A Study on the Validation of the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) for Functional Behavioral Assessment of Children with Developmental Disabilities including Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Abstract

This study attempted to revalidate the validity of the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) through psychometric verification. Participants were 145 children with developmental disabilities including 104 autism and 41 intellectual disabilities. 145 parents of children with developmental disabilities were participated as a examiner. Results of this study were as follows: First, the MAS was composed of four factors and 15 questions through exploratory factor analysis. Second, the MAS was revised by using the confirmatory factor analysis and the Modification Index(MI), and goodness-of-fit and convergent validity were verified. Third, the discriminant validity between potential variables of the MAS was verified. As a result of this study, the MAS was reconstructed into 4 factors 16 items including ‘complex’ factor 6 items, ‘tangible’ factor 3 items, ‘sensory’ 4 items, and ‘attention’ 3 items. However, the revised MAS did not fully fit the theoretical hypothesis. The results of this study were discussed. Finally, the implications and suggestions for further research were presented.