Development of Reliable and Valid Questions to Assess Food Resource Management Behaviors in Adults With Limited Income

Abstract

ObjectiveDevelop reliable, valid questions to assess changes in food resource management (FRM) behaviors in adults with limited incomes. DesignQuestionnaire development using a mixed-methods approach: content validity (subject matter and curricula), face validity, temporal reliability (test-retest), sensitivity to change, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). SettingCommunity settings in 12 states. ParticipantsConvenience samples of English-speaking Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) or EFNEP-eligible adults: 105 (cognitive interviews), 181 (test-retest), 185 (sensitivity), and 389 (EFA) adults. Variables MeasuredBehaviors related to FRM skills: planning, shopping, and budgeting. AnalysisConsistency and agreement in cognitive interviews and temporal reliability; sensitivity at posttest (paired t tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests); internal consistency of scales identified in EFA (Cronbach α). P < 0.5. ResultsAll questions had acceptable temporal reliability ranges for the intraclass correlation coefficient (0.48–0.74) and Spearman rank-order correlation (0.48–0.73). All questions were sensitive to change at posttest (P < 0.001). Planning and saving scales, revealed by EFA, demonstrated internal consistency (> 0.80 Cronbach α). Conclusions and ImplicationsThe 9 FRM behavior questions have acceptable temporal reliability and content and face validity and can be used nationally by EFNEP to assess participants’ self-reported behavior changes. Other nutrition programs with similar audiences and content could use these questions to measure changes in FRM behaviors.