Abstract:
Objective: This study examined factor structure of AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scale-Residential and Community: Second Edition (ABS-RC: 2). Method: The present study is a secondary analysis which conducted by using the ABS-RC: 2 normative sample of 4103 examinees above 18 years old with developmental disabilities residing in the community (e.g.، at home with parents، in community– based residence of 16 or less) or in residential facilities. The correlation matrix for the 18 domains of ABS-RC: 2 obtained from Nihira، Leland، and Lambert (1993، p. 40). Results: The results from combined and separate analyses of domains of ABSRC: 2 showed that the domains of the scale loads on two major components/factors (personal independence and social behavior). Conclusion: Interpretation of the ABS-RC: 2 scores should focus on its two major conceptual components (personal independence and social behavior) rather than the five factors and 18 domains endorsed by its authors.
Machine summary:
Findings: The results obtained from the separate and combined analysis of the (ABS-RC:2) domains showed that the domains of the adaptive behavior scale for adults load onto two major components (factors) named personal independence and social-behavioral.
Conclusion: In interpreting (ABS-RC:2) scores, instead of the 5 factors and 81 domains proposed by the scale authors, focus should be placed on two major conceptual components, namely personal independence and social behavior.
Although the 2-factor solution sufficiently explains the variance in the correlation matrix (ABS-RC:2), it is better to over-estimate the number of factors by 15 than to under-estimate them by 25 (Fava, Lavielle, and Valser, 1991).
Table 3- Factor structure matrix coefficients for the three-factor solution with Promax rotation (N=3014) (Refer to the page image) Discussion and Conclusion The present study showed that the variance in the correlation matrix of (ABS-RC:2) is significantly explained by two factors.
However, the two factors that were empirically extracted in this study, which is consistent with the conceptual division made by the authors of (ABS-RC:2), who have divided its domains into two sections: personal independence and social behavior.
The findings of this study indicate that in interpreting (ABS-RC:2) scores, instead of the 5 factors and 81 domains proposed by the scale authors, focus should be placed on two major conceptual components, namely personal independence and social behavior.
In the present study, for conducting the analysis, the correlation among the 81 domains reported by Neehyra, Lalland, and Lambert (1991) was used.
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