An examination of the measurement properties of the Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire

Susan Andersen*, Gary Kielhofner, Jin Shei Lai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire (PVQ) is a 15-item play-based assessment of a child's motivational strengths and weaknesses in various settings based on the Model of Human Occupation. A previous study examined the PVQ's ability to provide a valid measure of volition in ten non-disabled children. This study combined data from the previous study with data on eight children with disabilities to further lest the instrument's psychometric properties. Data on 36 observations of the 18 participants were observed by a total of 20 raters. Each rater was randomly assigned to rate videotapes. Data were analyzed using the Rasch Measurement Model. Results indicate that the 15 items of the scale work well together to measure volition and were well matched to the volitional levels of the sample group. Nineteen of the twenty raters used the scale in a valid manner, though scores were affected by the extent of severity/leniency of the rater. All eighteen participants were validly rated and the scale items effectively differentiated levels of volition among the eighteen children. These findings supported the conclusion that the PVQ provides a valid and sensitive measure of volition. The study also found that the 4-point rating scale operated as a 3-point scale in this study and that raters differentiated in their severity/leniency. These latter findings indicate the need to further clarify the rating scale.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)39-57
Number of pages19
JournalPhysical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
Volume25
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Assessment process
  • Model of Human Occupation
  • Occupational therapy
  • Pediatric
  • Rasch Analysis
  • Volition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Occupational Therapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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