Cross Validation of a Self-concept Tool for Use with Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to cross validate a self concept tool, the Self Description Questionnaire-I (SDQ-I), for use with children with cerebral palsy (CP). The children with CP had average intelligence (AI) or mild intellectual disability (MID). In order to cross validate the tool, 104 children with CP were administered the SDQ-I. Then, the psychometric stability of the SDQ-I was investigated using coefficient alpha to determine internal reliability, and factor analysis was used to determine construct validity. The primary results revealed that the Self Description Questionnaire had moderate internal consistency using coefficient alpha and emerging construct validity using scree plot, principal factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The construct validity is emerging as there were too few participants to make a final determination regarding the validity of the tool using structural equation modeling and factor analysis. It is suggested that more research needs to be done in this area to provide a clearer consensus on the construct validity of the SDQ-I for use with children with CP.