https://doi.org/10.4087/NGNW9101">
 

Papers from the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology Conferences

Publication Date

2011

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the adaptations made to the Infant-Toddler version of the Home Observation Measure of the Environment for use in a low income Kenyan population. A total of 425 (214 girls) children aged 6-35 months were involved in this cross-sectional study. Focus groups and in-depth individual interviews were used to generate culturally appropriate modifications. Translations and back translations of the HOME were carried out using a Panel Approach. A significant number of items from the original HOME (N = 26) showed limited variability and were excluded from the final schedule. Two more items were excluded because of negative item total correlations and ambiguity in scoring. The remaining 17 items had a modest internal consistency (α = .63). We failed to replicate the factor structure of the published measure. The measure did, however, demonstrate a theoretically meaningful relationship with antecedent (maternal education) and child outcome variables (psychomotor development) providing partial evidence for convergent validity. These findings support the idea of a universality of core features of environmental stimulation. However, they also illustrate the need for more in-depth studies of the home environment to identify culture-specific sources of variability between households.

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