Test-Retest Reliability of a Touch Scale for Tactile Defensiveness

Abstract

A touch scale for evaluation of tactile defensiveness in elementary school aged children has been developed and, in the current study, the test-retest reliability of the scale was investigated. Twenty-six children, thirteen males and thirteen females aged five to twelve, were administered the scale by a research assistant and then retested two weeks later. A Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was calculated and found to be significant in terms of variance shared between the first and second testing sessions (r = .5883, p = .001). The results suggest acceptable test-retest reliability for the touch scale, especially considering, (1) the limited variance of the response format upon which the reliability coefficient is based, (2) a two-week interval between tests, and (3) the relatively small sample size. Suggestions for future research are put forth.