The Limitations and Strengths of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale as a Measure of Correctional Employees' Attitudes: A Psychometric Evaluation International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology

• NCJ Number: 252512
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 62 Issue: 12 Dated: 2018 Pages: 3947-3964
• Author(s): Breanna Boppre; Jody Sundt; Emily J. Salisbury
• Date Published: 2018
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2012-SM-BX-0004
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
• Publication Format: Article; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), an instrument originally designed for mental health professionals to measure correctional employees' readiness to implement EBPs.

Abstract

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) hold tremendous potential for improving the outcomes of corrections interventions. The implementation of EBPs requires support from staff at all levels of an organization; however, the study of correctional staff attitudes toward organizational change and EBPs is in its infancy. The results of the current study yielded mixed conclusions regarding the use of the EBPAS with correctional staff. It found that the total scale and subscales are reliable and exhibit high internal consistency; however, the results of an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the factor structure from previous research with mental health providers. The findings indicate potential drawbacks regarding the construct validity of the EBPAS for use with correctional personnel. (publisher abstract modified)