Construct Validity and Reliability of the Children Participation Assessment Scale-Child version in Children with Physical Disabilities

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the construct validity and reliability of the Children Participation Assessment Scale in activities outside of School–Child version (CPAS-C) in 6-12-year-old children with physical disabilities (PDs). MATERIALS & METHODS: In this methodological study, participants were 100 children with PDs, recruited from a school for exceptional children with physical-motor disabilities and 100 normally developing children. For assessing the test-retest reliability (ICC), 40 children with PDs completed CPAS-C within a two-week interval, and for assessing the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and construct validity, 100 children with PDs separately completed the Vinland Adaptive Behavioral Scale (VABS) and CPAS-C. RESULT: The majority of participants were children with CP, among whom the highest and lowest ratios were related to diplegia (32%) and dystonia (1%), respectively. The results showed that CPAS-C had acceptable reliability (ICC: 0.6-0.99). Cronbach’s α score was between weak to moderate (α = 0.25-0.75). The difference in the score of participation between the two groups (normally developing children and children with physical disabilities) was significant in all areas (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The CPAS-C had acceptable psychometric properties; it can be used as a valid and reliable tool for assessing the participation of 6-12-year-old children with PDs in school activities.