GLOBAL USE OF THE DENVER II: VALIDITY, RELIABILITY, AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION

This study examines how the Denver II Developmental Screening Test, frequently used in the developmental assessment of children aged 0 to 6, is applied in different cultural contexts and the effects of cultural adaptations on validity and reliability. Developmental screening tests play a crucial role in identifying developmental issues and initiating early interventions. The study adopted qualitative content analysis and focused on cultural adaptation studies in the literature. A comparative analysis of validity and adaptation studies conducted in countries such as Spain, Singapore, Brazil, and South Korea was made, based on the test's original application in the United States. Among the key outcomes of this study are the findings from Spain, where the test showed strong psychometric indicators; Singapore, where certain linguistic structures were adjusted; Brazil, which emphasized the need for culturally grounded revisions; and South Korea, where both language and instructional changes were made to improve accuracy in practice. These adaptations reflect how developmental expectations and child-rearing practices vary across cultures. The discussion emphasizes that valid application in new contexts requires not only translation but also restructuring based on cultural interaction patterns, social norms, and developmental expectations. Ultimately, cultural adaptation affects both measurement accuracy and the effectiveness of early intervention. Therefore, it is emphasized that contextual sensitivity is a fundamental condition for the international use of the Denver II.