Assessment of the Psychometric Characteristics of Theory of Mind Inventory among children in Iranian population

Theory of mind is one of the challenging topics in developmental psychology. The aim of this research was to study the reliability and validity of Theory of Mind Inventory among children in Iranian population. The study population included 490 children (244 males and 246 females) enrolled through random cluster sampling method. The mean age of participants was 6±2.02 years. The Theory of Mind Inventory was answered by the participant’s mothers in one session. Obtained data were processed using the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for scale’s reliability and confirmatory factor analysis for scale’s validity. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed that the Hutchins’s Theory of mind Inventory retains a high reliability (0.77) in all three levels including primary (0.9), basic (0.68) and advanced (0.74). Factor analysis, using several indexes showed that the model has a strong fitness in determining factors in the primary level as expressed by Hutchins. Moreover, the normalization findings showed median scores of 19, 17.94 and 15 in primary, basic and advanced levels, respectively. No difference in theory of mind was noted between boys and girls. Results showed that the Theory of Mind Inventory retains an acceptable reliability and validity in Iranian children. The tool can be used by researchers and developmental psychology professionals to measure and empower the theory of mind in children.