Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Human Trafficking: A Psychometric Evaluation

Abstract

Human trafficking is an urgent health threat. This study sought to psychometrically validate the novel Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Human Trafficking scale. Using data from a 2018 study of pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (n=777), this secondary analysis examined dimensionality and reliability of the survey. The Cronbach α for scale constructs was < 0.7 for knowledge and 0.78 for attitudes. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses identified a bifactor model for knowledge with relative fit indexes within standard cutoffs, root mean square error of approximation=0.03, comparative fit index=0.95, Tucker-Lewis index=0.94, and standardized root mean square residual=0.06. The attitudes construct indicated a 2-factor model with root mean square error of approximation=0.04, comparative fit index=0.99, Tucker-Lewis index=0.98, and standardized root mean square residual=0.06, within standard cutoffs. The scale is a promising tool in advancing nursing response to trafficking but needs further refinement to increase utility and uptake.