Reliability and validity studies of the Turkish version of Humor Styles Questionnaire for Children

Abstract

This article presents the investigation of the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Humor Styles Questionnaire for Children (CHSQ Turkish). Four studies were assessed using a sample of Turkish secondary school students in two different schools located in Istanbul and a total of 717 students participated in these four studies. Factor analyses and internal consistency (study 1), test-retest reliability (study 2), concurrent validity (study 3), convergent and discriminant validity (study 4) were investigated in this research. In study 1, the results of the confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis indicated that the four-factor structure (aggressive, affiliative, self-enhancing, self-defeating) of a modified 17-item version was confirmed. In addition, corrected item-total correlations (.50–.70) and internal consistency values of the four factors were acceptable (.82,.83,.80,.73, respectively). Test-retest reliabilities during a 4-week period (.69,.82,.74,.72, respectively) were adequate in study 2. In study 3, concurrent validity of the scale was supported with reference to depression and anxiety. In study 4, convergent and discriminant validity of the CHSQ Turkish were confirmed by assessing AVE, square root of AVE and correlations between four factors. Additionally, the correlations of the four factors of the scale with sensation seeking and loneliness were additional evidence for convergent validity. The CHSQ Turkish was assessed to be a valid and reliable measure.