The EC-HOME Across Five National Data Sets in the 3rd to 5th Year of Life

Abstract

Objective. We developed conceptually based alternatives to the original subscales of the Early Childhood Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (EC-HOME), which were created using factor analysis. The reliability and validity of the new subscales was tested using 5 large data sets that include young children whose home environment was assessed with the EC-HOME. Design. In each data set, subscales were generated via a priori reasoning, but were required to meet minimal standards of reliability. Subscales' composition and psychometric properties were compared across data sets. To assess the subscales' predictive validity, bivariate and partial correlations were computed between scores at age 3 and cognitive and behavioral outcomes measured up to 2 years later. Results. Similar subscales emerged across data sets. The subscales that best predicted cognition and behavior were Learning Stimulation and Access to Reading. Conclusions. Conceptually driven subscales pose a viable alternative to the original subscales, and may provide more precise information about pathways of influence from the home environment to early cognition and behavior among young children.

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