https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/ Iranian Journal of Psycho-educational Assessment en daily 1 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0330 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0330 https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733148.html Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is among the most prevalent developmental disorders in children, significantly impacting their quality of life due to challenges in social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Quality-of-Life Scale for Children with Autism within the Iranian society. This study was an applied study conducted using factor analysis. Its statistical population included children aged 5 to 10 years with autism in Tehran who had referred to specialized autism centers in 2024. Among them, 300 children (177 girls and 123 boys) were selected using convenience sampling, and their parents completed the questionnaires in person or online. The research instrument was the Anxiety Scale for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Parent Version and the Quality-of-Life Scale for Children with Autism (QOLASD-C). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was .81 for the entire scale and the test-retest coefficient was .87 after a one-week interval, confirming the desirable validity of the scale. Also, the content validity was confirmed qualitatively and quantitatively by experts. For all items, the CVR index was more than .80 and the CVI index was more than .90. Convergent validity was negatively correlated with the Autism Children's Anxiety Scale -.29 and construct validity was examined and confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis. The results of factor analysis showed that the three-factor structure (emotional well-being, interpersonal communication, and self-determination) of the scale has a good fit with the data. Explanation of the findings indicates that this scale can be considered a valid tool for assessing the quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorder in Iranian society. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733211.html Smartphone addiction, as an emerging behavioral addiction, has garnered increasing attention in psychology and behavioral sciences. The widespread use of smartphones, alongside their numerous benefits, is associated with significant physical, psychological, and social consequences, affecting sleep quality, mental health, academic performance, and interpersonal relationships. The present study aimed to examine and confirm the psychometric properties of the short-form Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV) in the Iranian adult population. The study employed a descriptive–correlational design within the psychometric framework. The target population included citizens aged 18–45 in Zanjan in 2024, with 357 participants completing the online survey. Data collection instruments comprised the SAS-SV, Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and the Mobile Social Network Addiction Questionnaire. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest reliability was assessed over a one-week interval. Content validity was examined through expert evaluations, while convergent validity was assessed through correlations with related instruments. Construct validity was further tested using confirmatory factor analysis, and discriminant validity was examined through known-groups comparisons. Results indicated a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.89, confirming high reliability. CVI and CVR values for all items were at acceptable levels, and significant correlations with related scales supported convergent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good model fit, and known-groups comparison showed meaningful discrimination between groups with high and low social media usage. Findings indicate that the Persian version of the SAS-SV possesses satisfactory reliability and validity, making it a suitable instrument for assessing smartphone addiction in research and clinical applications within the Iranian population. These results facilitate future studies and evidence-based interventions. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733215.html Measurement bias poses a serious threat to test validity, and research has consistently shown that item parameters play a crucial role in generating such bias. The present study aimed to identify the optimal three-parameter method for detecting differential item functioning (DIF) while considering the effects of item parameters. Designed as an applied psychometric investigation, the study simulated data based on independent variables including test type (nonlinear regression, Lord’s three-parameter, and Raju’s three-parameter methods), ranges of parameters (low, medium, and high), and item characteristics. Simulation was conducted by manipulating 20% of items to exhibit DIF with an effect size of 0.5, producing 10 sets of data and a total of 90 datasets. For each dataset, three DIF detection tests were performed, resulting in 270 analyses overall. Findings revealed that the main effect of test type was statistically significant, with nonlinear regression outperforming Raju’s three-parameter method in terms of accuracy. Moreover, DIF detection was more effective when the difficulty parameter was at a medium level compared to low or high levels, while increases in the discrimination parameter consistently enhanced correct detection rates. In contrast, variations in the guessing parameter did not yield significant differences, as test performance remained stable across all levels of guessing. These results underscore the importance of focusing on difficulty and discrimination parameters in DIF detection and suggest that nonlinear regression can serve as a practical and efficient alternative to item response theory (IRT)-based methods, particularly in contexts where guessing effects are present. Overall, the study contributes to psychometric methodology by highlighting parameter-specific influences and offering evidence for the utility of nonlinear regression in improving DIF detection. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733216.html Child-to-parent violence has become an escalating concern within families and has attracted growing attention from psychologists; nonetheless, validated instruments for measuring this construct are scarce in Iran. The present study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a Child-to-parent violence Scale (CPVS) in an Iranian adolescent sample. Using a descriptive–correlational design with a psychometric emphasis, the study sampled 424 secondary school students from Hamadan, including 234 boys and 190 girls; 205 participants completed the questionnaire with reference to their mother and 219 with reference to their father. Reliability was examined via test–retest and Cronbach’s alpha, producing alpha coefficients of 0.85 for the psychological abuse subscale, 0.74 for the physical abuse subscale, and 0.85 for the total scale, indicative of satisfactory internal consistency. To increase the precision of reliability estimates, McDonald’s omega was also calculated, yielding omega values of 0.85 for psychological abuse, 0.72 for physical abuse, and 0.83 for the overall instrument. Content validity was supported through qualitative expert review and quantitative indices: all items exceeded a CVR threshold of 0.80 and a CVI threshold of 0.90. Construct validity was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), in which eight goodness-of-fit indices fell within acceptable ranges, confirming the proposed factor structure. Measurement invariance testing demonstrated that the measurement model was stable and equivalent across child gender groups (boys versus girls) and across reports concerning each parent, suggesting comparable functioning across subgroups. Overall, results indicate that the questionnaire possesses acceptable psychometric properties and may be employed in research, screening, and intervention planning for parental abuse among Iranian adolescents and public policy development nationwide. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733217.html The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Scale for Social Media- Induced Depression (SMID) in an Iranian sample, given rising rates of depression among adolescents and young adults alongside expanding social media engagement; using a descriptive correlational (psychometric) design, the SMID was administered to 550 participants aged 15–35 in Karaj (year 1404) recruited via convenience sampling, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with LISREL 10.2 to compare competing measurement models and test the proposed three-factor structure (sensitivity and attention seeking, self-devaluation, and avoidance of reality); the CFA supported the three-factor model with satisfactory fit indices (RMSEA = 0.04, GFI = 0.95, NFI = 0.93, CFI = 0.95, SRMR = 0.05) and significant standardized loadings for items on their respective factors, internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) for the subscales ranged from 0.70 to 0.74 indicating acceptable reliability, and known-groups validity was examined via independent-samples t-test comparing participants with <5 hours versus ≥5 hours of daily social media use, those with ≥5 hours scored significantly higher on SMID (p < 0.05), providing convergent evidence for construct validity; limitations include the convenience sampling method, single-city data collection, reliance on self-report measures, and cross-sectional design, which restrict generalizability and preclude causal inference; nonetheless, findings suggest that the SMID is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing tendencies toward social media–related depressive symptoms in Iranian adolescents and young adults and may be useful for screening and evaluating intervention outcomes, while future research should address test–retest reliability, examine convergent and predictive validity with clinical measures, and replicate the validation in larger, more diverse and clinical samples to further establish the scale’s robustness and cross-cultural applicability. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733222.html Among children referred to child psychotherapy centers, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is considered one of the most common behavioral disorders. Within the framework of developmental psychopathology, ODD and its underlying factors can serve as precursors and predictors of more severe psychological disorders during adolescence and adulthood. Early identification and the application of appropriate therapeutic approaches are critical for reducing current symptoms and preventing long-term complications. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Mother–Child Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) in alleviating ODD symptoms in children aged 5 to 7 years in Zanjan City in 2020. This research employed a single-case study design, and data analysis was conducted using graphical representation, effect size calculation, and improvement percentage indices. From the population of children exhibiting ODD symptoms, four participants were selected through purposive sampling. Pre-intervention and post-intervention evaluations were performed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) along with structured clinical interviews. The results indicated that Mother–Child MBT led to noticeable symptom reduction for all four participants, with improvement rates of 53% for Participant 1, 67% for Participant 2, 73% for Participant 3, and 53% for Participant 4. Importantly, these therapeutic effects were largely maintained throughout the follow-up period, highlighting the stability of treatment outcomes. Additionally, favorable effect sizes were observed in all cases, suggesting robust clinical impact of the intervention. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Mother–Child Mentalization-Based Therapy is an effective approach for reducing symptoms of ODD in young children, offering the dual benefit of improving current functioning while preventing future psychological difficulties, and thereby contributing significantly to the promotion of children’s long-term mental health and well-being. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733223.html Beliefs regarding the controllability and usefulness of positive and negative emotions are fundamental factors influencing emotion regulation and mental health. Given the scarcity of assessment tools in this domain, the present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Emotional Beliefs Questionnaire and examine the relationship between these beliefs, emotion regulation, and symptoms of affective disorders. This study was conducted on 388 young adults aged 18 to 35 in Zanjan. To evaluate the technical properties of the instrument, qualitative and quantitative content validity indices, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Pearson correlation for convergent validity were employed, alongside Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability assessments. Results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that this questionnaire possesses a four-factor structure comprising negative controllability, positive controllability, negative usefulness, and positive usefulness. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for positive control 0.74, negative control 0.79, positive usefulness 0.73, and negative usefulness 0.71 indicated desirable internal consistency. Furthermore, a one-week test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.71 confirmed the scale’s temporal stability. Content validity indices for all items were reported above 0.80. In terms of convergent validity, significant correlations were observed between emotional beliefs and depression 0.17, anxiety 0.22, and stress 0.15. The Emotional Beliefs Questionnaire demonstrates strong psychometric properties within the Iranian population. Despite limitations in generalizability due to specific sample characteristics, this instrument can serve as a valid scale in clinical research and the design of therapeutic interventions to assess emotional beliefs and promote community mental health. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733225.html Disinterest in school, as a key psychological construct, is associated with reduced academic motivation, decreased school attendance, and weakened academic engagement, which may lead to consequences such as academic underperformance and school dropout. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate the Disinterest in School Scale among secondary school students in Ardakan during the 2024–2025 academic year. This research was applied in purpose and employed a correlational-psychometric design. The statistical population consisted of secondary school students in Ardakan, from which 324 participants were selected using cluster sampling. The research instruments included the researcher-developed Disinterest in School Scale, the School Burnout Inventory (Salmela-Aro & Näätänen, 2005), and the Academic Engagement Questionnaire (Fredricks et al., 2004). Data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) sampling adequacy test, Bartlett’s test of sphericity, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and Pearson correlation coefficient, with SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. Results from exploratory factor analysis indicated that the scale comprises three factors: negative teacher interaction, structural disorganization, and academic meaninglessness, collectively explaining 68.22% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed adequate model fit (RMSEA=.074; CFI=.954; GFI=.925). Convergent validity was established through a positive correlation with school-related burnout (r=.543), and divergent validity through a negative correlation with academic engagement (r=−.569). Additionally, the overall reliability of the scale, as measured by Cronbach’s alpha (α=.93), demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Overall, the findings indicate that the Disinterest in School Scale possesses robust psychometric properties and can be utilized for identifying at-risk students, designing targeted educational and psychological interventions, and preventing academic underachievement and school dropout. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733229.html Purposefulness is a key factor in the healthy development of adolescents, but accurate tools for its measurement are limited, particularly in Iran. This study was conducted with the aim of developing a valid and reliable scale for measuring purposefulness in adolescents in Zanjan City. The research method was applied in terms of objective and descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection approach, with an emphasis on Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The psychometric properties of the instrument were evaluated, including its reliability and validity. The descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 390 middle and high school students in Zanjan (mean age: 16.08 years), using a convenience sampling method. The results indicated that the scale possesses acceptable reliability: the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.75, ranging from 0.70 to 0.77 for the subscales, and the test-retest correlation coefficient after one week was 0.88. The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) demonstrated that purposefulness, as a higher-order construct, can be examined through four factors, including Goal Attainment, Self Enhancement, Career Orientation, and Relationship Orientation. This structure was confirmed by the CFA, and it was also determined that purposefulness is closely related to psychological well-being and meaning in life. The Purpose In Life Scale for Adolescents is a valid and reliable instrument that can help identify and strengthen the life trajectory during the sensitive period of adolescence. This instrument is applicable not only in research related to purposefulness but also in designing effective interventions to promote adolescents' psychological well-being. Given its favorable psychometric properties, this scale provides a suitable platform for future research in developmental psychology and educational interventions. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733230.html The present study examined the factorial invariance and psychometric properties of the Snijders–Oomen Nonverbal Intelligence Test (SON-R 2.5-7) among boys and girls aged 2.5 to 7 years. Establishing equivalence across demographic groups, particularly gender, is essential for valid interpretation and comparison of test scores. The target population included all children aged 2.5 to 7 years residing in Tehran in 2005, and the final sample consisted of 1,126 children (615 boys and 511 girls), selected through multistage random sampling from kindergartens affiliated with the Tehran Welfare Organization and the Ministry of Education. Data were analyzed using R statistical software with advanced psychometric and multivariate techniques. Exploratory factor analysis was first conducted to identify the underlying structure of the test, and findings supported a two-factor model representing performance and reasoning abilities. This structure was then evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis, which showed acceptable goodness-of-fit indices and confirmed the adequacy of the proposed model. To determine whether the measurement model functioned equivalently across gender groups, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) was used. Measurement invariance was assessed at successive levels, including configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance. The results demonstrated that the SON-R 2.5-7 met the required criteria for invariance between boys and girls, indicating that the test operates similarly across gender. Because measurement invariance is a central source of evidence for construct validity, these findings provide strong support for the construct validity of the instrument. Overall, the SON-R 2.5-7 can be considered a valid, reliable, and gender-unbiased tool for assessing and comparing nonverbal intelligence in children aged 2.5 to 7 years in both research and clinical settings. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733231.html The Assessing adolescents’ psychological capital is a key step in designing preventive programs and promoting psychological well-being. Due to the lack of a culturally adapted instrument, this study aimed to develop and validate a tool to measure the psychological capital of Iranian adolescents based on the Covitality model (Furlong et al., 2014). This descriptive-survey research was conducted in two phases: instrument development and standardization. Initially, 408 items were generated, reduced to 180 after expert review, and a 120-item preliminary version was tested on 403 adolescents aged 12–18 in Tehran. Criterion validity was assessed using scales for emotion regulation (Garnefski & Kraaij, 2007), peer rejection (Tahmasian, 2005), self-efficacy (Muris, 2001), gratitude (McCullough et al., 2002), and empathy (Vossen et al., 2015). Data analysis using SPSS v.24 revealed four distinct blocks: Belief in Self (self-efficacy, self-awareness, and persistence), Belief in Others (support from school, peers, and family), Emotional Competence (emotion regulation, empathy, and self-control), and Engaged Living (gratitude, zest, and optimism). Internal consistency for factors and blocks ranged from 0.22 to 0.93, with correlations between blocks and the total scale ranging from 0.58 to 0.87. The total scale demonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.93, and criterion validity coefficients ranging from 0.25 to 0.55. The Adolescent Psychological Capital Scale demonstrated robust psychometric properties, confirming its validity and reliability for use in the Iranian adolescent population. This scale is suitable for educational, developmental, and research purposes, offering valuable insights into adolescents’ psychological capital and well-being. It can serve as a foundation for interventions aimed at fostering resilience and positive development among youth. https://ijpa.znu.ac.ir/article_733232.html The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Growth Mindset Scale, including its reliability, validity, and factor structure. The population of this study included all students aged 15 to 30 in Zanjan in the academic year 2024-2025. Given the uncertainty of the exact population size, the sample size was estimated to be 384 people using the Cochran formula for uncertain populations with an error level of 0.05. Considering the possibility of some participants not responding, questionnaires were distributed among 420 people in the target group. data from 372 people were included in the final analysis. The multidimensional student enthusiasm Scale (SES) was used to calculate the convergent validity. The construct validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha method and test-retest and data analysis were performed with SPSS-27, Lisrel-10.2, and JASP software. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a growth mindset factor, similar to the original form. The model fit indices were generally reported to be favorable. Also, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.82. In addition, the test-retest coefficient was 0.87 with a two-week interval for the entire questionnaire. Also, the correlation coefficients (0.33) were significant at an error level of less than 0.01, indicating the desirable convergent validity of the scale. Content validity was also calculated with CVR and CVI indices of more than 0.8 and 0.9. Overall, the findings indicate that the Growth Mindset scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing students’ growth mindset, providing a robust instrument for learning.