Psychometric Analysis of the Perceptions of Sex Offenders Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Validity Correlates

This study is a psychometric analysis of the Perceptions of Sex Offenders (PSO) scale, a reconceptualization of the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offender scale. Using a student sample, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. The initial three-factor data-model fit was poor. To improve fit, one item was dropped and error terms of several items were allowed to covary, producing acceptable fit indices. Subscales of Sentencing and Management and Stereotype Endorsement demonstrated strong internal consistency metrics, whereas Risk Perception did not achieve adequate reliability until the aforementioned item was omitted. Correlations between the total scale and three subscale scores with various instruments address discriminant and concurrent validity. The total PSO as well as the Sentencing and Management subscale correlated most consistently with compassion for those who offend sexually as well as with various justice beliefs. Conservatism, religiosity, or knowing a person who had perpetrated sexual assault failed to demonstrate substantial correlations with either the total PSO or any subscales. Gender differences in Risk Perception and Stereotype Endorsement were observed and replicated prior research. We conclude that the PSO is a promising research instrument, worthy of use and further investigation.