Measurement of the product attitudes of youth during the selection of assistive technology devices

Abstract

Purpose: This article proposes a conceptual underpinning for and examines the validity of the Youth Evaluation of Products (YEP) scale when used to measure the AT device attitudes of youth. Method: Consumer socialization is promoted to improve the utility of an AT device selection framework for children and youth and inform the development of the YEP scale. A descriptive, qualitative mixed-methods design explored the validity of the scale when used by six manual wheelchair users, aged 11–14 years, to evaluate a new pushrim-activated, power-assisted wheelchair. Three youth participated in a subsequent focus group to share how they assessed wheelchair products. Results: The items and dimensions of the YEP scale corresponded well to participants’ views about wheelchairs. Conclusions: Consumer socialization provides a new way to understand the developing role of youth as AT consumers and the YEP scale is emerging as a way to measure their product attitudes. When integrated with contemporary thinking about the assessment and selection of AT devices, providers and parents may be better able to incorporate the product perspectives of youth during this shared decision-making process.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Understanding the perspectives of consumers during the AT device assessment and selection process leads to better assistive technology outcomes.

• Current thinking about children as consumers and the AT device selection process informs the measurement of product attitudes of youth.

• Child-report questionnaires that reliably measure product attitudes provide parents, assistive technology providers and researchers a practical way to explore the product views and preferences of young consumers.

Keywords::

• Childhood disability
• consumer socialization
• family-centered service
• technology assessment

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the involvement of the young consumers in this study. We also extend a special thanks to Lauren Fehlings and Stephanie Hanson who assisted with data collection and analyses, and Marlene Holder, Beth Morgan, and Dorit Lederer (Holland Bloorview) who assisted with recruitment and protocol development. A special thanks to the Ward Family Foundation for its support of our student researchers and Motion Specialties (Toronto, Canada) for providing the test wheelchair for this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Manufacturer Alber eMotion, Ulrich Alber GmbH, Vor dem Weißen Stein 21, 72461 Albstadt-Tailfingen, Germany (http://www.alber.de/en/home.html)