Psychometric properties of the Group Climate Instrument (GCI) in individuals with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning

• Published in: Journal of intellectual disability research Vol. 63; no. 3; pp. 215 - 224
• Main Authors: Neimeijer, E. G., Roest, J. J., Helm, G. H. P., Didden, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: borderline intellectual functioning; Confirmatory factor analysis; Construct validity; Convergent validity; Correlation; Factor Analysis; Group Climate Instrument; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Intellectual functioning; Learning disabilities; living group climate; Men; Mild Intellectual Disability; Original Manuscripts; Psychometrics; Quantitative psychology; Reliability; Validation studies; Validity; Variability; mild intellectual disability; borderline intellectual functioning; Group Climate Instrument; living group climate
• ISSN: 0964-2633; 1365-2788
• DOI: 10.1111/jir.12567

Background This study examined the psychometric properties of the Group Climate Instrument (GCI) in a sample of N = 189 adults (79% men) with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning who were residents of a treatment facility in the Netherlands. Method Construct validity of the GCI was examined by means of confirmatory factor analysis. Also, reliability and convergent validity of the GCI were examined. We also examined the variability in perception of the living group climate between and within living groups by computing intraclass correlation coefficients. Results The model contained four first‐order factors (support, growth, group atmosphere and repression) and a second‐order factor overall climate, providing preliminary support for construct validity of the GCI. Reliability coefficients were good for all factors. Preliminary evidence for convergent validity was found in significant moderate associations between subscales and single item ratings for the factors of group climate. The intraclass correlation coefficients indicated that a considerate proportion of variance can be attributed to between‐group differences. Conclusions The GCI might be used to assess perception of the living group climate for individuals with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in psychiatric and forensic care settings, although further development of the GCI and replication of our findings seem necessary.