The Personal Attribute Inventory for Children: a Report on its Validity and Reliability as a Self-Concept Scale

Abstract

Forty seven third-grade children and 28 sixth-grade children were administered both the Personal Attribute Inventory for Children (PAIC) and the Piers-Harris (1969) Children's Self Concept Scale (PHCSCS). A correlation of .67 (p < .001) was found between these two scales. Based on four week test-retest reliability coefficients for third grade pupils, the PHCSCS (r = .86, p < .001) was found to be more reliable than was the PAIC (r = .61, p < .001). For sixth grade pupils, however, both instruments were found to be about equally reliable (PHCSCS, r = .85, p < .001; PAIC, r = .83, p < .001). Researchers might wish to consider using the PAIC, as it provides not only a relatively valid and reliable measure of children's self-concepts, but also one that is very easy to administer and to score.