Construct and criterion validity of adjustment scale for adults using the correlation and Receiver-Operating Characteristics Analysis

Objective: To explore the construct and criterion validity of adjustment scale for adults using correlation and Receiver-Operating Characteristics analysis. Methodology: This cross sectional survey was conducted at Department of Psychology, University of Gujrat from July 10th to 05th August 2017. The data was collected from the adults of Gujrat city by using convenient sampling technique. We used adjustment scale for adults, screening scale for adjustment disorders: Short form and Coping Styles Scale from 93 adults using face to face interviews and selfadministered questionnaire. The data were analyzed with correlation, reliability testand Receiver-Operating Characteristic analysis (ROC). Results: The results established construct validity with convergent (.626**) and discriminate validity (no relationship among variables). The scale also demonstrated high reliability value. While in the criterion related validity the ROC area under the curve value was .845 (p = 0.00). So, it confirmed that the scale has the ability to discriminate between adjusted and non-adjusted cases. The optimal cut-off point of scale was 71 at the sensitivity of 79.45% and the specificity of 75% with 92.06% Positive Predicted Value (PPV) and 50% Negative Predicted Value (NPV). Conclusion: The adjustment scale for adults is a valid scale for use with the cut-off point of 71.