Development and Validation of an Instrument to Assess Social Work Students’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes About Human Trafficking Questionnaire (PKA-HTQ): An Exploratory Study

Author: Busch Nsonwu, Maura; Welch-Brewer, Chiquitia; Cook Heffron, Laurie; Lemke, Melinda; Busch-Armendariz, Noel; Sulley, Caitlin; Warren Cook, Sharon; Lewis, Mary; Watson, Elizabeth; Moore, Wayne & Li, Jilan

Abstract: This study sought to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a tool designed to assess social work students’ knowledge of and perceptions and attitudes toward human trafficking. To achieve this aim, the Perceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes toward Human Trafficking Questionnaire (PKA-HTQ) was developed and its psychometric properties were evaluated. Specifically, the factor structure and the internal consistency of the PKA-HTQ were evaluated. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a replication EFA were conducted on two independent samples of university students, an initial validation (n ¼ 325), and cross-validation (n ¼ 212) sample. The EFA revealed a three-factor structure, that is, self-appraisal of knowledge/skills (a ¼ .89), worldview (a ¼.78), and help-seeking behavior (a ¼.66); this three-factor structure was supported by replication EFA. The PKA-HTQ questionnaire shows promise as a meaningful, potentially reliable and valid measure.

Keywords: human trafficking, social work, social work pedagogy, exploratory factor analysis, replication exploratory factor analysis