Benevolence Toward Schizophrenia Scale: Construction and evidence of validation

Abstract The aim of this study was to construct and seek evidence for the validity of the Escala de Benevolencia frente a Esquizofrenia (Benevolence Toward Schizophrenia Scale). Two studies were conducted in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil. Study 1 describes the development and evidence of the factor validity of the Benevolence Toward Schizophrenia Scale with a sample composed of 200 university students aged 16 to 51 years old (M = 25.31; SD = 7.21). The data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis, which revealed one single seven-item factor that explained 37.74% of the variance and a satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha (0.77). The aim of Study 2 was to test the goodness-of-fit of the Benevolence Toward Schizophrenia Scale factor structure with a sample composed of 200 university students aged 16 to 52 years old (M = 24.82; SD = 6.97). The one-factor structure exhibited adequate goodness-of-fit; the composite reliability value was 0.83, which indicates scale stability and satisfactory psychometric parameters for assessing benevolent prejudice toward schizophrenia.