Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Autism Social Skills Profile
Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Skills, Psychometric Properties, Confirmatory Factor AnalysisAbstract
The present study was conducted to determine the psychometric properties and examine the factor structure of the Persian version of the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The current study was descriptive-analytical in nature and was conducted within the framework of psychometric research. The statistical population included all children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the city of Tehran. From this population, a sample of 420 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years was selected, including two groups of 210 participants each: one group with typical development and the other consisting of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Participants were randomly selected from regular schools, autism schools, and autism centers in Iran. Fifteen participants from each group also participated in the test–retest procedure. The instruments used in this study included the Autism Social Skills Profile (ASSP) and the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (GARS-2). Data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), internal consistency indices (Cronbach’s alpha), temporal stability (test–retest reliability), and convergent validity analysis. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the measurement models demonstrated satisfactory fit within the Iranian population. Reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha and test–retest reliability) for both scales were calculated at a significant level (p < .001), indicating high stability and internal consistency of the instruments. Furthermore, the significant negative correlations between the scores of the studied instruments and the GARS-2 scale confirmed the convergent validity and clinical discriminative validity of the instruments. The Persian version of the Autism Social Skills Profile demonstrated strong psychometric properties and can be considered an effective instrument for clinical assessment and monitoring of educational interventions in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder within the Iranian cultural context. The application of these instruments in rehabilitation centers may substantially contribute to more accurate diagnosis and the development of individualized treatment programs.
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