Doctoral Degrees (Psychology)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Psychology) by Subject "Adaptibility (Psychology)"

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    Use of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale in the assessment of intellectually disabled complainants in sexual abuse cases in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12) Douglas, Gillian Kathleen; Swartz, Leslie; Pretorius, Chrisma; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Drawing on a sample of 642 complainants who were people with intellectual disability who had been sexually abused, the assessment records, psycho-legal reports and clinical comments of the psychologists involved in their assessment were the data used to assess the usefulness of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales in a South African context. The sample group were racially diverse and represented three of the languages commonly used in the area and participants were predominantly from a low socioeconomic background. A selected portion of the sample, (n=321) using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Second edition (VABS II), was more closely examined. When measured against the range of disability measured by IQ score and the clinical diagnosis of the psychologist, the VABS II was found to be a useful and valid instrument for use in people up until the age of 22. Substantial floor effects for adults over the age of 22 (n=96) were found. Using the rationale of adults, including those with intellectual disability, reaching asymptote by age 22, recommendation was made for the younger adult norm tables to be used, where the floor effect was not pronounced. This was found to be a clinically effective solution. On examination of the newly published third edition, the same difficulty was found. Clinical item analysis identified the useful items and the items needing adjustment for reasons categorised as linguistic, contextual or lacking opportunity in this context. The relevance of valid assessment of adaptive functioning, in a psycho-legal context, was illustrated by case examples.