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The Adapted Firesetting Assessment Scale: reliability and validity.
J Collins1, P E Langdon2,3, M Barnoux1
1Tizard Centre, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|May 27, 2022
Summary
The Adapted Firesetting Assessment Scale (AFAS) shows good reliability and can distinguish between individuals with and without firesetting history. Further research is needed to examine its factor structure.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Disabilities
- Forensic Psychology
Background:
- The Adapted Firesetting Assessment Scale (AFAS) was created for adults with developmental disabilities to assess fire-related behaviors.
- Key factors targeted include attitudes toward fire, interest in fire, normalization of fire, and fire safety awareness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Adapted Firesetting Assessment Scale (AFAS).
- To assess the reliability, validity, comprehensibility, relevance, and comprehensiveness of the AFAS.
Main Methods:
- The AFAS was administered to 59 adults with developmental disabilities on two occasions.
- Participants included individuals with and without a history of firesetting.
- Feedback was collected from participants and professionals regarding the questionnaire.
Main Results:
- The AFAS demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability.
- Subscales related to attitudes toward fire, fire normalization, and fire safety effectively discriminated between firesetters and non-firesetters.
- Content analysis confirmed that AFAS items were understood, relevant, accessible, and comprehensible.
Conclusions:
- The AFAS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing firesetting-related factors in adults with developmental disabilities.
- Further investigation into the factor structure of the AFAS is recommended through a larger study.
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