Empirical analysis of multidimensional measures of community adjustment for young adults with mental retardation

Confirmatory factor analysis procedures were used to evaluate multidimensional measures of community adjustment in a sample of 239 young adults with mild to severe mental retardation. Alternative measurement models were evaluated in one-half of the sample, with the final model cross-validated in the second half of the sample. The final cross-validated model was also evaluated as a function of level of retardation. Evidence was found for at least six broad dimensions of community adjustment when combined with other multidimensional research findings. The measurement of one dimension varied as a function of degree of retardation. Use of validated multidimensional measures of community adjustment in future research studies was discussed.