Published: 2024-12-31

Cult Functioning Perception Questionnaire CFPQ17 as a Diagnostic Tool for Social Prevention Purposes

Mariusz Gajewski
Pedagogical Forum
Section: Articles and essays
https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2024.2.1.14

Abstract

The article presents the development process and psychometric properties of the Cult Functioning Perception Questionnaire (CFPQ-17), designed to assess respondents' beliefs regarding their awareness and perception of cult (or sect) phenomena. The questionnaire examines factors such as recruitment methods, knowledge of potential consequences of cult membership, the social context of cult operations, and personal disposition toward making decisions and taking actions in relation to these groups. The questionnaire consists of 17 items rated on a 5-point scale. The study was conducted on a sample of 749 individuals (with proportional gender distribution: women: N = 410; 54.7%; men: N = 339; 45.3%). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the theoretical validity of the CFPQ-17. The analysis confirmed a four-factor structure, although the questionnaire can also be used as a unidimensional tool. The reliability for the overall tool was 0.935, with individual factor reliabilities ranging from 0.640 to 0.847. The goodness-of-fit index indicated an acceptable, moderate fit of the data (χ2/df = 3.78). The results were satisfactory, leading to the recommendation that the CFPQ-17 be used for pedagogical, educational, and preventive purposes, including social prevention, therapy, as well as for research in the social sciences.

Keywords:

youth, culturally different student, sect, prevention, diagnosis, Christian pedagogy

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Citation rules

Gajewski, M. (2024). Cult Functioning Perception Questionnaire CFPQ17 as a Diagnostic Tool for Social Prevention Purposes. Pedagogical Forum, 14(2.1), 181–197. https://doi.org/10.21697/fp.2024.2.1.14

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