Abstract

IPINA, María Julia; MOLINA, Leonardo  and  REYNA, Cecilia. Psychometric properties of the MESSY Scale (self-assessment) in Argentinean children. Revista de Psicología [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.2, pp.245-264. ISSN 0254-9247.

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (Matson, Rotatori & Helsel, 1983), which assesses specific social skills involved in adaptive and non-adaptive behaviors. The factor structure and internal consistency were studied in a sample of children from Cordoba (n = 578) of 7 to 13 years old (M = 9.48, SD = 1.47) of both sexes (52.77% males). An exploratory study of data and variables was conducted; then the factor structure was studied. Results suggest that the structure of five factors was the simplest and theoretically most consistent: Aggressiveness/Antisocial Behavior, Appropriate Social Skills, Friendship, Overconfidence/Jealousy/Pride and Loneliness/ Social Anxiety. The internal consistent coefficients were good or acceptable in most dimensions. Gender differences observed in the dimensions and total score provide evidence of the validity of the instrument.

Keywords : Social skills; psychometric; children.

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