Construction and Validation of a Scale Regarding the Attitudes of Parents of Young Children towards Animals

Abstract

Τhis study aims to discuss and analyze the reliability as well as construct the validity of the Attitudes of Young Children Parents Towards Animals Scale (PATAS) to be used in parents of preschool children. Data were obtained from eight hundred eighty-one parents of preschool children who participated in an educational program regarding pets. The initial model comprised four factors: Learning for and from animals (F1), Cruelty and stereotypes against animals (F2), Fears for children (F3), and Delinquency (F4). In the brief version of the scale, the factors proposed were Learning for and from animals (F1) and Cruelty and stereotypes against animals (F2). The PATAS presented satisfactory validity and reliability (internal consistency and reproducibility), allowing its use in parents. Results are discussed in terms of helping parents to promote positive changes in their approaches towards animals and influencing children to cultivate positive attitudes towards animals at the early stage of their development.