Examining the Linguistic Equivalency and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist- Tagalog Version

Abstract

Children's ability to adequately process sensory information from their environments contribute to the development of self-regulation. The increasing prevalence of sensory processing difficulties in both clinical and normative childhood population underscores the need for assessment. However, in the Philippine context, there is no cross-culturally validated tool that measures sensory processing and self-regulation among children. Both language equivalency and cultural-relevance should be addressed when translating health-related outcomes. In this study, the accuracy of linguistic equivalency and cultural relevance of the Tagalog version of the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist (SPSRC) was validated. Using a multi-step process of forward translation, equivalence of translation testing, backward translation, face, and content validation, and cross-cultural adaptation inquiry, the SPSRC-Tagalog was examined. Adaptation of colloquial English terms was incorporated, and several items whose examples were deemed not culturally relevant were modified to reflect the language and culture it is intended for. The findings in this study support the linguistic equivalency and cultural-relevance of the SPSRC-Tagalog as a single measure of sensory processing and self-regulation abilities of Tagalog-speaking Filipino children that can be used by Filipino occupational therapists. Future studies should further examine its psychometric properties in the target population.