Psychometric Properties of the School Liking and Avoidance Questionnaire in a Turkish Preschool Sample

Abstract

In this study, the replicability of the factor structure of The School Liking and Avoidance Questionnaire for Turkish preschool children and the psychometric properties of the scale were investigated. The SLAQ consists of 14 items and is used to assess children's emotional and behavioral participation in school based on children's perceptions. 345 children aged 5-6 years were included in the study. The findings of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, to assess the validity of the scale in Turkish culture, have identified two distinct but related factors: school liking and school avoidance. This result is consistent with the original scale and the adaptation studies in different cultures. However, there were no significant correlations between children and teacher reports on school liking and school avoidance subdimensions. Cronbach's Alpha and test-retest ratios for subdimensions showed adequate psychometric properties. This data support the Turkish version of the SLAQ as a valid and reliable tool, similar to the original version.

Keywords

• school adjustment
• preschool
• school liking and avoidance questionnaire
• scale adaptation

Psychometric Properties of the School Liking and Avoidance Questionnaire in a Turkish Preschool Sample

Öz

In this study, the replicability of the factor structure of The School Liking and Avoidance Questionnaire for Turkish preschool children and the psychometric properties of the scale were investigated. The SLAQ consists of 14 items and is used to assess children's emotional and behavioral participation in school based on children's perceptions. 345 children aged 5-6 years were included in the study. The findings of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, to assess the validity of the scale in Turkish culture, have identified two distinct but related factors: school liking and school avoidance. This result is consistent with the original scale and the adaptation studies in different cultures. However, there were no significant correlations between children and teacher reports on school liking and school avoidance subdimensions. Cronbach's Alpha and test-retest ratios for subdimensions showed adequate psychometric properties. This data support the Turkish version of the SLAQ as a valid and reliable tool, similar to the original version.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• School adjustment
• Preschool
• School liking and avoidance questionnaire
• Scale adaptation

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