Children in Residential Care: Development and Validation of a Group Climate Instrument. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strijbosch, E. L. L.; Helm, G. H. P. van der; Brandenburg, M. E. T. van; Mecking, M.; Wissink, I. B.; Stams, G. J. J. M.
• Is Part Of: Research on social work practice. Volume 24:Number 4(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 462
• Page End: 469
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: instrument development -- validity study -- group work -- child welfare -- children -- adolescents; Social service -- Periodicals; 361.3205
• DOI: 10.1177/1049731513510045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-7315

Abstract

Purpose: This study describes the development and validation of the Group Climate Instrument for Children aged 8 to 15 years (GCIC 8-15), which purports to measure the quality of group climate in residential care. Methods: A confirmatory factor analysis was performed on data of 117 children in Dutch residential youth care. Reliability analysis was performed and concurrent validity was tested. Results: An adequate fit of a two-factor model indicated construct validity of the GCIC 8-15. Reliability coefficients were good, and a significant correlation between perceived group climate and treatment motivation supported concurrent validity. Discussion: The GCIC 8-15 can be used to identify positive and negative aspects of group climate in residential youth care and enables further group climate research with children.