Construct validity of the UFS in-hand manipulation assessment instrument in three- to four-year-old children

Abstract

Introduction: The university of the Free State (UFS) In-Hand Manipulation Assessment Instrument (UFS IHMAI) is a newly developed play-based IHM instrument assessing all components of IHM. With the face and content validity completed, this study aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the UFS IHMAI for 3- and 4-year-old children in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Methods: Employing a quantitative methodological design, the study included typically developing 3- to 4-year-old children ( n = 220) from 19 Early Childhood Development centres, selected through a two-stage sampling approach. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), simplified by principal component analysis and varimax rotation, with descriptive statistics, was performed. Results: The UFS IHMAI demonstrated strong construct validity, supported by statistically significant Chi-square results, favourable model fit as indicated by the standardised root mean square residual, and high internal consistency reliability reflected by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The five-factor solution derived from the EFA grouped subtasks in patterns matching the developmental stages of IHM skills. The descriptive data on the children’s performance across the 12 distinct components of translation, shift, and rotation contextualise age-specific mastery of these movements in play-based tasks. Conclusion: The findings confirmed the construct validity of the UFS IHMAI for children aged 3–4 years.