Psychometric Properties and Utility of the Social Vulnerability Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Although it is well-known that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are socially vulnerable, the field lacks valid assessments to identify risk factors for victimization. Parents/caregivers of 428 individuals with IDD (ages 12-53) completed the social vulnerability questionnaire (SVQ), a measure developed to assess specific aspects of social vulnerability among individuals with various forms of IDD. This study examined the psychometric structure of the SVQ (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), and the utility of the factors of the SVQ as predictors of diagnostic category (through discriminate function analysis). Results provide psychometric support for use of the SVQ and its factors for further research and as part of a clinical assessment battery to assess social vulnerability and to develop interventions.

Cross-cultural preliminary validation of a measure of social vulnerability in people with intellectual disabilities

“…Further research should examine social vulnerability reports through the lens of intersubjectivity in order to inform an understanding of the intersection between vulnerability traits and the social contexts eliciting these traits. As a self-report measure, the TV-22 could be used with the SVQ (Fisher et al, 2018), which is a third-party report measure. Together, these evaluations would lead to a fuller picture of the person's strengths and limitations in social risky situations.…”

“…Social vulnerability refers to the ways in which an individual is at risk of being victimised. Individuals are considered to be socially vulnerable when they fail to avoid negative social relationships (Fisher et al, 2018).…”

“…The SVQ has been validated among a sample of 428 individuals (M = 21.38 years; SD = 8.03) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Fisher et al, 2018). The SVQ is characterised by a six-factor structure (vulnerable appearance [α = .66], risk awareness [α = .81], parental independence [α = .76], social protection [α = .75], credulity [α = .82] and experience of emotional abuse [α = .91]).…”

“…The SVQ is characterised by a six-factor structure (vulnerable appearance [α = .66], risk awareness [α = .81], parental independence [α = .76], social protection [α = .75], credulity [α = .82] and experience of emotional abuse [α = .91]). Confirmatory factor analysis on the SVQ delivered good to excellent fit indices (RMSEA = 0.05, TLI = 0.91, CFI = 0.92) and the differential correlation patterns among the six SVQ factors indicated good discriminant validity within the SVQ (Fisher et al, 2018). Lough and Fisher (2016) also compared results at parent report and self-report of 102 adults (M = 27.83 years; SD = 7.96) with Williams Syndrome [WS] on the SVQ.…”

A Distance-Delivered Social Skills Program for Young Adults with Williams Syndrome: Evaluating Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy

“…In addition to displaying mild to moderate levels of intellectual disability (estimated mean IQ of 50–60; Martens et al, 2008 ), individuals with WS are often characterized as overly friendly, socially disinhibited (Davies et al, 1998 ; Jones et al, 2000 ), and demonstrating extreme interest in interacting with others (Klein-Tasman et al, 2011 ; Mervis et al, 2003 ). Despite this sociable nature, they also exhibit poor social skills across the lifespan that can lead to negative social outcomes (e.g., Fisher et al, 2020a , b ; Jawaid et al, 2012 ; Sullivan et al, 2003 ).…”