The Arc’s Self-Determination Scale: Validatie van de Nederlandse vertaling

Aim The objective of this study was to validate the Dutch translation of the American Arc‟s Self-Determination Scale for use at schools for children with intellectual disabilities and/or learning disabilities. The Arc‟s Self-Determination Scale consists of 72 items (4 characteristics) and was designed to (1) determine the level of a child‟s self-determination, and (2) determine strengths and weaknesses concerning a child‟s self-determination. Method 211 students from 14 to 19 years old attending 6 schools for Special Education completed the translated version of the Self-Determination Scale. First a literature study was executed to determine the content validity. Then the data were analyzed in three different ways: (1) the Cronbach‟s alpha was calculated as a measure of internal reliability, (2) the testretest reliability was analyzed using Pearson correlations and (3) a confirmative factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to determine construct validity. Results The content validity of the Dutch translation turned out to be good. Overall acceptable internal reliability was found (ranging from .589 to .824). The test-retest reliability was good for the subscales Psychological Empowerment (r=.781) and Self-realization (r=.741). The subscales Autonomy and Self-Regulation had a low test-retest reliability (r= .526 and r= .334). The factor structure of the Dutch translation did match with the original version for Self-Realization, but not for the subscales Autonomy and Psychological Empowerment. Conclusion The Dutch translation of the Arc‟s Self-Determination Scale proves to have good content validity and overall there‟s enough internal consistency. Construct validity wasn‟t confirmed for all subscales based on the CFA, but the factors did seem to be content based. More research is needed to determine the test-retest reliability of the Dutch translation.