instrumental design, we gathered data from 497 participants using convenience sampling. The SARod, comprising 22 Likert-sca...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3239 |
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| author | Beatriz Pérez Àlex Boso Mauricio Herrera Boris Álvarez M. Cecilia Castilla |
| author_facet | Beatriz Pérez Àlex Boso Mauricio Herrera Boris Álvarez M. Cecilia Castilla |
| author_sort | Beatriz Pérez |
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| description | This study aimed to develop and validate the Scale of Attitudes towards Rodents (SARod) to measure public attitudes towards rodents in a Chilean community context. Utilizing an instrumental design, we gathered data from 497 participants using convenience sampling. The SARod, comprising 22 Likert-scale items, evaluates attitudes across four dimensions: Scientistic, Positivistic, Emotional Negativistic, and Cognitive and Behavioral Negativistic. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to examine the scale’s structure and reliability, revealing strong internal consistency (Ω > 0.8) across all factors. Results indicated that higher educational levels and increased interaction with rodents were associated with more positive attitudes, while a greater disposition towards rodent extermination correlated with more negative attitudes. No significant gender differences were observed. The SARod shows robust psychometric properties, offering a reliable tool for cross-cultural comparisons of rodent-related attitudes. This scale can inform targeted interventions and public education campaigns, promoting coexistence and effective rodent management strategies. Further research should explore the application of the SARod in diverse cultural contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6ff45df667254b77bb6fccd93d0e6bb6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-6ff45df667254b77bb6fccd93d0e6bb62024-11-26T17:45:52ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011422323910.3390/ani14223239Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean ContextBeatriz Pérez0Àlex Boso1Mauricio Herrera2Boris Álvarez3M. Cecilia Castilla4Department of Psychology, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811322, ChileDepartment of Environment, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainFaculty of Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Santo Tomás, Puerto Montt 5504749, ChileDepartment of Social Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, ChileCentro Regional de Energía y Ambiente para el Desarrollo Sustentable, CONICET-UNCA, San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca 4700, ArgentinaThis study aimed to develop and validate the Scale of Attitudes towards Rodents (SARod) to measure public attitudes towards rodents in a Chilean community context. Utilizing an instrumental design, we gathered data from 497 participants using convenience sampling. The SARod, comprising 22 Likert-scale items, evaluates attitudes across four dimensions: Scientistic, Positivistic, Emotional Negativistic, and Cognitive and Behavioral Negativistic. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to examine the scale’s structure and reliability, revealing strong internal consistency (Ω > 0.8) across all factors. Results indicated that higher educational levels and increased interaction with rodents were associated with more positive attitudes, while a greater disposition towards rodent extermination correlated with more negative attitudes. No significant gender differences were observed. The SARod shows robust psychometric properties, offering a reliable tool for cross-cultural comparisons of rodent-related attitudes. This scale can inform targeted interventions and public education campaigns, promoting coexistence and effective rodent management strategies. Further research should explore the application of the SARod in diverse cultural contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3239rodent perceptionpublic attitudesrodent managementChile |
| spellingShingle | Beatriz Pérez Àlex Boso Mauricio Herrera Boris Álvarez M. Cecilia Castilla Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context Animals rodent perception public attitudes rodent management Chile |
| title | Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context |
| title_full | Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context |
| title_short | Assessing Rodent Attitudes: The Psychometric Properties of the SARod in a Chilean Context |
| title_sort | assessing rodent attitudes the psychometric properties of the sarod in a chilean context |
| topic | rodent perception public attitudes rodent management Chile |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/22/3239 |
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