A questionnaire to measure direct support professionals' attitude towards healthy nutrition of people with intellectual disabilities.

Authors :: Overwijk A
Krijnen WP
Hilgenkamp TIM
van der Schans CP
van der Putten AAJ
Waninge A
Source :: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability [J Intellect Dev Disabil] 2023 Jun; Vol. 48 (2), pp. 138-145. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Oct 16.
Publication Year :: 2023
Abstract: Background: Direct support professionals' (DSPs') attitudes toward nutrition are important for supporting a healthy lifestyle of persons with intellectual disabilities. However, there are no instruments to measure it. The aim of this study was to compose a questionnaire and determine its internal validity.<br />Method: The previously validated Health Enhancing Physical Activity questionnaire was adapted into the Attitude of DSPs for Health Enhancing Nutrition (ADSP-HENU) and completed by 31 DSPs. The internal validity of the questionnaire was investigated by Cronbach's Alpha and an exploratory non-parametric item response analysis (NIRT).<br />Results: The internal consistency by Cronbach's Alpha was good (0.87, 95% CI [0.81-0.94]). NIRT showed monotonicity with wide confidence bounds and sufficient point polyserial correlations of the items. This indicates that each attributes to the overall measured attitude.<br />Conclusion: The internal validity of the ADSP-HENU is promising, and it can be used in daily practice for evaluation or adapting interventions to DSPs' needs.

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