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The Poverty and Housing Scale: report on a pilot study
Colleen M Galambos1, Samuel A MacMaster
1School of Social Work, University of Missouri-Columbia, 730 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65203, USA. galambosc@missouri.edu
Journal of Health & Social Policy
|April 15, 2005
Summary
Researchers developed the Poverty and Housing Scale (PHS) to measure beliefs about poverty and housing. Pilot study results show the PHS is a reliable and valid tool for social work and policy development.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychometrics
- Social Work Research
Background:
- Understanding beliefs and attitudes toward poverty and housing is crucial for policy and program development.
- Existing scales may not adequately capture the interconnectedness of poverty and housing beliefs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report pilot study findings for a new scale, The Poverty and Housing Scale (PHS).
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of the PHS.
- To assess the PHS's validity and reliability in measuring beliefs and attitudes on poverty and housing.
Main Methods:
- Development of the Poverty and Housing Scale (PHS).
- Pilot testing and evaluation of the scale's psychometric properties.
- Content and face validity assessments.
- Factor analysis to determine scale structure.
Main Results:
- Preliminary reliability of the PHS was found to be in the very good range.
- Content and face validity supported the PHS as a valid measure.
- Factor analysis resulted in a one-factor, 13-item scale.
- The PHS uniquely links social factors of poverty and housing.
Conclusions:
- The PHS demonstrates promising psychometric properties for measuring beliefs and attitudes on poverty and housing.
- The scale's ability to integrate poverty and housing factors offers a novel approach.
- Further testing is recommended to confirm the PHS's utility in social work practice and policy.