Psychometric properties of the MESSY Scale (self-assessment) in Argentinean children

• Main Authors: Ipina, Maria Julia, Molina, Leonardo, Reyna, Cecilia
• Format: Others
• Language: Español
• Published: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú 2012
• Subjects: Psychology; Social Skills; Psychometric; Children; Habilidades Sociales; Psicometría; Niños
• Online Access: http://revistas.pucp.edu.pe/index.php/psicologia/article/view/2468/2417; http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/102474

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (Matson, Rotatori & Helsel, 1983), which assesses specific social skills involved in adaptive and non-adaptive behaviors. The factor structure and internal consistency were studied in a sample of children from Cordoba (n = 578) of 7 to 13 years old (M = 9.48, SD = 1.47) of both sexes (52.77% males). An exploratory study of data and variables was conducted; then the factor structure was studied. Results suggest that the structure of five factors was the simplest and theoretically most consistent: Aggressiveness/Antisocial Behavior, Appropriate Social Skills, Friendship, Overconfidence/Jealousy/Pride and Loneliness/ Social Anxiety. The internal consistent coefficients were good or acceptable in most dimensions. Gender differences observed in the dimensions and total score provide evidence of the validity of the instrument. === Se evalúan las propiedades psicométricas de la versión de Autoinforme de la Escala Matson para la Evaluación de Habilidades Sociales con Jóvenes (Matson, Rotatori & Helsel, 1983), que permite evaluar habilidades sociales especificas implicadas en comportamientos adaptativos y no adaptativos. Se estudia la estructura factorial y consistencia interna en una muestra de niños cordobeses (n = 578) con edades entre los 7 y 13 anos (M = 9.48, DE = 1.47), de ambos sexos (52.77% varones). Se analizaron los datos y variables de manera exploratoria, y luego se analizo la estructura factorial. La estructura de 5 factores resulto la más simple y teóricamente coherente: Agresividad/Conducta Antisocial, Habilidades Sociales Apropiadas, Amistad, Sobreconfianza/Celos/Soberbia y Soledad/Ansiedad Social. Los índices de consistencia interna fueron buenos o aceptables en la mayoría de dimensiones. Las diferencias de sexo en las distintas dimensiones y en la puntuación total ofrecen evidencia de la validez del instrumento.