Reexamining the Evidence-Based Practices Attitude Scale-36 (EBPAS-36) in a U.S. Sample of Trauma-Focused Treatment Providers

Abstract Background Mental health providers’ attitudes toward evidence-based practice are likely to influence what interventions they learn, implement, and sustain over time. Extending research on the 15-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), a 36-item version of the EBPAS was recently developed to assess provider attitudes more comprehensively. Research suggests the EBPAS-36 is a promising tool, though inconsistencies across studies suggest there is a need to reexamine its validity and reliability. Methods This study assessed the factorial structure of the EBPAS-36, the intercorrelations and reliabilities of its subscales, and correlates of practice attitudes in a U.S. sample of 445 practitioners who received training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Results A confirmatory factor analysis verified that the EBPAS-36 fits a 12-factor model representing each of its subscales. Reinforcing prior results, the subscales of the EBPAS-36 were weakly to moderately correlated, suggesting that the 12 domains are related yet distinct. A hypothesized second-order model with three overarching latent factors was not validated, but an alternative two-factor model fit the data adequately. Most subscales demonstrated good-to-excellent internal consistency, though values for the appeal, divergence, and balance subscales ranged from marginally acceptable to poor. Provider attitudes varied by gender, professional experience, and discipline. Practitioners who more frequently assessed client trauma symptoms reported more positive EBP attitudes, and those who expressed greater concerns that trauma assessments may cause harm reported more negative attitudes. Conclusions Taken together with previous findings, the results suggest the EBPAS-36 performs well overall, though some subscales may benefit from refinement. Further validation tests of the EBPAS-36 in diverse samples are warranted.