Construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment (LOTCA)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cognitive abilities are essential for children's development and independence. Various cognitive assessments, standardized in Western cultures, have yet to be investigated for their multicultural suitability. AIMS: To explore the suitability of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) for a Jordanian population. METHODS: Observed cases of 442 Jordanian children aged 6-12 were used to perform exploratory factor analyses using principal components with Varimax rotation (construct validity evidence) and to compute Cronbach's α coefficient (internal consistency reliability). RESULTS: High total performance on four subscales and a slightly lower total performance on two subscales were observed. Observed performance increased with age on three subtests, whereas a more modest increase was observed on the other three subscales. The expected one-factorial solution confirming the LOTCA's subscales homogeneity (unidimensionality) structure was found on five of six subscales. Variance explained by the subscales ranged from 39 to 82% and internal consistency reliability measured by Cronbach's alpha ranged from .42 to .78. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory construct validity and internal consistency reliability were demonstrated on two subscales applicable to Jordanian children without adaptation. With adequate cross-cultural adaptation, increasing internal consistency reliability in other subscales could make the LOTCA an effective tool for assessing cognitive abilities in this population.