The pest-management attitude (PMA) scale: a unidimensional and versatile assessment tool
Joanne P. Aley
A B E , Taciano L. Milfont C and James C. Russell A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
B Social and Behavioural Science Team, Department of Conservation, 24 Wellesley Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
C School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
D Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
E Corresponding author. Email: jaley@doc.govt.nz
Wildlife Research 47(2) 166-176 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR19094
Submitted: 30 May 2019 Accepted: 19 October 2019 Published: 11 March 2020
Abstract
Context: Pest species are a widespread environmental and biodiversity threat and understanding people’s attitudes towards managing pests is critical for nature conservation. Attitudes towards pest species and their management are often contextually dependent on the species and location, and no domain-free measure is currently available. This prevents straightforward comparisons of studies and generalisation of attitudes towards pest species globally.
Aim: Undertake initial psychometric tests of a unidimensional pest-management attitude (PMA) scale in three community samples from the two largest cities of New Zealand. The PMA scale comprises statements intentionally absent of specific reference to pest species or pest-management methods, and avoids terminology that has the potential to become outdated, as a result of evolving management methods and technology or the emergence of new pests. This broad focus aims to enable the ongoing use of the scale, within differing geographical contexts.
Method: Two studies tested the psychometric properties of the PMA scale. Tests comprise assessing the scales dimensionality through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement equivalence across samples. Internal consistency was tested through Cronbach’s α, and demographic and context-specific measures were used to validate the scale using correlation measures.
Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the nine-item, one-factor model of the PMA scale in Study 1 (n = 1190). Measurement and structural invariance of the one-factor model was confirmed across two distinct samples in Study 2 (n = 739 and 705). Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas = 0.73 to 0.81) and criterion-related validity of the PMA scale was supported in both studies, with greater PMA scores being associated with membership of a conservation or environmental organisation, active participation in conservation over the past 12 months, active actions for pest control, and not owning a pet.
Conclusions: Results demonstrated high construct and criterion validity of the PMA scale, which might have powerful global utility as a context-independent measure of attitudes to pest species and their management.
Implications: Through generalising the social components of pest management, regardless of target species or method, there is potential to unify global studies in pest management.
Additional keywords: biodiversity, community, invasive, pest control, psychometric.
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