Epistemic Orientation Short Scale: Development and Validity Evidence in a Sample of Psychotherapists

• Published in: Paidéia cadernos de Psicologia e Educação 2018, Vol.28
• Main Authors: Palma, Emanuel Missias Silva, Gondim, Sônia Maria Guedes, Aguiar, Carolina Villa Nova
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior; Behavior Patterns; Cognition & reasoning; Education; Educational Researchers; Empiricism; Epistemology; factor analysis; Knowledge; measurement; Professional Education; PSYCHOLOGY; PSYCHOLOGY, EDUCATIONAL; PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; psychotherapists; Psychotherapy; Rationalism; Researchers; Therapists; Thinking Skills; Validity
• ISSN: 0103-863X; 1982-4327; 1982-4327
• DOI: 10.1590/1982-4327e2817

Abstract Epistemic orientation refers to the preferred mode of accessing and using knowledge and is a construct of growing interest in psychotherapy research. In this context, the main objective of this study was to develop and provide initial validity evidence for a brief measure of epistemic orientation in a sample of Brazilian psychotherapists. Participants were 674 Brazilian psychotherapists (78.5% female), aged between 22 and 78 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on different subsamples to establish the structure of the measure. Results revealed an instrument consisting of three factors (Rationalism, Intuitionism, and Empiricism) with good psychometric properties and fit indices (X 2 = 1.92, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95 and RMSEA = 0.06). Factors exhibited good internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity. Criterion validity was evaluated by examining the scale’s ability to detect differences in the epistemic orientation dimensions as a function of therapist’s theoretical approach. Overall, the scale proved to be a valid self-report measure for investigating personal epistemology. Resumen Orientación epistémica se refiere a la forma preferida de acceder y usar el conocimiento, siendo un constructo de creciente interés en investigación en psicoterapia. En ese contexto, el objetivo principal del estudio fue desarrollar y proporcionar evidencia inicial de validez para una corta medida de orientación epistémica en una muestra de psicoterapeutas brasileños. Participaron 674 psicoterapeutas brasileños (78.5% mujeres), con edades entre 22 y 78. Análisis factoriales exploratorio y confirmatorio fueron realizados en diferentes sub-muestras para establecer su estructura. Resultados revelaron un instrumento con tres factores (Racionalismo, Intuicionismo y Empiricismo), buenas propiedades psicométricas e índices de ajuste (X 2 = 1.92, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95 y RMSEA = 0.06). Los factores demostraron buena consistencia interna, validez convergente y discriminante. La validez de criterio se evaluó mediante su capacidad para detectar diferencias en las dimensiones de orientación epistémicas como función del enfoque teórico del terapeuta. En general, la escala demostró ser una medida de autoinforme válida para investigar la epistemología personal. Resumo A orientação epistêmica refere-se ao modo preferido de acesso e uso do conhecimento, sendo um construto de crescente interesse em pesquisa em psicoterapia. Nesse contexto, o