CONSTRUCT-VALIDITY OF DIMENSIONS OF ADAPTIVE-BEHAVIOR - A MULTITRAIT-MULTIMETHOD EVALUATION

The construct validity of four dimensions of adaptive and maladaptive behavior was investigated using the multitrait-multimethod matrix proc edure of Campbell and Fiske (1959). Measures of four traits-cognitive competence, social competence, social maladaption, and personal malada ption-were obtained on a sample of 157 persons with moderate, severe, or profound mental retardation using each of three methods of measurem ent-standardized assessment instrument, day shift staff ratings, and e vening shift staff ratings. Applying the Campbell and Fiske rules of t humb and recently proposed structural equation modeling techniques to the data demonstrated strong convergent validity, clear discriminant v alidity, and only moderate levels of method variance in the observed m easures. Implications of the results for the assessment of adaptive be havior and its dimensional structure were discussed.