A1 Journal article (refereed)
Developing and validating an abbreviated adult reading history questionnaire in the Finnish and Dutch contexts (2024)


Khanolainen, D., Verwimp, C., Tijms, J., Tolvanen, A., Salminen, J., & Torppa, M. (2024). Developing and validating an abbreviated adult reading history questionnaire in the Finnish and Dutch contexts. Journal of Research in Reading, 47(2), 132-144. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9817.12445


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Khanolainen, Daria; Verwimp, Cara; Tijms, Jurgen; Tolvanen, Asko; Salminen, Jenni; Torppa, Minna

Journal or series: Journal of Research in Reading

ISSN: 0141-0423

eISSN: 1467-9817

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 17/01/2024

Volume: 47

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 132-144

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9817.12445

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93046

Additional information: Brief Report


Abstract

Background
The adult reading history questionnaire (ARHQ) is frequently used in research on adult dyslexia and family risk for dyslexia. However, this measure is lengthy (23 items), reducing its applicability in studies with extensive assessment batteries.

Methods
We identified the best-performing ARHQ items in a sample of 396 Finnish adults using exploratory factor analysis and item response theory. Consequently, we validated the brief questionnaire in independent Finnish and Dutch samples by comparing its performance with that of the complete questionnaire. We also evaluated how the scores on the questionnaires related to the scores on direct adult reading assessments in the Finnish samples. Finally, we tested how predictive parental questionnaires were of children's skills in the Dutch and one of the Finnish samples.

Results
Five items were selected to construct the short version of ARHQ. All of them relate to childhood/adolescent reading difficulties rather than current adult skills. The scores of the complete ARHQ significantly correlated with those of the abbreviated version in all samples. Moreover, in one of the samples, direct reading assessment scores had a stronger correlation with the short ARHQ than with the full version. Additionally, across all three samples parental scores on the short ARHQ were at least as predictive of children's reading skills as the complete ARHQ.

Conclusions
The short ARHQ proved to be on a par with the complete version in its usefulness for identifying adults with dyslexia. Future research should investigate whether the five selected items can effectively serve as a brief screening measure for adults with dyslexia in languages other than Finnish and Dutch.


Keywords: literacy; reading disorders; dyslexia; adults; questionnaire survey; validation

Free keywords: adult literacy; assessment; dyslexia; adult reading history questionnaire


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2


Last updated on 2024-03-07 at 20:46