Measurement invariance of the group climate inventory across adults with and without mild intellectual disability in secure residential facilities

BACKGROUND

The Group Climate Inventory (GCI) was tested for measurement invariance across 332 adults with and 225 adults without mild intellectual disabilities in Dutch forensic treatment, and for latent mean differences on its Support, Growth, Repression, and Atmosphere subscales.

METHOD

Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the configural, threshold, and loading and threshold invariance of the GCI across both groups, and to compare group latent means on each subscale.

RESULTS

Measurement invariance was found across groups. Latent mean group comparisons showed small but significant differences reflected in lower scores on Support and Atmosphere in the group with mild intellectual disabilities.

CONCLUSION

The GCI allows meaningful comparisons between clients with and without mild intellectual disabilities in secure facilities. Results from the between-group comparisons suggest that consideration should be given as to whether, and why, the support and atmosphere perceptions of clients with mild intellectual disabilities might be less good.

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.

Relationships between dynamic risk factors for externalising problem behaviour and group climate in adults with mild intellectual disability in forensic treatment

BACKGROUND

Relationships between dynamic risk factors for externalising problem behaviour and group climate were investigated in 151 adult in-patients with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning in a Dutch secure residential facility.

METHOD

Regression analysis was used to predict total group climate score and Support, Growth, Repression, and Atmosphere subscales of the 'Group Climate Inventory'. Predictor variables were Coping Skills, Attitude towards current treatment, Hostility, and Criminogenic attitudes subscales of the 'Dynamic Risk Outcome Scales'.

RESULTS

Less hostility predicted a better overall group climate, better support and atmosphere, and less repression. A positive attitude towards current treatment predicted better growth.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate relationships of hostility and attitude towards current treatment with group climate. A focus on both dynamic risk factors and group climate may provide a basis for improving treatment for this target group.