Abstract:

Objective: This study tests the Turkish validity and reliability of the Pet Attitude Scale (PAS) and adapt it to Turkish society. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of students in the departments of health at a university in Western Turkey. No sampling method was used; and the entire population was included in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire on the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and the PAS, which consisted of 18 items scored between 1 and 7 under three factors: love and interaction, pets in the home, and joy of pet ownership. The construct validity of the scale was evaluated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The reliability of the PAS was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency coefficient, the item-total correlation, and the test-retest analysis. Results: The scale factors’ Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient ranged between 0.45 and 0.92, the items’ factor loads ranged between 0.51 and 0.85, and the total item correlation coefficients ranged between 0.31 and 0.77. The CFA supported the three-factor structure yielded by the EFA and showed good fit indices. Conclusion: The scale was reliable for Turkish society compared to the original PAS. The factor structure resembled the results of a reevaluation of PAS. Thus, it can be suggested that the PAS is valid and reliable for application in Turkish society.

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