A questionnaire to measure direct support professionals' attitude towards healthy nutrition of people with intellectual disabilities. Issue 2 (3rd April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Overwijk, A.; Krijnen, W. P.; Hilgenkamp, T. I. M.; van der Schans, C. P.; van der Putten, A. A. J.; Waninge, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability. Volume 48:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 138
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03
• Subjects: Attitude -- questionnaire -- direct support professionals -- nutrition -- intellectual disability; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; 362.1968
• DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2022.2106696
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-8250

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Direct support professionals' (DSPs') attitudes toward nutrition are important for supporting a healthy lifestyle of persons with intellectual disabilities. However, there are no instruments to measure it. The aim of this study was to compose a questionnaire and determine its internal validity. Method: The previously validated Health Enhancing Physical Activity questionnaire was adapted into the Attitude of DSPs for Health Enhancing Nutrition (ADSP-HENU) and completed by 31 DSPs. The internal validity of the questionnaire was investigated by Cronbach's Alpha and an exploratory non-parametric item response analysis (NIRT). Results: The internal consistency by Cronbach's Alpha was good (0.87, 95% CI [0.81–0.94]). NIRT showed monotonicity with wide confidence bounds and sufficient point polyserial correlations of the items. This indicates that each attributes to the overall measured attitude. Conclusion: The internal validity of the ADSP-HENU is promising, and it can be used in daily practice for evaluation or adapting interventions to DSPs' needs.