Desenvolvimento e propriedades psicométricas da Escala Motivacional para o Porte de Arma (EMPA)

Abstract

Firearm has been a theme thoroughly discussed in the scientific literature. However, little attention has been given to the motivational and psychological aspects of its use. This study had as objective the development of an instrument capable of investigating the motivational attitudes of adults regarding firearms. Two studies were conducted. In the first Study, a review on the existent ranges in international literature was made along with focal groups made up of civilians and military relate to the motivation for using weapons. From then on, a model that contained four factors was created: “Weapon as a Risk”, “Weapon as Protection”, “Right to Carry a Weapon” and “Exhibition” and elaborated items to contemplate them. Each item was analyzed by three judges as for its semantics, clarity and theoretical pertinence. Based on the agreement and grades given by the judges, 51 items were selected which formed the first version of the Motivational Range for Carrying a Weapon (MRCW). In the second Study, MRCW was applied in 550 respondents, being 258 men (46,90%) and 292 women (53.10%). Ranging from 18 to 86 years old (Average = 28 years old, DP = 13,75 years old). The application was collective and the project was approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research. The data were analyzed through exploratory factorial analysis with the method of the main components and Varimax rotation for four factors, as the model developed in the first Study. Later empirical factorial analyses were made. After the retreat of some items (due to low saturation and commonality), a solution with 36 items was achieved, index of KMO=0.91 and significant Bartlett Test. The model explained 48% of the variance with the factors “Weapon as Protection” (13 items), “Weapon as a Risk” (11 items), “Right” (5 items) and “Exhibition” (7 items). The results of the empirical factorial analyses supported the MRCW structure found in the exploratory factorial analysis. All of the relationships among the latent and observed variables were significant, indicating that the factor contributed to the explanation of the variance of the item. Correlations among the factors were also observed. The higher the intensity in the factor “Protection” and “Right” the lower are “Risk” and “Exhibition.” In the same way, the higher the variable “Risk” and “Exhibition”, the lower is “Right.” The scores of MRCW were analyzed regarding the sex, marital status and experience with firearm. The results show psychometric indexes validity and loyalty satisfactory for MRCW, indicating that the instrument will hereafter be able to help in the process of psychological evaluation for the carrying of a weapon load and in researches.