Psychometric properties of the self-perception profile for children in a biracial cohort of adolescent girls: The NHLBI growth and health study

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study (NGHS ) is an epidemiologic study of 1,213 Black and 1,166 White girls (ages 9-10 ) of risk factors for obesity. NGHS used Harter's Self-Perception Profile f or Children (SPPC) to measure domain-specific competence and overall self-w orth. This report reviews the psychometric properties of the SPPC in this b iracial cohort at baseline and Year 3 visits (ages 11-12). Simple structure yielding unique components for each of the SPPC domains was obtained for W hite but not Black girls, whether analyzed overall or by parental education level. Internal consistency was higher for White girls in both years. The lack of simple structure was reflected in the higher correlations among the subscales for Black girls. The structure and internal consistency improved in Year 3 for Black girls, indicating that the physical appearance and ath letic competence domains were not yet fully differentiated at baseline. Rea ders should be cautious, however, when interpreting the SPPC in young Black girls.