The Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence: Development and Initial Validation

Abstract

We developed and began construct validation of the Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence (MAHC), a self-report instrument assessing the ability to negotiate effectively a range of challenging other-sex social interactions. Development followed the Goldfried and D'Zurilla (1969) behavioral-analytic model for assessing competence. Approximately 700 adolescents participated in 5 systematic studies. Studies 1 through 4 generated the MAHC item and response content, as well as the basis for response scoring. In the first 3 studies, extensive data were collected from the target population regarding problematic heterosocial situations and potential responses to those situations. In Study 4, expert jdudges rated the relative effectiveness of the adolescent-identified behavioral responses. In the final study, scale reliability and construct validity of the resulting 40-item multiple-choice self-report instrument were examined. Factor analysis yielded no interpretable factors, and the internal consistency of the total scale was acceptable (alpha =.73). Investigation of convergent and discriminant validity revealed that the MAHC was significantly related to measures of general social competence and anxiety in heterosexual situations and was not associated with a measure of socioeconomic status. Contrary to expectations, the MAHC was not correlated with peer ratings of social acceptance.

Differentiating Interpersonal Correlates of Depressive Symptoms and Social Anxiety in Adolescence: Implications for Models of Comorbidity

“…2 The Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence lists 40 heterosocial situations and asks participants to choose one of four multiple-choice responses that best describes how they would respond. The measure has shown adequate internal consistency and discriminant and convergent validity in adolescent samples (Grover et al, 2005) and in our study has a Cronbach's alpha of .67. We assessed participants' number of friends by asking them to list all of their friends' first names and then to specify each friend's gender and whether he or she was a close friend.…”

“…The Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence (Grover, Nangle, & Zeff, 2005) assesses competence in romantic situations and other types of interactions with opposite sex peers. 2 The Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence lists 40 heterosocial situations and asks participants to choose one of four multiple-choice responses that best describes how they would respond.…”

Romantic Functioning and Depressive Symptoms Among Early Adolescent Girls: The Moderating Role of Parental Emotional Availability

“…Higher scores indicate greater competence. The MAHC has demonstrated adequate internal consistency (a ¼ .73) and convergent and discriminant validity (Grover et al, 2005). In our sample, alpha was .67.…”

“…The Measure of Adolescent Heterosocial Competence (MAHC; Grover, Nangle, & Zeff, 2005) was also used to assess competence in opposite-sex relationships. The MAHC is a 40-item multiple-choice questionnaire that presents different heterosocial dilemmas (some related to dating and some related to nondating situations) and asks adolescents what they would do in each.…”

Clinical consensus strategies for interpersonal problems between young adults and their parents.

“…In the years since 1969, the behavioral-analytic model has become one of the most widely used approaches for assessing competence over a variety of relevant situations (Grover, Nangle, & Zeff, 2005). The model has been used in several content areas related to clinical phenomena.…”