Psychometric properties of Arabic translated temperament instrument.

BACKGROUND

Investigating temperament has been a multi-subject exercise that attempts to determine the contribution of temperament to additional measurable phenomena like behavior. The existing research not only evaluates temperament as a variable with the ability to influence additional characteristics but has included interventions that can result in adapted outcomes. Develop an Arabic translation of the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ).

PURPOSE

Examine the psychometric properties of the translation and establish modified criteria for evaluating the questionnaire.

METHODS

Cross sectional design was used. Translation of the ICQ was achieved through translation/back translation. The population that used the ICQ translation on convenience sample of 40 Arabic-speaking women with children between the ages of 3-12-months old; this same group also completed a demographic survey.

RESULTS

The internal consistency of the translated instrument was almost equivalent to or higher than the reported from the United States (US) review. The alpha coefficients calculated from subscales varied between .47 and .87.

CONCLUSION

This research study described the translation of the ICQ into the Arabic language for use in the research and clinical setting. The ICQ is a useful tool for evaluating infant difficulty by describing and summarizing parents' ratings.