Construct validity of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire in Finnish 13-year-old adolescents: Differences in the self-images of boys and girls |
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Authors: | Eila Laukkanen Pirjo Halonen Anneli Aivio Heimo Viinamäki Johannes Lehtonen |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Hospital, P.O. Box 1777, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland;2. Computing Centre, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland |
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Abstract: | The construct validity of the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ) was examined among 13-year-old Finns. Questionnaires were completed by 268 pupils at school. The construct validity was studied by means of factor analysis. Factor analysis involving 130 items yielded 5 factors with different content: an anxious self, a coping self, awareness by the adolescents of their place in the world, social relationships, and sexuality. The factor solution was moderately useful; it included most of the original items (71%) and explained 31% of the total variance. Boys were more anxious and had a more negative social and sexual self-image than the girls. The OSIQ estimates adolescents' self-images in a multidimensional manner. When interpreting the scores, it is important to consider sex differences and the developmental stage of the adolescent. Despite its limitations, the OSIQ remains a moderately valid and clinically relevant method for use in the clinical assessment of adolescents. |
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Keywords: | Adolescence Assessment Construct Validity Offer Self Image Questionnaire Self Image |
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