Construct Validity of the Life Transition Scale for Parents of Children with Autism

Abstract

Purpose: The study was done to identify the construct validity and reliability of the life transition scale (LTS) for parents who have children with autism. Methods: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmative factor analysis (CFA) were conducted to identify the most adequate measurement model for structural validity. Convergent validity and discriminant validity were also conducted for structural validity. Data were collected from 208 parents through self-reported questionnaires and analyzed with SPSS/WIN 15.0 and AMOS 20.0 version. Results: A four factor-structure was validated ( χ 2 = 541.23, p< .001, GFI= .82, RMSEA= .07, IFI= .89, CFI= .89, PNFI= .73, Q ( χ 2 /df)= 2.20) at the 3rd order of EFA and CFA, and factors were named as denying, wandering, despairing, and accepting. Both convergent and determinant validity for LTS were 100%. Cronbach's alphas for the reliability of each structure were .77-.90 and .83 for total structure. Conclusion: The four structures, 24-item instrument showed satisfactory reliability and validity. LTS has the potential to be appropriate for assessing the transition process of life for parents who have children with autism and provides basic directions for differentiated support and care at each stage.

Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…When input into a linear multiple regression analysis using ⍺=.05, medium effect size f 2 =.15, power=.95, and number of predictors=13, the minimum sample size for this study was 189. Considering the potential for a high drop-out rate [13,14], a sample size of 350 was used for this study. Surprisingly, 312 questionnaires were returned (response rate=89.1%), with 285 ultimately selected for use due to the exclusion of 27 questionnaires that had incomplete responses.…”

“…The Life Transition Scale (LTS) is a parent-report scale that assesses the LTP of parents who have children with ASD [13]. Parents are instructed to respond with their current feelings regarding life using a four-point Likert-type scale (not true=1 to completely or always true=4).…”

“…In the wandering phase, mothers experience high levels of stress, guilt, and self-blame. The despair phase is the stage of exhaustion, whereas in the accepting phase mothers reorganize their lives as mothers who are rearing children with ASD [12,13]. Notably, there was no difference in the despair or acceptance phases between mothers and fathers [14].…”

“…Meleis et al [10] further suggested that health and illness challenges involve a process of transition that also increases parents' vulnerability to poor health. In this regard, a series of studies by Lee et al [11][12][13][14] investigated how mothers of children with autism experienced life transitions, and suggested differentiated support and care at each stage. Mothers who have children with ASD experienced five phases of the Life Transition Process (LTP): denying, wandering, devoting, mind controlling, and accepting [11].…”

“…Although the series of studies by Lee et al [11][12][13][14] shed light on how parents of children with autism experienced life transitions, there is little empirical evidence for how such transitional experiences influence parental psychological functioning or suggestions regarding the support and care needed for each phase of the LTP. Specifically, parents of children with ASD have a high risk of depression, yet few studies have addressed whether their symptoms change during the transitional process of caring for children with ASD.…”