Abstract
This study comprises two sub-studies. Study I assessed the test-retest reliability of Family Affluence Scale (FAS II) items
among 95 students aged 11 and 15 years old in Beijing. Study II investigated the completion rate of traditional indicators
(parents’ educational level, perceived family wealth, resident area, and school location) measuring socioeconomic status (SES)
compared with FAS II, and examined the internal reliability, external and construct validity of the FAS II items in a population
of 5876 schoolchildren aged 11, 13 and 15 years old in Beijing. Our study found that the FAS II items have high completion
rates (> 99%) which are better than other SES indicators. Analyses of reliability showed a moderate internal reliability (Cronbach’s
alpha = 0.58) and at least substantial test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.75). Moderate external validity of FAS II was found
by Spearman rank correlation between FAS II and other SES indicators (parental education level and perceived family wealth)
(r
s
= 0.48–0.51, p < 0.001) and ordinal regressions. Graphical log-linear Rasch model (GLLRM) showed that FAS has adequate construct validity
(few LD and weak DIF). In conclusion, the FAS II is a reliable and valid SES measure for adolescents in the Beijing area.
among 95 students aged 11 and 15 years old in Beijing. Study II investigated the completion rate of traditional indicators
(parents’ educational level, perceived family wealth, resident area, and school location) measuring socioeconomic status (SES)
compared with FAS II, and examined the internal reliability, external and construct validity of the FAS II items in a population
of 5876 schoolchildren aged 11, 13 and 15 years old in Beijing. Our study found that the FAS II items have high completion
rates (> 99%) which are better than other SES indicators. Analyses of reliability showed a moderate internal reliability (Cronbach’s
alpha = 0.58) and at least substantial test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.75). Moderate external validity of FAS II was found
by Spearman rank correlation between FAS II and other SES indicators (parental education level and perceived family wealth)
(r
s
= 0.48–0.51, p < 0.001) and ordinal regressions. Graphical log-linear Rasch model (GLLRM) showed that FAS has adequate construct validity
(few LD and weak DIF). In conclusion, the FAS II is a reliable and valid SES measure for adolescents in the Beijing area.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s12187-011-9131-5
- Authors
- Yang Liu, Research Centre for Health Promotion, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O.Box 35 (Viveca), Jyväskylä, 40014 Finland
- Mei Wang, Mass Research Centre, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, China
- Jari Villberg, Research Centre for Health Promotion, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O.Box 35 (Viveca), Jyväskylä, 40014 Finland
- Torbjørn Torsheim, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Jorma Tynjälä, Research Centre for Health Promotion, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O.Box 35 (Viveca), Jyväskylä, 40014 Finland
- Yan Lv, Zhejiang Institute of Sports Science, Hangzhou, China
- Lasse Kannas, Research Centre for Health Promotion, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, P.O.Box 35 (Viveca), Jyväskylä, 40014 Finland
- Journal Child Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1874-8988
- Print ISSN 1874-897X