Psychometric properties evaluation of the Psychological Empowerment Instrument in a Brazilian context.

Abstract

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Psychological Empowerment Instrument among Brazilian nurses. The Psychological Empowerment Instrument-Brazil is a structured questionnaire that aims to measure the psychological empowerment in the work environment. A methodological study involving 219 nurses. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the factor structure validity of the Psychological Empowerment Instrument-Brazil. Model fit indices and saliences of factor loadings were assessed. The convergent validity was estimated using the average variance extracted and composite reliability. The correlational analysis was verified using the Spearman Correlation between the Psychological Empowerment Instrument-Brazil and other specific tools. Discriminant validity, internal consistency, test-retest and floor/ceiling effects were also assessed. Factor structure indices of the second-order hierarchical model were [λ=0.47-0.84; χ2 /df=1.84, GFI=0.93, CFI=0.96, TLI=0.94, RMSEA=0.06 (90% CI=0.04-0.08)]. Model refinement was not required. All subscales presented suitable average variance extracted, composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha, except the Impact subscale (0.39; composite reliability=0.65, α=0.63). All correlations between Psychological Empowerment Instrument-Brazil and the other questionnaires were significant. Psychometric properties of the Psychological Empowerment Instrument-Brazil were suitable when applied to Brazilian nurses. Psychological Empowerment Instrument-Brazil supports the evaluation of the empowerment level, as well as the applicability of the psychological empowerment in the work environment of Brazilian nurses.