Construct validity for the self-reported competency and sub-construct associated characteristics of Romanian physicians in autism spectrum disorder

Table 4 Latent sub-scores for physicians’ knowledge, attitude, and practices as determined by factor analysis and their sub-scores ( N = 383)

Factors	Latent characteristic of variables involved in the Factor	Min Score	Max Score	Frequency of physicians at sub-scores for each Factor Row % (n)
Factors	Latent characteristic of variables involved in the Factor	Min Score	Max Score	0	1	2	3	4
Factor1^a	Knowledge of stigma related to ASD (N = 376)	0	3	26.1 (98)	17.6 (66)	13.3 (50)	43.1 (162)	NP^*
Factor2 ^b	Knowledge of potential cause(s) of ASD (N = 374)	0	4	15.2 (57)	20.3 (76)	27.5 (103)	20.6 (77)	16.3 (61)
Factor3 ^c	Knowledge of the behavior of children with ASD (N = 375)	0	2	20.3 (76)	37.6 (141)	42.1 (158)	NP	NP
Factor4 ^d	Misconceptions about ASD (N = 377)	0	2	47.8 (180)	48.0 (181)	4.2 (16)	NP	NP
Factor5 ^e	Knowledge of educational needs and outcomes related to ASD (N = 379)	0	1	4.7 (18)	94.3 (361)	NP	NP	NP
Total ^f	Total Score based on the 12 questions used in Factor Analysis (N = 371)	1	11	Mean = 6.5	SD^* = 2.0	Q1^* = 5	Q2^* = 6	Q3^* = 8

^* Standard Deviation (SD), First quartile (Q1), median (Q2), third quartile (Q3)
^a Factor 1 sub scores were missing for 7 physicians; ^b Factor 2 sub scores were missing for 9 physicians; ^c Factor 3 sub scores were missing for 8 physicians; ^d Factor 4 sub scores were missing for 6 physicians; ^e Factor 5 sub scores were missing for 4 physicians; ^f Total score was missing for 12 physicians; ^* NP = Not possible due to maximum score limitation

ISSN: 1472-6920