Keywords
assertiveness
psychodiagnostics
psychological factors
operationalization
psychometrics
questionnaire
emerging adulthood
How to Cite
Abstract
BackgroundAssertiveness is an important prerequisite for psychological well-being, effective interpersonal interaction, and personal self-realization. Despite the considerable number of psychodiagnostic instruments available, contemporary research has primarily focused on measuring the behavioral manifestations of assertiveness, whereas the psychological factors determining an individual's potential capacity for assertive behavior remain insufficiently operationalized. This necessitates the development of an empirically validated model of assertiveness potential and the creation of a psychodiagnostic instrument for its comprehensive assessment.
ObjectiveTo integrate the findings of a comprehensive empirical study into a coherent, empirically validated model of the assertiveness potential of emerging adults, operationalize its structural components, and develop the original Assertiveness Potential Questionnaire (APQ).
MethodsThe study involved 334 higher education students aged 17–23 years. The methodological framework was based on the systems approach and the structural-functional approach. Eleven standardized psychodiagnostic instruments were employed for empirical assessment. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, principal component factor analysis with Varimax rotation, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation analyses, multiple regression analysis, cluster analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Levene's test, Welch's correction, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. All statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0.
ResultsThe suitability of the data for factor analysis was confirmed by the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index (KMO = 0.778) and Bartlett's test of sphericity (p < 0.001). The analysis yielded a seven-component model of assertiveness potential explaining 69.0% of the total variance. Three major psychological factors ("External Normative Orientation," "Emotional Experiencing," and "Subjectivation"), two structurally significant factors, and two auxiliary components were identified. Regression analysis demonstrated the model's high predictive validity for assertiveness indicators, while cluster analysis identified four psychological profiles of assertiveness potential (R² = 0.401). Subsequent analysis of variance confirmed the criterion validity of the proposed model. Based on these findings, the structural components were operationalized, and the initial version of the original Assertiveness Potential Questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire consists of 35 items grouped into seven scales.
Scientific NoveltyFor the first time, an empirically validated multidimensional model of assertiveness potential in emerging adulthood has been proposed, integrating resource-related, limiting, and auxiliary psychological factors. Unlike existing conceptualizations of assertiveness, the proposed model is grounded in a comprehensive statistical examination of its factorial structure, predictive validity, and criterion validity, providing the foundation for the development of a novel psychodiagnostic instrument.
Practical SignificanceThe developed questionnaire may be applied in psychological services within higher education institutions to assess psychological resources and barriers to assertiveness development, support individual psychological counseling, design programs for the development of social and communicative competencies, and monitor the effectiveness of psychological interventions. Furthermore, it provides a basis for the subsequent psychometric standardization and validation of a new diagnostic instrument.
ConclusionsThe assertiveness potential of emerging adults represents a complex integrative psychological construct with a multilevel structure of interconnected resource-related and limiting factors. The obtained findings confirm the empirical validity of the proposed model and support the use of the original Assertiveness Potential Questionnaire as a promising basis for further psychometric research, standardization, and practical application in psychological assessment.
Keywords: assertiveness potential; assertiveness; psychodiagnostics; psychological factors; operationalization; psychometrics; questionnaire; emerging adulthood.
Received: May 16, 2026
Accepted: June 23, 2026
Published: June 30, 2026
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