Validating the Street Survival Skills Questionnaire

Abstract

The utility of the Street Survival Skills Questionnaire was investigated using a sample of 18 trainable mentally retarded males attending public schools. Pearson product-moment correlations were computed among the total scores, four standard scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale—Survey Form, and three Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised IQs. The Street Skills scores correlated significantly with Vineland Daily Living scores and WISC—R Full Scale and Performance IQs; however, nonsignificant relationships were obtained with WISC—R Verbal IQs, Vineland Composite scores, Communication Domain scores, and Socialization Domain scores. The use of the questionnaire in assessment of adaptive behavior was supported but within a narrow scope, i.e., daily or functional living knowledge.