Using Rasch Analysis to Assess the Psychometric Properties of a Five-Item Version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale in Adolescents.

Anne Mari Steigen,Annette Løvheim Kleppang,Hanne Søberg Finbråten

doi:10.3390/ijerph19053082

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to use Rasch analysis to assess the psychometric properties of the five-item version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) amongst adolescents aged 13 to 19. In this cross-sectional study, 6265 adolescents responded to a web-based questionnaire. Data collected from lower and upper secondary schools in Norway, during 2018, were analysed using the partial credit parameterisation of the unidimensional Rasch model. The five-item version of the GSES was found to be unidimensional and to have acceptable reliability. The targeting of the scale could have been better. All items had ordered thresholds, indicating that the response categories worked quite well. The five-item version of the GSES has potential for measuring self-efficacy in a general population of adolescents. In surveys concerning adolescents’ mental health, it is important to include aspects of positive mental health and health-promoting factors, such as self-efficacy.

Highlights

The developmental stage, which adolescence represents, can be a challenging period for many adolescents undergoing major psychological, physical, and social changes
Parents and adolescents were informed by email in advance; parents of adolescents aged 13 to 17 were assured that they could withdraw their children from participation at any time, and adolescents were informed that participation was voluntary
The five-item version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) works well when applied to Norwegian adolescents

Summary

Introduction

The developmental stage, which adolescence represents, can be a challenging period for many adolescents undergoing major psychological, physical, and social changes. There is a need for more knowledge about risk factors and challenges in adolescents and regarding factors that can potentially be a strength and buffer against stress and other risk factors. This is in accordance with the salutogenic model, which views health as a movement on a continuum between ease and dis-ease and focusses on the factors that promote movement towards the healthy end of the continuum [3]. Self-efficacy is seen as a positive psychosocial factor, in contrast to negative psychosocial factors, such as stress and loneliness, and might have a buffer role for negative psychosocial factors [6]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion