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A multitrait-multimethod study of the construct validity of frequently used behavior rating scales for hyperactivity
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of hyperactivity, aggression, inattention, and anxiety across informants/settings of parents, teachers, and youth/self using the multitrait-multimethod technique as discussed by Campbell and Fiske (1959). Selected measures for these constructs included the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklists for parents, teachers and youth (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1983; 1986; 1987), the SNAP Checklist for parents and teachers (Atkins, Pelham & Licht, 1985), the Conners' Checklists for parent and teachers (Goyette, Connors & Ulrich, 1978), the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (Reynolds & Richmond, 1978), and The What I Do Scale (Christoffersen, 1986). The subjects for this study included 447 adolescents between the age of 11 and 18. Subjects included a broad sample of children including special education students, clients of community mental health centers, nonhandicapped students, and nonreferred students. Ratings were obtained from parents, teachers and youth. Multitrait-multimethod (MTM) matrixes were evaluated according to criteria proposed by Campbell and Fiske (1959). While correlations between similar traits measured by dissimilar methods (MH) tended to be high and significant, so did correlations between both dissimilar traits measured by similar measures (HM) and dissimilar traits measured by dissimilar measures (HH). Convergent validity, therefore, was demonstrated, especially for externalizing traits. Discriminant validity, however, was poor for all measures. It was concluded that it is difficult to infer more than a general "nuisance value" from high scores youth receive on behavior rating factor scores. These results indicate that the construct validity of separate factor scores of behavior rating scales if poor. In addition, the distinction between disorders received poor support.
Subject Area
Educational psychology
Recommended Citation
Barbour, John Daniel, "A multitrait-multimethod study of the construct validity of frequently used behavior rating scales for hyperactivity" (1989). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8925225.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8925225