Reliability and validity of Urdu version of Tromso Social Intelligence Scale for visually impaired adolescents

In Pakistan, there is a lack of linguistically validated methods for measuring social intelligence quotient (IQ), particularly for those with visual impairment. This study sought to determine the validity and reliability of the Urdu version of the Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS) for visually challenged teenagers. A total of 215 visually impaired (VI) adolescents (108 male, 107 female) studying in government schools for blind in Rawalpindi division participated in the study. The study was conducted in two phases: translation and validation of the scale. In the first stage, forward and backward Urdu translation by the researcher with the help of five bilingual (English and Urdu) language experts was carried out. Content and face validity were carried out through experts in second stage. Finally, after changing the items according to the suggestions and recommendation of experts, the final questionnaire was administered for the pilot testing on 10 VI adolescents. The final questionnaire consisting of 21 items on scale 1 ( describes me extremely poorly ) to 7 ( describes me extremely well ) was administered on main sample of the study. Findings showed that the coefficient of alpha reliability for the TSIS was .93. Further test–retest, split-half, and inter-rater reliability were also proved to be appropriate and acceptable, making the Urdu version of the Tromso Social IQ Test a reliable tool to use in Pakistan. A four-component structure was discovered using factor analysis for VI youths in Pakistan. The study established that the factor structure of TSIS is different in Pakistani context as compared to the three factors, original scale developed in the western cultural context. For social and psychological integration, it is necessary to explore VI adolescents’ social intelligence with linguistically appropriate tool.