The Relative Autonomy Index is a 83-item measure of an individual’s ability to act on what he or she values. The measure captures autonomy across activities related to household activities, employment, household purchases, participation in groups, and feeding children.
Categories
Geographies Tested: Chad
Populations Included: Female, Male
Age Range: Adolescents, Adults
Items:
Measure items
Lead in with questions: I do the activities in:
Household Activities:
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because I think they are valuable
Because that is what other people tell me to do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I enjoy it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I want people to like me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
To please others
Employment
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because that is what other people tell me to do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I enjoy it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I want people to like me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
No employment
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I do not like it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I want people to like me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
To please others
Because I can be punished
Because other want me to
I do not find it rewarding
Household purchases
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because that is what other people tell me to do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I enjoy it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
To please others
Because I can be punished
No household purchases
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I do not like it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I want people to like me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
To please others
Because I can be punished
Participation in groups
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because I think they are valuable
Because that is what other people tell me to do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I enjoy it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I want people to like me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
To please others
No participation in groups
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because I think they are valuable
Because that is what other people tell me to do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
Because I do not like it
So that others won't get mad at me
Because I want people to like me
Because I think it is important for me, personally
To please others
Feeding children
Because I will get in trouble if I don't
So that others don't think poorly of me
Because I get a reward or benefit if I do
Because I think they are valuable
Because that is what other people tell me to do
Because I personally think it is the right thing to do, whether or not others agree
The Relative Autonomy Index is the weighted sum of the scores of the three subscales, with the external motivation subscale weighted as (-2), the introjected motivation subscale as (-1) and autonomous motivation subscale weighted as (+3). The RAI ranges from -9 to +9. Higher scores represent a more autonomous sense of motivation whereas negative scores indicate that the respondent’s motivation is more controlled.
Original Citation
Vaz, A., Pratley, P., & Alkire, S. (2016). Measuring women's autonomy in Chad using the relative autonomy index. Feminist economics, 22(1), 264-294.
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