Development and validation of Temperance Scale in Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of the present research was to construct and validate a measure of temperance-one's capability of moderation or voluntary self-restraint. This research comprised two studies. In Study I, an item pool of 83 items was generated, 75 items were finalized by a committee of experts, and then these items were administered on a purposive sample of university students (n = 250). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a four-factor solution with 24 items and the factors were named as Self-regulation (α = .72), Prudence (α = .71), Humility (α = .79), and Forgiveness (α = .73). Study II of the present research confirmed the factorial structure of the Temperance Scale in an independent sample of university students (n = 268). The Temperance Scale, Academic Procrastination Scale, and Empathy Quotient Short Form were administered to the participants. Confirmatory factor analysis of the Temperance Scale demonstrated a good model fit to the data with the same four factors as established during the EFA. The Temperance Scale was positively correlated with empathy and it had a nonsignificant relationship with academic procrastination. The results support that the newly developed scale has promising validity.

The Future of Evidence-Based Temperance Interventions

“…This virtue reflects an inherent capacity to moderate or control one's thoughts, feelings, habits, and desires (Mayerson, 2020) that protects against excess or deficiency (Fehr and Gelfand, 2012). Temperance may encompass many related behaviors, such as prudence, conscientiousness, caution, and self-restraint, that could tame impulses of anger, resentment, selfishness, over-indulgence, and rigidity (Shahab and Adil, 2020). According to Peterson and Seligman (2004), as a virtue of good character, temperance can be exerted through four signature strengths: forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence/self-regulation, and (we would add) patience (Schnitker and Emmons, 2007).…”

“…Fundamentally, forgiveness involves changes in emotions and behavioral intentions, which result in perceptions of the transgressor/transgression to become more positive and less negative (Worthington, 2006). In other words, the transgressor is viewed with more understanding, benevolence, compassion, and kindness (Shahab and Adil, 2020) and less hatred and vengeance is felt (Worthington, 2020a).…”

Analysis of Scales and Measures of Moral Virtues: A Systematic Review

“…In administration journals, the research works are mostly based on lists proposed by Solomon (1999) and Murphy (1999). As for psychology journals, the articles are based on the positive psychology developed by Peterson and Seligman (2004) or attempts to link psychology and moral philosophy (e.g., Shahab & Adil, 2020). Of the 37 articles, 19 refer to the use and development of scales on multiple virtues, which we chose to call multiple moral virtues, and 18 address scales and measures of specific moral virtues (Table 2).…”

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Temperance Scale in Adolescents

“…Virtues are central attributes that are highly appreciated in philosophy and religious theories worldwide, since they favor the optimal functioning of people [ 1 , 2 ]. Temperance, one of these identified virtues [ 3 , 4 ], contributes to a wide variety of positive consequences, such as individuals’ well-being and the achievement of goals [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. As a result, the interest among scholars in measuring this virtue has seen exponential growth in recent years [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…According to the literature [ 2 , 13 ], this virtue encompasses the strengths of modesty (avoiding flaunting and permitting personal accomplishments to speak for themselves), self-regulation (regulating behaviors and feelings), forgiveness (leaving aside anger or revenge towards the offender), and prudence (being cautious with individual decisions and avoiding actions one may regret). Some scholars have adopted the positive psychology approach [ 6 , 14 ] to research this virtue because the approach embraces the scientific study of positive human functioning and adaptive behaviors at all levels, such as personal, relational, and institutional [ 1 , 15 ].…”