Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist die Untersuchung der psychometrischen Eigenschaften, faktoriellen Struktur und konvergenten Validität der deutschsprachigen Version des Parent Rated Life Orientation Test of Children (PLOT) zur Messung von Optimismus und Pessimismus bei 4 bis 6-jährigen Vorschulkindern. Eltern von 145 Kindergartenkindern (77 Mädchen; Alter: M = 5.0, SD = 0.6 Jahre) schätzten Optimismus und Pessimismus sowie Emotionsregulation der Kinder ein. Außerdem wurde das Problemverhalten der Kinder (Eltern- und Erzieherinneneinschätzung) erfasst. Konsistent zu Studien mit Schulkindern und Jugendlichen zeigte sich eine zweidimensionale Faktorenstruktur mit einem Optimismus- und einem Pessimismusfaktor. Die Ergebnisse ergaben theoriekonforme Zusammenhänge mit Problemverhalten und Emotionsregulation der Kinder. Insgesamt weisen die gefundenen Reliabilitäts- und Validitätswerte auf eine gute Verwendbarkeit des PLOT bei Vorschulkindern hin. Das neue Messverfahren kann einen Beitrag zum besseren Verständnis von Zukunftserwartungen bei Vorschulkindern leisten und als Screening-Instrument zur Identifikation von Kindern mit einem Entwicklungsrisiko dienen.
Abstract. The present study aims at presenting psychometric properties, factor structure, and convergent validity of the German version of the Parent Rated Life Orientation Test of Children (PLOT) to measure optimism and pessimism in 4- to 6-year old children. Parents of 145 preschool children (77 girls; Age: M = 5.0, SD = 0.6 years) rated the children’s optimism and pessimism as well as their emotion regulation. Moreover, the children’s problem behavior (parent and caregiver report) was assessed. In agreement with studies on school children and adolescents, a two-dimensional structure with an optimism and a pessimism factor could be revealed. Consistent with theoretical reasoning results indicate relations of optimism/pessimism with problem behavior and emotion regulation. The reported reliability and validity of the PLOT point at its applicability in preschool children. The new measure may contribute to a better understanding of dispositional optimism and pessimism among preschoolers and can be useful as a screening instrument to identify children at risk.
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