Instrument Validation: Challenges and Difficulties in the Dual Career in Women's Football Refereeing (DDCDAF)
Filipa Manso, Sandra Silva-Santos, Vitor Principe, Celina Gonçalves
Abstract
In Portugal, women's refereeing has made remarkable progress; however, gender inequalities, precarious working conditions, and structural obstacles persist, hindering career progression and women's retention in the sector (e.g., Silva-Santos et al., 2025). This study analyzes the dual career of female football referees, focusing on the challenges and difficulties of reconciling refereeing, another professional career, and personal life, including motherhood. The study aimed to understand the social, professional, and personal implications of the activity condition retention and career progression. Specifically, this article aimed to validate the measurement instrument (DDCDAF) to meet the general objective. Thus, a quantitative study was conducted through the construction and validation of a questionnaire composed of sociodemographic questions and items grouped into two dimensions (Financial Sustainability and Motherhood/Professionalization), applied to a convenience sample of 40 Portuguese female referees. Factor analysis revealed that, when analyzed as a whole of 39 items, it was not adequate, but it proved acceptable when evaluated by sub-dimensions and, partially, at the theme level. The pilot questionnaire proves to be a valid instrument for understanding the challenges and difficulties of reconciling arbitration, professional and personal life. The results allow us to identify structural barriers faced by female arbitrators, generate applied knowledge about factors that influence retention and career progression, and inform support policies that promote the appreciation and development of female arbitrators. However, the overall analysis highlights the need for reformulation and elimination of some items in order to improve the clarity and consistency of the instrument.
Keywords
References
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Submitted date:
06/25/2026
Accepted date:
08/02/2026
