Validación del constructo de autodeterminación a través de la escala ARC-INICO para adolescentes

Abstract

Self-determination is a good predictor of quality of life, which is defined as a strategy that aims to increase and improve the educational practices focused on individuals’ needs at a global and life-long-term level. Hence, the evaluation of this construct has undergone notable advances in our country due to the acceptance of international theoretical models and the design of specific instruments for our context. The ARC-INICO scale (Verdugo et al., 2014) assesses four characteristics of self-determined behavior in teenagers: autonomy, self-regulation, empowerment and self-concept. This structure is based on the Wehmeyer’s Functional Model (1999, 2003). It has only been validated with Spanish students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study is to assess the psychometrical properties of this scale in Galician population, checking its equivalence both for use with young people with neurological development disorders and without them. The sample was made up of 2 220 high school students. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to test the scale structure using the original proposal based on a higher-order factor structure on a correlated four factor model, and a single-factor model which assumes the unidimensionality of self-determination. Regarding the reliability, high overall internal consistency and for its sections has been found. Although the unifactorial model offers an acceptable adjustment (Model 1: GFI = .958, AGFI = .941, RMSEA = .057), it is superior in the higher order model (Model 2: GFI = .970, AGFI = .954; RMSEA = .049). In addition, the factorial invariance measure shows the utility of model 2 to compare scores according to the presence or absence of neurological development disorders. In conclusion, the ARC-INICO scale provides an important basis for decisions making regarding the design of care programs, through the development of resources, guidelines and strategies, and provides information for the differential provision of said resources and supports.