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Relative Autonomy Index

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
  • Because I do not like it
  • So that others won't get mad at me
  • Because I want people to like me

Response Options

Strongly disagree (lowest score, 1) to Strongly agree (highest score, 4)

Scoring Procedures

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.


Psychometric Score

Ease of Use Score

Scoring breakdown

Formative Research

Qualitative Research

Existing Literature/Theoretical Framework

Field Expert Input

Cognitive Interviews / Pilot Testing

Reliability

Internal

Test-retest

Interrater

Validity

Content

Face

Criterion (gold-standard)

Construct

KEY

Ease of Use

Readability

Scoring Clarity

Length

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