Validating the Essen Climate Evaluation Schema modified for people with learning disabilities in a low-risk secure forensic setting

Psychometric analysis of the Group Climate Inventory-Revised in adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a secure residential facility

BACKGROUND

In secure residential facilities, group climate perceptions of clients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning are systematically assessed for quality improvement. A valid and reliable measure may ensure that this process is consistent. The Group Climate Inventory-Revised (GCI-R) is a new measure to assess group climate perceptions.

METHOD

Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in 148 adult clients (79% male) with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a secure facility to examine internal structure validity and internal consistency reliability of the GCI-R.

RESULTS

The results indicate support for the five-factor structure of the GCI-R ('Support', 'Growth', 'Repression', 'Peer interactions', and 'Physical environment'). The internal consistency reliability of its scales ranged from acceptable to good (α: .72-.87; ω: .76-.86).

CONCLUSION

The GCI-R demonstrates evidence of psychometric adequacy when applied to adult clients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in secure residential facilities.