Cutoff Scores for the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals With Severe Retardation (MESSIER) for Adults With Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Social skills are defining aspects of intellectual disability (ID). Additionally, their presence or absence can be a major impediment to independent living, and they correlate with other problems in the ID population, such as comorbid psychopathology. To date, little has been done to develop scales to measure these problems, particularly for adults. One exception has been the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for the Severely Retarded (MESSIER). The scale has well established reliability, however many of its psychometric properties have yet to be explored. This study was designed to establish cutoff scores for the total score and factors and to explore the relationship of individual items to severity of social deficits. Participants are adults with severe or profound ID, assessed on the MESSIER. Specific psychometrics for the test including cutoff scores are established. The implications of these data for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Effect of a classroom-based intervention on the social skills of pupils with intellectual disability in Southwest Nigeria

“…Greater severity of ID has been associated with more impairment in the range of communication skills, hence, there is a significant reduction in both positive and negative behaviours [41]. Individuals with higher IQ score, are able to display a wider range of communicative and verbal behaviours, although a significant part of it is negative [41].…”

“…Greater severity of ID has been associated with more impairment in the range of communication skills, hence, there is a significant reduction in both positive and negative behaviours [41]. Individuals with higher IQ score, are able to display a wider range of communicative and verbal behaviours, although a significant part of it is negative [41]. As a result, carers are more likely to report more difficulties in social interaction in those with higher IQ than those with lower IQ scores who tend to display reduced capacity for both verbal and nonverbal skills.…”

“…The MESSIER has been shown to have good psychometric properties, with an internal consistency of r = 0.94, inter-rater of r = 0.73 and test–retest reliability of r = 0.86 after 2–3 weeks [7]. Cut-off scores of >151, 111–151 and <111 indicate no/minimal impairment, moderate impairment, and severe social skill impairment respectively [40, 41]. …”

Measurement of side effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in adults with intellectual disability: A systematic review

“…Although it is positive these measures were developed for the ID population they do not gather the data from the ID patient themselves leading to proxy quality of life scores. [104], Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) [105], Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) [106], Fragebogens zur Persönlichkeit bei zerebralen Erkrankungen (FPZ) and the Whelan and Speake Rating Scale [107]. All these measures apart from the Key Carer-rated Visual Analogue Scale and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), were carer-rated in the reported studies.…”

Aplicación de un nuevo programa de habilidades sociales a un grupo de adultos con discapacidad intelectual

“…En la misma dirección, Bremer y Smith (2004) argumentan que parte de los problemas que incorpora el déficit en estas habilidades se traducen en conductas oposicionistas, problemas conductuales, influencias negativas de grupos de pares, abuso de drogas o dificultades familiares, entre otras. Matson y Boisjoli (2008) añaden que la ausencia de habilidades sociales puede suponer un importante impedimento para la vida independiente y favorece la aparición de psicopatología comórbida en este colectivo.…”