Violent attitudes in Portugal and Canada: Measurement invariance and psychometric properties of the Evaluation of Violence Questionnaire

Abstract

Theory and evidence suggest that attitudes toward violence are relevant for the explanation, prediction, and reduction of violent behavior. The purpose of the present study was to adapt a measure of violent attitudes—the Evaluation of Violence Questionnaire (EVQ)—for use in Portugal, test the cross-country equivalence, and test the validity of both versions. We found the expected one-factor structure, high internal consistency, and cross-country measurement invariance for the Portuguese and original EVQ with men in Portugal (N = 320) and Canada (N = 298). We also found the expected pattern of correlations with measures of more versus less theoretically relevant constructs: both versions of the EVQ showed the strongest correlations with overall aggression and reactive aggression; slightly lower correlations with proactive aggression; negative correlations with self-control; and the smallest correlations with self-esteem. Our results support the equivalence, reliability, and validity of the Portuguese and original versions of the EVQ.