Psychometric Properties of the Albanian Version of the Adult Self-Report for Ages 18-59

Abstract

The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) constitutes an all-inclusive evidence-based assessment system assessing competencies, adaptive functioning, social, emotional, and behavior problems of individuals from age of 1 1/2-90 years. ASEBA instruments are consistently used for clinical assessment, outcome evaluations, epidemiological survey and research. Its approach is also widely used for multicultural research. ASEBA instruments are translated and used in different cultures over the world in different settings such as mental health, medical, child and family, school, public health agencies etc. (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2015). Adult Self-Report for Ages 18-59 (ASR), an ASEBA self-report measure, are one of the most widely used and well-known psychometric measures for assessing adults’ adaptive functioning and emotional and behavior problems (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2003). In order to culturally adapt, standardize and validate the instrument for the Albanian context the reliability and validity of the ASR was examined using a national representative sample of 750 Albanian adults. In order to reach reliability, internal consistency analyses were performed. Empirically based syndrome scales of ASR in the Albanian sample ranged from .50 to .96 from the Cronbach’s alphas obtained with a mean alpha of .80, falling within the “good to excellent” range except for the Thought Problems syndrome scale having an alpha of .50. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a good model fit of ASR scales in the Albanian sample. Furthermore, Albanian norm scores and cut-off scores have been generated for the Albanian version of ASR. The article provides evidence regarding the psychometric properties and utility of ASR in the Albanian adult population for clinical assessment, outcome evaluations and research purposes.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n1p51