Design and Psychometric Evaluation of Students’ Attitude Scale to the Disadvantages of Delay in Marriage

Abstract

Measuring attitudes requires a valid instrument based on the culture of that society. Given the lack of such an instrument in Iran, this study designed and psychometrically evaluated an instrument to assess attitudes toward the disadvantages of delaying marriage among Iranian students. This methodological study was conducted from November 2023 to July 2024 among 639 students. After reviewing the existing literature and interviewing students, an initial instrument consisting of 91 items was designed. Content validity was measured using the opinions of 10 experts. Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed using SPSS, AMOS, and R. After examining the content validity, the initial 91 items were reduced to 33 items. The exploratory factor analysis ultimately revealed 16 items with four factors: exposure to negative consequences of promiscuity, dissatisfaction with the current situation, feeling helpless, and concerns about childbearing. These factors jointly accounted for 52.22% of the observed variance. Cronbach's alpha was >0.7. The designed 16-item instrument has acceptable psychometric properties for assessing students’ attitudes toward the disadvantages of delaying marriage.