Comparability and reliability of paper- and computer-based measures of psychosocial constructs for adolescent fruit and vegetable and dietary fat intake.

摘要

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the comparability and reliability of computer- and paper-based measures of psychosocial constructs related to fruit and vegetable and dietary fat intake among adolescents. METHODS: An ethnically diverse sample of 76 adolescents was studied (mean age 13 years). Scales measured use of change strategies, self-efficacy, decisional balance, family influences, and peer influences separately for the two dietary outcomes. RESULTS: Comparability analyses indicated that responses for each of the 12 diet-related scales were not significantly different between the computer- and paper-based surveys. Internal consistencies were generally high (alpha from .61 to .97) with slightly better reliability on the computer- vs paper-based surveys. Test-retest reliabilities were adequate to good for most multiple-item scales (interclass correlation coefficients from .43 to .85 and .48 to .90 for paper and computer formats, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Computer- and paper-based measures of psychosocial constructs are appropriate and ready for use in either format for studies of dietary behaviors in young people.