Reliability and Construct Validity of a Child Self-Report Instrument

Abstract

Both clinicians and researchers agree on the value of self-report in child mental health assessment. The pictorial format of the computerized Dominic Interactive is an addition to the existing questionnaires, specifically concerning young children. Although prior studies on the Dominic Interactive reported favorable psychometric properties, the reliability was not always satisfactory for every scale, and no studies confirmed the proposed DSM-IV factor structure of the Dominic Interactive. This study examines these two psychometric aspects using a sample of 1,504 Dutch primary-school children aged 6–13 years. α was computed and compared with ω, an alternative index of reliability. CFA was conducted as was the measurement invariance at a configural, scalar, and metric level across both age and sex. The results showed that ω values were above .80, indicating good to high reliability for all scales. The DSM-IV factor structure was confirmed and proved to be identical across age groups and among both boys and girls in this sample. These findings lay the foundation for the meaningful use of the norms needed in clinical practice. They also contribute to the increasing value of the Dominic Interactive as a self-report instrument in child mental health screening.

The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: psychometric properties of the parent and teacher version in children aged 4–7

“…In line with our expectations regarding reliability, we found consistently higher omega coefficients than Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. These results mesh with previous studies investigating omega and alpha [ 12 , 42 ]. With the relatively low alpha coefficients being reported previously it has been argued to refrain from using the separate subscales of the SDQ, specifically so for the conduct problems and peer problems scales [ 2 , 19 ].…”

“…This measure shows the relationship between the variance explained by a factor and the total amount of variance to be explained by that factor, and has been recommended to be used [ 8 ]. Research in which omega is applied to the SDQ, has shown good results [ 12 , 42 ]. Reliability measures less than 0.70 are considered moderate, reliability measures between 0.70 and 0.80 are regarded sufficient, and measures above 0.80 are good [ 43 ].…”

Recognizing Decision-Making Using Eye Movement: A Case Study With Children

“…Also, the main idea of this paper was to use simple stimuli that children could make quick and simple choice, following the notion presented by Marewski et al (2009) and Arkes et al (2016) for the consistency and simplicity in cognitive process. Finally, this type of paper contribution helps to understand human behavior and regardless of certain restrictions that a self-report may have in research of this nature (Song et al, 1994;Chambers, 2002;Sturgess et al, 2002;Kuijpers et al, 2014), we can continue to create relationships with adjacent theories and methods.…”

“…The potential of the eye movement method can reveal information about children's gaze behavior. In contrast, according to the literature related to self-reports, children can be assessed through different traditional methods, but there are multiple limitations such as age-group of interest, styling of self-report instruments, response formats for self-report, language, space contamination, concrete or styling stimuli, and design elements to consider (Song et al, 1994;Chambers, 2002;Sturgess et al, 2002;Kuijpers et al, 2014). This limitation types gives partial information when we use self-report, however, possibilities using the implicit measure combined the traditional assessment and gaze or eye movement can support a novel consumer research.…”

The Interactive Child Distress Screener: Development and Preliminary Feasibility Testing

“…More recently, engaging and innovative approaches using digital technologies have been trialed. Examples include the Dominic Interactive [ 19 ], a computer-based diagnostic assessment that utilizes child-friendly (static) images, and maps onto 7 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition disorders with demonstrated reliability and construct validity [ 20 ]; the Mood Assessment via Animated Characters [ 21 ], which uses digitally animated characters to assess internalized mood states (feelings) in young children aged between 4 and 11 years, and which has been shown to discriminate between anxious and nonanxious children [ 14 ]; and TickiT, a psychosocial screening app for adolescent youths that has been employed in hospital settings [ 22 , 23 ]. Similarly, a computer-administered, pictorial version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) has also been investigated with children aged between 8 and 15 years, with some evidence of clinical sensitivity (in children 11 years and older), higher user satisfaction ratings, and improved engagement compared with the standard pencil-and-paper version [ 24 ].…”