Development and validation of the Autonomy Scale Amsterdam

Abstract

This paper describes the development and validation of the Autonomy Scale Amsterdam (ASA). We propose that a new measure of autonomy is needed and, as such, we developed and validated an autonomy scale relevant for psychiatry. Based on literature, an expert meeting and three samples of the general population (N = 298, N = 207, N = 309) we provide evidence (a) that supports a 6-factor structure model as a better fit than alternative models with a high reliability to capture the concept of autonomy consisting of: Self-integration, Engagement with life, Goal-directedness, Self-control, External constraints and Social support, (b) for the scale's convergent and discriminant validity with constructs in autonomy's nomological network and (c) for the scale's criterion validity with well-established well-being outcomes, and (d) that the measure is not redundant with a prior measure of autonomy, the autonomy-connectedness scale, and demonstrates incremental validity in the prediction of mental health over and above an existing measure of autonomy. Taken together, the results suggest that the ASA is a useful scale that shows positive evidence of psychometric quality to measure autonomy in a sample of the general population (total N = 856), accounting for a unique predictive value over and above an existing measure of autonomy concerning several mental health outcomes. The ASA can further help our understanding of the role of autonomy in mental disorders.