Evaluation of Self by Young People with Down Syndrome

Abstract

There have been relatively few studies of self-esteem with young people with moderate and severe intellectual disability. One reason for this is likely to be measurement difficulties. The purpose of the present study was to assess the usefulness of three measures of self-esteem in 72 young people with Down syndrome aged from 17 to 24 years. Forty-five young people, mean VMA 5 years 10 months, were assessed on the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children and the Joseph PreSchool and Primary Self-Concept Screening Test. Nineteen young people, mean VMA 8 years 9 months, completed the Self-Perception Profile for Learning Disabled Students. Validity was assessed by reading scores and by interviews with the young people and their parents. Eight young people with the most severe intellectual disability could not do any test; the remainder were able to respond to the format of the appropriate tests. On all measures they rated themselves positively. Internal consistency estimates were high, but validity was only demonstrated for the Self-Perception Profile for Learning Disabled Students, supporting its use with the young people who had VMAs of around 7 years. Evaluation of self also showed a standard developmental trend.