Use of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale in the assessment of intellectually disabled complainants in sexual abuse cases in the Western Cape

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: Drawing on a sample of 642 complainants who were people with intellectual disability whohad been sexually abused, the assessment records, psycho-legal reports and clinicalcomments of the psychologists involved in their assessment were the data used to assess theusefulness of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales in a South African context. The samplegroup were racially diverse and represented three of the languages commonly used in the areaand participants were predominantly from a low socioeconomic background. A selectedportion of the sample, (n=321) using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Second edition(VABS II), was more closely examined. When measured against the range of disabilitymeasured by IQ score and the clinical diagnosis of the psychologist, the VABS II was foundto be a useful and valid instrument for use in people up until the age of 22. Substantial flooreffects for adults over the age of 22 (n=96) were found. Using the rationale of adults,including those with intellectual disability, reaching asymptote by age 22, recommendationwas made for the younger adult norm tables to be used, where the floor effect was notpronounced. This was found to be a clinically effective solution. On examination of thenewly published third edition, the same difficulty was found. Clinical item analysis identifiedthe useful items and the items needing adjustment for reasons categorised as linguistic,contextual or lacking opportunity in this context. The relevance of valid assessment ofadaptive functioning, in a psycho-legal context, was illustrated by case examples.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University