Construct validity of the Motor Development Scale (MDS)

Author(s)

Paola Matiko Martins Okuda ^[1] ; Erika Félix ^[2] ; Hugo Cogo-Moreira ; Ting Liu ^[4] ; Pamela J. Surkan ^[5] ; Silvia S. Martins ^[6] ; Sheila C. Caetano ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica - Brasil

^[4] Texas State University. Department of Health and Human Performance - Estados Unidos

^[5] Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Department of International Health. Social and Behavioral Interventions Program - Estados Unidos

^[6] Columbia University. Mailman School of Public Health. Department of Epidemiology - Estados Unidos

^[7] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy; v. 42, n. 1, p. 82-85, 2020-04-17.

Abstract

Abstract Objective Construct validity for the Motor Development Scale (MDS) has not been established. The aim of this study was to examine whether the unidimensional model of MDS would be appropriate for children aged 4 to 6 years-old and provide construct validity for the items concerning this age group in Brazil. Methods A total of 938 children participated in the study (214 4-year-olds, 643 5-year-olds, and 81 6-year-olds). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate construct validity of the MDS using a unidimensional model. Results The CFA for the unidimensional model showed excellent adequacy indices for age 4: χ2(2) = 0.581, p = 0.748, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.000, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 1.090, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.000 (90% confidence interval [90%CI] = 0.000 to 0.093, close fit [Cfit] = 0.841); age 5: χ2(2) = 2.669, p = 0.263, CFI = 0.993, TLI = 0.980, RMSEA = 0.023 (90%CI = 0.000 to 0.085, Cfit = 0.682), weighted root mean square residual (WRMR) = 0.407; and age 6: χ2(9) = 8.275, p = 0.506, CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.010, RMSEA = 0.000 (90%CI = 0.000 to 0.118, Cfit = 0.653), WRMR = 0.495. Reliability was good: ω = 0.87 (95%CI = 0.81 to 0.92). Conclusion The proposed unidimensional solution for the MDS provides a concise, parsimonious and reliable way to assess motor development in children aged 4 to 6 years. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/10120-1 - Teacher-student interaction and mental health in preschool children
• Grantee: Sheila Cavalcante Caetano
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants