Open AccessValidation of the Abbreviated Socio-Political Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y) Among Urban Girls of Color
Author(s) -
Ijeoma Opara,
Elizabeth I. Rivera Rodas,
David T. Lardier,
Pauline GarciaReid,
Robert J. Reid
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
child and adolescent social work journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.613
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1573-2797
pISSN - 0738-0151
DOI - 10.1007/s10560-019-00624-9
Subject(s) - confirmatory factor analysis , psychology , scale (ratio) , structural equation modeling , empowerment , cluster (spacecraft) , ethnic group , latent class model , sample (material) , social psychology , sociology , statistics , geography , mathematics , computer science , cartography , political science , chemistry , chromatography , anthropology , law , programming language
This study tested and validated the factor structure of the abbreviated Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y) among a sample of urban girls of color. Participants include (N = 830) urban girls of color from a northeastern United States community. Confirmatory Factor analyses (CFA) were conducted using AMOS Structural Equation Modeling Software. Cluster groups were created using Latent Class Cluster Analysis (LCA) and tested using Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with conceptually related variables. CFA results supported the two-factor structure of the abbreviated SPCS-Y among the sample. Following the creation of cluster groups, MANCOVA analyses revealed significant heterogeneity among cluster groups of participants on neighborhood sense of community, social support, ethnic identity, and lower levels of drug use. Findings support the factor structure of the SPCS-Y and its use to measure empowerment among girls of color. Results contribute significantly to the field of social work and encourages the importance of promoting strengths-based approaches among girls of color. Implications for social work practice with girls of color are conveyed in light of the need for reliable measurement tools for practitioners.