Two Different Validity Study of Ankara Developmental Screening İnventory (Adsi): Criterion- Related Validity and Concurrent Discriminaton Validity

Objective:

The objective of this paper is twofold. The aim of the fi rst study is to determine the criterion validity of Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI) by comparing the general development of the fi ve age groups (3-5 months, 5-7months, 8-9 months, 9-12 months and 13-18 months old babies) assessed both by ADSI and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Since the fi ndings of recent studies indicate that, the blood hemoglobin and ferritin concentration levels can be used as critical variables in predicting developmental delay in infancy; the second study was designed to study the criterion-related validity of ADSI in clinical groups of six months old infants with high and low hemoglobin– Ferritin levels. Thus, the aim of the second study is to verify the discrimination validity of the inventory on a clinical sample with high and low hemoglobin–Ferritin levels on mental and motor development of six months old infants.

Method:

The fi rst sample consist 75 babies (39 girls, 36 boys) within the range of normal development, with no physical or medical handicaps. Pearson Moment Correlations for fi ve age groups between ADSI-Total, and Bayley Mental Developmental Index B-DMI were computed. The sample of the second study consisted of 87 (43 Girls, 44Boys) infants and their mothers. The cut off points for hemoglobin and Ferritin levels were 10.5g/dl, and 20mg/L, respectively. Firstly, BSID was individually administered to infants. Later, mothers were interviewed by ADSI by a clinical psychologist who had no information about the hemoglobin-Ferritin levels of the babies. The Developmental levels of the two groups were compared by computing t-tests on Bayley- Mental Developmental Index (B-MDI) and ADSI-Total scores.

Results:

For the fi rst study, Pearson Moment Correlations between ADSI-Total, and Bayley Mental Developmental Index B-DMI scores; and ADSI-Cognitive Language and B-DMI were also high and statistically signifi cant for all ages groups were high and statistically signifi cant for all age groups. Pearson Moment Correlations between ADSI-Fine and Gross Motor scores were also high and statistically signifi cant for all age groups, except 13-18 months group. Results of the second study yielded that there were signifi cant differences in both ADSI-T and B-MID scores of the high and low hemoglobin- Ferritin groups.

Discussion:

Findings of the fi rst study indicate that the criterion related validity of ADSITotal and ADSI subscales is signifi cantly high; and the inventory is highly recommended to be used in large scale samples for screening the high risk groups that are within the range of 3-18months. Thus, ADSI can be highly recommended for screening the potential developmental risks in clinical samples as well as in regular infant check-ups and infant research studies in addition to the advantages of scale like being short and easy to administer.