Development and validation of a Muslim Personality Scale

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a self-report measure of Muslim personality (i.e., a Muslim Personality Scale; MPS), which can be used to assess personality. Muslim personality was defined as the individual differences in rational, emotional, and social minds that shape Muslim characteristics. The construction of the scale has undergone three stages. In the first stage, seventeen experts in psychology and religious matters were interviewed and the results indicated a three-dimensional model (i. e., rational, emotional, and social minds) with 25 constructs and 286 items. Inter-rater agreement indicated that 81 items had to be dropped, leaving a final index of 204 items. In the second stage, 505 respondents were solicited to investigate the reliability and validity of the scale. An exploratory factor analysis indicated that a four primary factors and one higher-order factor solution for each dimension. Rational mind consisted of four factors (Trustworthiness, Truthfulness, Self-accountability, & Justice) with 21 items, which accounted for 48.189% of the common variance. Similarly, emotional mind consisted of four factors (Love of Allah, Fear of Allah, Humility, & Gratitude) with 21 items, which accounted for 48.347% of the common variance. Social mind consisted of four factors (Cooperation, Self-discipline, Selfsacrifice, & Brotherhood) with 23 items, which accounted for 46.945% of the common variance. The internal consistency of the three-dimensional model for the MPS was found to meet the criterion of .70 (.859, .859 & .863). However, the internal consistency of five factors was below the .70 criterion. Next, to investigate the factorial construct validity of the scale, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and the results revealed a moderate fit of the data to the models. Thus, the results of the analyses supported the hypotheses and provided evidence for the convergent and concurrent validity of the MPS. As such, initial evidence suggests that the MPS is a valid and reliable measure, which warrants further assessment for clinical, educational, employment, and research purposes.