Adaptation and validity evidences of Professional Identity Scales for students

Abstract

Professional identity is a central construct to understand career construction, especially during transitions to work. Aware of the importance of this construct, the objective of this study was to adapt to Portuguese and to present the validity evidences of two scales directed to students in professional education: The Clarity of Professional Identity (ECIP) and the Macleod Clark Professional Identity (EIP). The study was divided into two stages: content validity, and internal structure and convergent validity. In this last stage participated 424 university students, of both sexes, subdivided in two independent samples. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlation and reliability tests were performed. After the factor analysis, the ECIP maintained its original structure, while the EIP needed to be adjusted by reducing items. The reliability and correlation tests signaled good evidences of trustworthiness and convergent validity of the two measures. It is concluded that the adapted versions of both professional identity scales have satisfactory psychometric qualities and can be used in future research on the topic. We expect that the results can contribute to cross-cultural studies of the professional identity of students in professional education.