Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS): Psychometric Properties and Validation among managers in Southern Brazil

Objective: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Cognitive FlexibilityScale (CFS), developed by Martin and Rubin (1995), in a sample of Brazilian managers. Method: Thesample consisted of 445 managers from Southern Brazil selected through non-probabilistic snowballsampling. Using confirmatory factor analysis, reliability assessment, and multigroup measurementinvariance testing, the study evaluated the adequacy of the original instrument. Results: The finalseven-item model showed psychometric validity and internal consistency. It showed invariancefor men and women at all levels of education and significant variance in the leadership time ofsubordinates, managers with up to 15 years as leaders showed higher levels of cognitive flexibilitythan those with less time as leaders. Contribution/Originality: This is the first validation study of theCFS in the country with Brazilian managers. The invariance obtained in the model by the variablesof sex and education shows potential for application to different samples. The sensitivity of thevariance, evidenced by the greater cognitive flexibility of managers with up to 15 years of leadershipexperience, showed potential for theoretical contributions in studies that apply the CFS.