The Spanish version of the Self-Determination Inventory Student Report: application of item response theory to self-determination measurement

Abstract

Background: A new measure of self-determination, the Self-Determination Inventory: Student Report (Spanish version), has recently been adapted and empirically validated in Spanish language. As it is the first instrument intended to measure self-determination in youth with and without disabilities, there is a need to further explore and strengthen its psychometric analysis based on item response patterns.

Method: Through item response theory approach, this study examined item observed distributions across the essential characteristics of self-determination.

Results: The results demonstrated satisfactory to excellent item functioning patterns across characteristics, particularly within agentic action domains. Increased variability across items was also found within action-control beliefs dimensions, specifically within the self-realisation subdomain.

Conclusions: These findings further support the instrument's psychometric properties and outline future research directions.

Keywords: adolescents with and without disabilities; assessment; item response theory; self-determination; self-determination inventory.