Construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment (LOTCA)

Abstract

Background

Cognitive abilities are essential for children’s development and independence. Various cognitive assessments, standardized in Western cultures, have yet to be investigated for their multicultural suitability.

Aims

To explore the suitability of the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) for a Jordanian population.

Methods

Observed cases of 442 Jordanian children aged 6–12 were used to perform exploratory factor analyses using principal components with Varimax rotation (construct validity evidence) and to compute Cronbach’s α coefficient (internal consistency reliability).

Results

High total performance on four subscales and a slightly lower total performance on two subscales were observed. Observed performance increased with age on three subtests, whereas a more modest increase was observed on the other three subscales. The expected one-factorial solution confirming the LOTCA’s subscales homogeneity (unidimensionality) structure was found on five of six subscales. Variance explained by the subscales ranged from 39 to 82% and internal consistency reliability measured by Cronbach’s alpha ranged from .42 to .78.

Conclusions

Satisfactory construct validity and internal consistency reliability were demonstrated on two subscales applicable to Jordanian children without adaptation. With adequate cross-cultural adaptation, increasing internal consistency reliability in other subscales could make the LOTCA an effective tool for assessing cognitive abilities in this population.