The Factor Structure of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) among a Sample of Autistic Children in the Egyptian Environment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Psychometrics Faculty of Arts - Assiut University

2 PhD researcher specializing in special categories Faculty of Arts - Assiut University

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the factor structure of the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) in a sample of autistic children. The study also aimed at investigating  the efficiency and validity of the scale for use in the Egyptian environment. The  study sample consisted of 119 children with autism (68 males, 51 females), aged between 6 and 12 years (Mage= 6.97 years, SD= 2.44years). The original modified version of the Repetitive Behavior Scale which is consisted of 43 items was translated. After collecting the data from the study sample, the exploratory factor analysis of the six dimensions of the scale were (stereotypical behavior, self-harm behavior, compulsive behavior, ritual behavior, monotonous behavior, restrictive behavior). The results showed that the six factors were saturated on one factor where the underlying roots were 3.93, and the correlation variance was 65.57. The structural validity of the model was also verified using confirmatory factor analysis. The results showed that the model was well matched and the indicators were acceptable with Chi-square = 1444.178, DF = 835, CMIN / DF = 1.730, GFI = 0.891, TLI = 0.867, CFI = 0.897, RMSEA = 0.067. The scale was also characterized by structural validity (convergent – discriminant validity), as the internal consistency coefficients of the items to dimensions ranged between (0.524 - 0.835) and the sub-dimensions to the overall degree between (0.668 - 0.888), and the coefficient of re - application stability ranged between (0.712 - 0.885) for the sub-dimensions, and 0.845 for the scale as a whole, and as the Cronbach's alpha stability coefficients ranged between 0.776 to 0.900 and the Cronbach's alpha stability was 0.956 for the scale as a whole. The spilt half coefficients after the correction of Spearman Brown ranged from 0.822 to 0.922, and with the Gettman equation ranged from 0.832 to 0.913 for the sub-dimensions, and for the overall score was 0.967.

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