Date of Award

12-1985

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. John Geisler

Second Advisor

Dr. Robert Betz

Third Advisor

Dr. Robert Brashear

Abstract

Increased developmentally community-based services for disabled (DD) adults require new assessment tools which serve individualized treatment planning and overall program evaluation needs. In 1982, the Client Progress Assessment (CPA) instrument was developed to meet these needs. The CPA provides for ratings of adaptive behavior on twelve general dimensions on incremented scales ranging from zero to 100. In this study the validity, consistency, utility, efficiency and economy of the CPA were evaluated.

Data were obtained from three studies conducted between 1982 and 1984. CPA ratings on 240 DD adults throughout Michigan were obtained from over 350 program staff members, clients' significant others, and case managers.

Concurrent validity was evaluated using the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) and the Global Assessment Scale/Developmentally Disabled (GASDD). Correlations between theoretically parallel subscales of the ABS and CPA ranged from .56 to .82. Correlation between the mean CPA summary score and score was .83, and .71 Behavior subscale and the ABS Part I {Adaptive) total between the CPA Maladaptive the ABS Part II {Maladaptive) total. Correlations between the CPA summary score and the GASDD ranged from .36 to .79. They were strongest for ratings made by persons in the same rater category. Evidence of face and content validity was provided through a review of the CPA's development procedures.

Inter-scale correlations ranged from .60 to .80 on all but two dimensions {Physical Development and Maladaptive Behavior). Intraclass correlations for pairs of program staff members yielded subscale inter-rater reliabilities ranging from .50 (Emotional Development) to .80 or greater (Communication Skills and Contributiveness), and .81 on the CPA summary score. Summary score correlations between program staff and significant others were .72 and .36 in the 1982 and 1984 studies, respectively. Summary score correlation between program staff and case managers was .50.

Program staff reported that the instrument was useful for individualized client assessment. Its sensitivity to client differences across setting characteristics demonstrated its usefulness for research and program evaluation.The CPA can be quickly administered and scored by staff without extensive training.

The CPA's characteristics warrant its use for general client assessment and program planning, for individual and group progress monitoring, and for research and program evaluation. Further investigations of inter-rater and test-retest reliability were recommended.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Campus Only

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