Contribution to the validation of The Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System scale for the Portuguese population

Abstract

Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting (PEGS) is a scale which identifies children's perception of their efficacy in some daily activities (such as self-care, productivity and leisure) comparing it with their caregiver’s perception. Previously the contribution to the translation and PEGS's cultural adaptation scale (2nd edition) into Portuguese was initiated, with the aim to contribute to the validation of the PEGS for the Portuguese population. A sample of 93 children was tested (N=44; 47.3% male and N=49; 52.7% female), aged between 5 and 9 years. Right after the scale appliance, the data obtained were analyzed, and through the calculation of Cronbach's Alpha, it was possible to verify that the totality of the items of the caregiver's and the educator's inquiry reveal a strong consistency (value ≥ 0.9) and child's form, a good reliability (value ≥ 0.7). During the application of the scale, it was observed that its extension may influence on younger children's attention as well as the complexity of the language used. However, the pictographic system has promoted and motivated the children’s engagement during PEGS's application. The researchers propose that the scale validation continues, specially through all the collected data in different regions of the country, since in the practice of occupational therapy there is a need for greater investment in assessment scales validated for the Portuguese population.