Development and validation of the Homeownership Decision Orientation Scales (HDOS)

Please note, metadata describing each item is avaible on sheet 2 of the data file. Sheet 1 contains cleaned data. R script must be altered on user-end to set their own working directory as required.<br><br><br>Abstract<br>This research addresses the lack of a comprehensive, theory-based, and psychometrically sound measure of psychological factors underlying homeownership decisions among non-homeowners. We develop and validate the Homeownership Decision Orientation Scales (HDOS), grounded in the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The HDOS captures attitudes (desire for ownership, aversion to renting, willingness to sacrifice, importance of outcomes), perceived behavioural control (affordability, navigation self-efficacy, fear of missing out), subjective norms (family and peer expectations), and both aspirational and tangible intentions. Analyses supported structural, convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity, with a hierarchical model demonstrating cross-context consistency across UK and Australian samples. Measurement invariance indicated generalisability. Comparison with superannuation-related TPB constructs confirmed discriminant validity, underscoring the distinctiveness of homeownership motivations. Predictive validity analyses showed HDOS constructs explained over half the variance in tangible intentions. Beyond validation, findings challenge the assumption that homeownership is a universally preferred goal limited only by affordability. Instead, heterogeneous attitudes emerged, shaped by preferences for stability versus flexibility and differing willingness to sacrifice. These insights highlight the importance of clearly defined multidimensional constructs in modelling housing decisions.<br><br><br><br>Data were collected using third-party online panel providers in the United Kingdom and Australia. Eligible participants were identified and recruited by these providers based on predefined screening criteria (non-homeowners aged 18–40, with quotas to approximate national distributions for key demographics). Upon accepting the study invitation, participants were redirected from the panel provider platform to a secure Qualtrics survey hosted on an Australian server. All study materials, including the Participant Information and Consent Form, were presented within Qualtrics, and informed consent was obtained digitally prior to participation. Responses were recorded anonymously using provider-issued coded identifiers, with no directly identifying information accessible to the research team.