Identifying gravitational insecurity in children: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study developed an observational assessment of gravitational insecurity (GI), the GI Assessment, and examined its preliminary reliability and validity evidence.


METHODS
The GI Assessment consisted of 15 activities that created conditions characterized as fear-inducing for children with gravitational insecurity. Three behavioral categories-avoidance, emotional, and postural responses--were scored for each activity. Participants were 18 children with gravitational insecurity, ages 5-10 years, and a matched group of children who were typically developing. Forty-eight preschoolers who were typically developing, ages 2-4 years, were examined for developmental trends.


RESULTS
Significant differences were found between groups. Discriminant analysis classified 83% of the gravitationally insecure group and 100% of the typical group. Interrater reliability for the total test was .79. Performance of preschool children suggested a developmental age trend.


CONCLUSIONS
The GI Assessment is a promising clinical tool for objectively identifying children with gravitational insecurity.
May-Benson
Teresa A
TA
Occupational Therapy Department, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, USA. tmay-benson@alum.bu.edu
Koomar
Jane A
JA
D001007:Anxiety; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000295:instrumentation; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014481:United States