An Investigation of the Psychometric Properties of the McMaster Clinical Rating Scale (MCRS)

The main purpose of the present research was to validate the McMaster Clinical Rating Scale (MCRS) among the married men and women who consult the counseling centers in the province of Sanandaj. The study adopted a correlative design (factor analysis via Tendentious Oblimin Rotation Sort and confirmatory factor analysis). The study sample included 357 subjects who were randomly chosen during two phases (in the first phase, 283 subjects and in the second phase, 74 subjects) from among all the men and women clients in the counseling centers in Sanandaj. The participants completed the McMaster Clinical Rating Scale (MCRS) and the Criterion Questionnaires, and then the data was analyzed using the factor analysis via Tendentious Oblimin Rotation Sort and confirmatory factor analysis. The results obtained from the factor analysis via Tendentious Oblimin Rotation Sort indicated the seven factors of the McMaster Clinical Rating Scale (MCRS), which later fitted the confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability coefficients of the internal consistency including Cronbach’s alpha and split-half were satisfactory for the 60 elements and seven factors (83% and 82% respectively). Furthermore, the discriminating and convergent validity coefficients of the McMaster Clinical Rating Scale (MCRS) were examined by the measurement tools for Communication Patterns Questionnaire(CPQ), locus of control scale(LOCS),self-Differentiation of Self Inventory-2 (DSI-2) and the correlation results for the three criteria are respectively as follows: 46%, 36%, -41%, and -43% which are significant at (P<0001). The results of the factor analysis are consistent with previous findings and considering the validity and the reliability of the McMaster Clinical Rating Scale (MCRS), it can be used in research and clinical environments for distinguishing the normal people from the abnormal ones.