Development and validation of Temperance Scale in Pakistan

Analysis of Scales and Measures of Moral Virtues: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate how scales for the concept of moral virtues are constructed and measured, in studies associated with business ethics and the tradition of virtue ethics. Methods: a systematic literature review was conducted to select empirical articles on moral virtues that design or apply scales. Based on search, selection, and analysis criteria, five databases were consulted, and 37 papers were selected, with subsequent analysis of the scales development and measurement procedure (items, sample, factor analysis) and emerging factors. Results: the study gathers scales of multiple moral virtues (19) and of specific virtues (18), showing limitations in the generation of items, and in the item-sample proportion in some scales, as well as theoretical contributions in leadership and relationship strengthening, making a theoretical and methodological discussion in the light of the assumptions of virtue ethics in the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition. Conclusions: the article intends to contribute to a better understanding of moral virtues in management, by discussing the scales from the unity of virtues and the phronesis-moral virtues connection, with implications for human behavior and business ethics. Procedures are recommended for future qualitative and quantitative studies in new research contexts.

Análise de Escalas e Medidas de Virtudes Morais: Uma Revisão Sistemática

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar como as escalas para o conceito de virtudes morais são construídas e mensuradas, em estudos associados à ética empresarial e à tradição da ética das virtudes. Métodos: realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura para selecionar artigos empíricos sobre virtudes morais que elaboram ou aplicam escalas. Com base em critérios de busca, seleção e análise, foram consultadas cinco bases de dados e selecionados 37 trabalhos, analisando-se o procedimento de desenvolvimento e mensuração de escalas (itens, amostra, análise fatorial) e fatores emergentes. Resultados: o estudo reúne escalas de múltiplas virtudes morais (19) e de virtudes específicas (18), evidenciando limitações na geração de itens e na proporção item-amostra em algumas escalas, como também contribuições teóricas em liderança e fortalecimento de relações, fazendo uma discussão teórico-metodológica, à luz dos pressupostos da ética das virtudes na tradição aristotélico-tomista. Conclusões: o artigo intenciona contribuir para uma melhor compreensão sobre as virtudes morais em administração, ao discutir as escalas a partir da unidade das virtudes e da conexão phronesis-virtudes morais, com implicações no comportamento humano e na ética empresarial. Recomendam-se procedimentos para estudos futuros qualitativos e quantitativos em novos contextos de pesquisa.

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Temperance Scale in Adolescents

Recent research has shown the relevance of measuring the virtue of temperance. The present study tested a multidimensional and second-order structure scale to assess temperance using a sub-scale of the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA-Youth). Scale properties were tested using data from a sample of 860 adolescents aged from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.28 years, SD = 1.65). The sample was randomly split into two subsamples for model cross-validation. Using the first sample, we assessed scale dimensionality, measurement invariance, and discriminant and concurrent validity. A second sample was used for model cross-validation. Confirmatory factorial analysis confirmed the fit of one second-order factor temperance virtue model, with the dimensions of forgiveness, modesty, prudence, and self-control. The results indicate scale measurement equivalence across gender and stage of adolescence (early vs. middle). Latent means difference tests showed significant differences in forgiveness, modesty, and self-regulation by gender, and modesty according to adolescence stage. Moreover, the scale showed discriminant and concurrent validity. These findings indicate that this scale is helpful for assessing temperance in adolescents and suggest the value of temperance as a multidimensional and second-order construct.

The Future of Evidence-Based Temperance Interventions

Positive psychology has accumulated a large and ever-growing body of scientific knowledge about human strengths and virtues. However, research on positive psychology interventions (PPIs) to develop such is still in its infancy. In this brief position paper, we summarize the status of PPIs in one of the positive psychology's most important virtues: temperance. Temperance refers to the capacity to manage habits and protect against excess and is composed of forgiveness, humility, and (we include) patience. Specifically, we examine the current state-of-the-science in the conceptualization of temperance, explore the efficacy of temperance interventions, and reflect upon what the future may hold in this research domain. In this paper, we first highlight the challenges and opportunities for expanding the theoretical conceptualization of temperance and reflect upon the challenges in temperance-related PPIs. For each aspect of temperance, we propose a specific research agenda. Second, we explore what is needed for PPIs to promote temperance and how growth in temperance intervention research can be fostered. Generally, while forgiveness interventions are well established, we recommended that both humility and patience interventions need more viable evidence-based research on existing and new interventions. Third, we advanced several recommendations regarding how to promote more research in new interventions. These recommendations included attracting more funders to the area, developing new interventions, and employing new technology. Because intervention research in temperance is in its infancy, the future looks rosy for PPI researchers as we move into a second generation of positive psychology research.