Spanish Cultural Adaptation and Inter-Rater Reliability of the Test of Playfulness

To adapt the Test of Playfulness (ToP) to the Spanish context (culturally and linguistically) and analyze the inter-rater reliability of the translated version.

Following a specific methodology for cultural adaptation, direct and back translations were carried out, together with cognitive interviews with pediatric occupational therapists, to analyze the comprehensibility of the translated version. The resulting version was analyzed by a linguistic expert to determine its grammatical and linguistic adequacy. Finally, inter-rater reliability was analyzed in a sample of typically developing children aged between 4 years old and 6 years and 11 months (n = 12).

Direct and back translation phases showed a good conceptual equivalence with the original version. The cognitive interviews enabled the identification of difficulties surrounding the understanding and the terminology used in several items. The linguistic expert and the research team revision ensured that final grammatical and conceptual improvements were made. Inter-rater reliability analysis showed an almost perfect degree of agreement (0.82 ≤ κ ≤ 1.00; p < 0.001), as well as stability and a strong positive linear correlation (0.81; p < 0.001).

The translated version of the ToP fits the Spanish context and can be used in the clinical setting of pediatric occupational therapy in Spain.