Factor Structure of the Preschool Personality Questionnaire in Iran

Abstract

This study is of Triandis's pseudoetic variety, not a cross-cultural study per se. The Preschool Personality Questionnaire which was standardized in the USA and partially standardized in Colombia was administered to 600 preschool children in Iran. Data from the entire sample were analyzed by both principal components, maximum likelihood, and alpha factor analyses. 14 factors were derived. Odd and even records were likewise factored. Six of the first seven factors were found and matched from odd to even cases. At least five of the total sample factors were judged by inspection to match similar dimensions in the USA. Factor scores for children in the standardizing sample were created by postmultiplying the raw score matrix by the 14-factor “reduced” factor structure matrix. These raw factor scores were then converted to STEN scores. Utilizing the entire sample factor structure matrix, factor scores and sten scores were derived for each of the 4-, 5-, and 6-yr.-old groups. By use of the norms based on this sample of Iranian children, further experiments can be carried out to investigate development of preschool children and other variables in Iran similar to those studied in the West.