Dimensions of Attitudes toward Women in the Military: Factor Analysis of the Women in the Military Scale

Abstract

This study describes the factor structure of the Women in the Military Scale and compares scores obtained on 127 women surveyed approximately three years after the conclusion of the Gulf war with scores from 97 women surveyed during the war. Factor analysis yielded three primary factors reflecting equal competence of women and men in the military, having children in the context of military life, and family role and the place of women in combat. No difference in over-all scores was obtained between the two groups of women.