Patriarchal Beliefs Scale: Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version

Abstract

Patriarchal beliefs convey the power discrepancy between men and women in society. The current study examines the psychometric properties for the Patriarchal Beliefs Scale (PBS) in the Portuguese context, including its construct and convergent validity, measurement invariance, and reliability. A sample of 488 adults (66.8% women) with ages ranging from 18 to 77 years old (M = 27.6 years, SD = 11.8) participated in this study. The results confirmed the original three-factorial structure of the PBS (Institutional power of men, Inherent inferiority of women, and Gendered domestic roles), the measurement invariance across gender, as well as convergent validity warranted by the positive and significant correlations between the patriarchal beliefs, social dominance, and sexism. Men significantly outscored women in all these dimensions. The current study provides evidence of the validity and reliability of the PBS in the Portuguese context, enabling further opportunities to implement cross-cultural studies in this field.