%0 Journal Article
%T Reliability and Validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood
%A Minoru Kobayashi
%A Taichi Gushiken
%A Yurika Ganaha
%A Yosiaki Sasazawa
%A Shotaro Iwata
%A Akiko Takemura
%A Tsutomu Fujita
%A Yonathan Asikin
%A Minoru Takakura
%J Education Sciences
%D 2013
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/educsci3020121
%X This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood, an instrument designed to measure a concept similar to ¡°zest for living¡± in late childhood. A total of 1,888 elementary school students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades residing in urban and suburban areas as well as in remote islands of 3 prefectures (Okinawa, Kagoshima, and Nagasaki) were surveyed. On the basis of our analysis, 24 items and seven factors were extracted. These factors are problem-solving/synthesis, relationship with friends, personal manners, decision-making and future planning, self-learning, collecting and using information, and leadership. Cronbach¡¯s alpha reliability coefficients were computed for each subscale and ranged from 0.71 to 0.87. Test-retest reliability coefficient values ranged from 0.68 to 0.79. To examine the construct validity of the scales, a goodness-of-fit model was determined by confirmatory factor analysis, and satisfactory values were found (GFI = 0.952, AGFI = 0.937, CFI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.016). The validity of the goodness-of-fit model and the reliability of the scales indicate that the Multidimensional Scale of Life Skills in Late Childhood is an effective assessment tool.
%K life skills
%K ¡°zest for living¡±
%K multidimensional scale
%K late childhood
%U http://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/3/2/121