Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Children's Scale for Hostility and Aggression: Reactive/Proactive (C-SHARP)
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Date
2008-04
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Abstract
Although the problem of aggression in children with developmental disabilities is pervasive, there are currently no scales adequate for its measurement. This study explored the factor structure and psychometric characteristics of the Children’s Scale for Hostility and Aggression, Reactive/Proactive (C-SHARP). The C-SHARP comprises 58 items with two Likert scales: (a) the Problem Scale, where frequency and severity are rated, and (b) the Provocation Scale, where the degree of proactivity or reactivity is evaluated. The ratings of 365 children with developmental disability (mean age, 12.5 years; 60.5% male) were subjected to exploratory factor analysis. The most appropriate factor structure, judged by face validity and measures of fit and reliability, left 48 items on five factors: (I) Verbal Aggression, (II) Bullying, (III) Covert Aggression, (IV) Hostility, and (V) Physical Aggression. The fit of the model was adequate (RMSEA = 0.071), and the internal consistency of the subscales was high (average α = 0.87). The validity of the C-SHARP was explored using demographic, diagnostic, and medication variables. Several validation groups differed in expected ways on C-SHARP subscales scores, supporting the convergent and divergent validity of the instrument. Interrater reliability was extremely high on the Problem Scale (ICCs ranged from 0.67 for Hostility, to 0.91 for Bullying); although interrater reliability was considerably lower for the Provocation Scale. Overall, the C-SHARP appears to have good reliability and validity, and has promise as a useful tool in the assessment of children with developmental disabilities.
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Poster: 1st Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum)
Keywords
aggression, children, scale development, intellectual and developmental disabilities