Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS): Psychometric Properties and Validation among managers in Southern Brazil.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), developed by Martin and Rubin (1995), in a sample of Brazilian managers.

Method: The sample consisted of 445 managers from Southern Brazil selected through non-probabilistic snowball sampling. Using confirmatory factor analysis, reliability assessment, and multigroup measurement invariance testing, the study evaluated the adequacy of the original instrument.

Results: The final seven-item model showed psychometric validity and internal consistency. It showed invariance for men and women at all levels of education and significant variance in the leadership time of subordinates, managers with up to 15 years as leaders showed higher levels of cognitive flexibility than those with less time as leaders.

Contribution/originality: This is the first validation study of the CFS in the country with Brazilian managers. The invariance obtained in the model by the variables of sex and education shows potential for application to different samples. The sensitivity of the variance, evidenced by the greater cognitive flexibility of managers with up to 15 years of leadership experience, showed potential for theoretical contributions in studies that apply the CFS.