Awaritefe Psychological Index (form x) in Yoruba Language and the Psychometric Properties of the Version

Abstract

The need for indigenous tools in Mental Health Research and Clinical Psychological Practice cannot be over emphasized. Awaritefe Psychological Index (API) is one of the most popular indigenous Psychological tools in Africa, API has been found to have acceptable psychometric properties by several previous Authors. The cultural relevance and usefulness of the instrument for research and clinical practice have been demonstrated by several authors. API, though indigenous, requires translation to other local languages in Africa in order to overcome some language barriers. This study reported the translation effort of the author, in order to produce the Yoruba version of API. Experts in Yoruba studies were involved in the translation of the original English version to Yoruba, Other experts in both Yoruba and English languages assisted in the back translation of the version. 500 Yoruba indigenes residing in Akure and Ado-Ekiti responded to the final Yoruba version in order to determine some psychometric properties of the instrument. The norm for each of the sub-sections of API was established together with the norm for the entire instrument. The inter-sub-scale correlation co-efficient ranged from .18(P<.01) to .59 (<.01). The Cronbach Alpha was .67 (P<.001) and the Guttmann split half co efficient was .76, P<.001). These finding were discussed and appropriate recommendations were made.

Key words: Awaritefe Psychological Index, Yoruba version