An item response theory analysis of Harter's Self-Perception Profile for children or why strong clinical scales should be distrusted.
The authors investigated the psychometric properties of the subscales of the Self-Perception Profile for Children with item response theory (IRT) models using a sample of 611 children. Results from a nonparametric Mokken analysis and a parametric IRT approach for boys (n = 268) and girls (n = 343) were compared. The authors found that most scales formed weak scales and that measurement precision was relatively low and only present for latent trait values indicating low self-perception. The subscales Physical Appearance and Global Self-Worth formed one strong scale. Children seem to interpret Global Self-Worth items as if they measure Physical Appearance. Furthermore, the authors found that strong Mokken scales (such as Global Self-Worth) consisted mostly of items that repeat the same item content. They conclude that researchers should be very careful in interpreting the total scores on the different Self-Perception Profile for Children scales. Finally, implications for further research are discussed.
University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
Iris J L
IJ
Egberink
Rob R
RR
Meijer
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010556:Personality Tests; D011287:Prejudice; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric