Perceived Autonomy in People With Intellectual Disabilities: Psychometric Properties of an Easy-to-Read...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Disability Studies
• Health Sciences

Background:

• The understanding of intellectual disability (ID) has shifted towards a multidimensional perspective.
• This approach emphasizes environmental and contextual factors.
• Autonomy is recognized as crucial for the well-being and quality of life of individuals with ID.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of a novel Easy-to-Read (E2R) self-report measure of perceived autonomy.
• To adapt and validate this measure for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 492 adults with ID in Spain who completed the E2R autonomy scale.
• Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to examine the scale's structure.
• Reliability and validity were assessed using established psychometric techniques.

Main Results:

• Participants reported moderate levels of perceived autonomy.
• Factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure: autonomy in future planning and autonomy in daily activities.
• The scale demonstrated adequate fit, good internal consistency, and evidence of convergent and discriminant validity.

Conclusions:

• The E2R scale is a reliable and valid self-report instrument for assessing perceived autonomy in people with ID.
• Individuals with ID can differentiate between autonomy in daily activities and future planning.
• The findings confirm that adapted self-report measures enable direct reporting of perceived autonomy by people with ID.