Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Human Trafficking: A Psychometric Evaluation

Author: Sunny, Cijy Elizabeth; Peck, Jessica & Sonney, Jennifer

Abstract: Human trafficking is an urgent health threat. This study sought to psychometrically validate the novel Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Human Trafficking scale. Using data from a 2018 study of pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (n = 777), this secondary analysis examined dimensionality and reliability of the survey. The Cronbach α for scale constructs was < 0.7 for knowledge and 0.78 for attitudes. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses identified a bifactor model for knowledge with relative fit indexes within standard cutoffs, root mean square error of approximation = 0.03, comparative fit index = 0.95, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.94, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.06. The attitudes construct indicated a 2-factor model with root mean square error of approximation = 0.04, comparative fit index = 0.99, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.98, and standardized root mean square residual = 0.06, within standard cutoffs. The scale is a promising tool in advancing nursing response to trafficking but needs further refinement to increase utility and uptake.

Keywords: human trafficking, psychometric validation, item response theory