Champion Behaviors Scale

Abstract

The Champion Behaviors Scale (CBS), also known as the Program Advocacy Scale, is a 13-item instrument developed by Ma, Tellegen, and Sanders (2023) to quantify the level of engagement of parenting practitioners in promoting evidence-based parenting programs. The scale specifically measures both public champion behavior (outward promotion) and personal champion behavior (internal advocacy). The initial content was established collaboratively through discussions with professionals experienced in the field. The instrument’s psychometric properties were subsequently evaluated using a sample of practitioners trained in the Triple P—Positive Parenting Program, including detailed factor analysis and reliability assessments.

Keywords

Champion Behaviors, Program Advocacy Scale, Evidence-Based Parenting Program, Evidence-Based Practice, Parenting Practitioners, Public Health Initiatives, Personal Champion Behavior, Public Champion Behavior, Implementation Science, Parent Training.

Authors

Ma, Tianyi, Tellegen, Cassandra L., Sanders, Matthew R.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Champion Behaviors Scale is to systematically measure and provide quantifiable insight into the frequency and breadth of champion behaviors demonstrated by service providers. This assessment is crucial for understanding how practitioners promote and sustain the use of an evidence-based parenting program within their professional environments and the broader community.

Construct

The scale measures the psychological and behavioral construct of Champion Behaviors, specifically within the context of implementing public health interventions. This construct is operationalized through a two-factor structure, distinguishing between two related but distinct types of advocacy behaviors exhibited by practitioners:

• Public Champion Behavior: Refers to overt, external advocacy efforts, such as promoting the program in public forums, engaging with stakeholders, or participating in public health campaigns.

• Personal Champion Behavior: Refers to internal advocacy and integration efforts, such as discussing the program positively with colleagues, encouraging participation among clients, or integrating the program deeply into daily practice.

Validity

At the time of the initial publication (2023), specific data regarding the scale’s construct or criterion validity were not explicitly available in the primary documentation. Further research is necessary to establish comprehensive validity evidence for the Champion Behaviors Scale.

Reliability

The reliability of the Champion Behaviors Scale was assessed primarily through measures of internal consistency. Both derived subscales demonstrated acceptable to good reliability scores, supporting the cohesion of the items within each factor.

• The Public Champion Behavior subscale achieved an acceptable alpha coefficient of 0.74.

• The Personal Champion Behavior subscale demonstrated good internal consistency, reporting an alpha coefficient of 0.83.

Factor Analysis

The scale’s underlying structure was robustly examined using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques.

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)

EFA results, based on both Scree plots and Kaiser’s criterion (eigenvalues greater than one), strongly supported a two-factor model. This two-factor structure successfully accounted for 42% of the total variance observed across the 13 items, all of which were retained in the final model.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)

Initial attempts at Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated a poor fit to the data. An essential modification was implemented, allowing the error terms of two highly similar items (Item 3 and Item 4) to correlate. This modification resulted in a final structural model that demonstrated an adequate fit to the empirical data: χ² (63) = 270.84, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.914, SRMR = 0.061, RMSEA = 0.070 [90% CI: 0.061–0.078].

Instrument

Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire.

Format: The instrument utilizes a 4-point Likert scale for participant responses, ranging from 0 (Does not apply to me at all) to 3 (Definitely applies to me). Subscale scores are calculated by averaging the responses within the respective factor.

Language Available: English.

Population Group: Human (Male and Female).

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years and older).

Population Details: The scale was validated using a sample of parenting practitioners located in Australia who had received specialized training to deliver an evidence-based parenting program, such as Triple P.

Test Methodology: Test Reliability; Internal Consistency; Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA); Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).

Keywords

Program Implementation, Public Health Promotion, Professional Advocacy, Scale Development, Program Fidelity, Practitioner Behavior.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Ma, Tianyi: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0499-1054

Affiliation Email addresses:

• Ma, Tianyi: University of Queensland, Parenting and Family Support Centre

• Tellegen, Cassandra L.: University of Queensland, Parenting and Family Support Centre

• Sanders, Matthew R.: University of Queensland, Parenting and Family Support Centre

• Email (Ma, Tianyi): [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Ma, Tianyi: University of Queensland, Parenting and Family Support Centre, 13 Upland Rd, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia, 4072, [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Users seeking permission to utilize the Champion Behaviors Scale should contact the Corresponding Author (Tianyi Ma).

Fee: No fees associated with use.

Commercial Use: Not approved for commercial use based on initial documentation.

Test Year: 2023.

Reference’s

Ma, T., Tellegen, C. L., & Sanders, M. R. (2023). Predictors of champion behaviors in an evidence–based parenting program: A structural equation modeling approach. American Journal of Community Psychology, 71(1-2), 211–223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12623

Items of the Champion Behaviors Scale

The Champion Behaviors Scale is comprised of 13 items designed to capture the full scope of practitioner advocacy. The specific text of the individual scale items is not available in the public source documentation provided here.

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

The Champion Behaviors Scale is a 13-item scale. No data is Available.