Abstract
Orientation: The lack of locally developed and validated neurodiversity attitude measures in the South African context and the increasing discrimination faced by neurodiverse individuals in the workplace indicated the need for a culturally appropriate measure.
Research Purpose: To validate the Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire for application in the South African context.
Motivation for the Study: The Neurodiversity Attitudes Questionnaire (NDAQ) was originally developed in a Western context, primarily targeting individuals in helping professions. To date, the instrument has not been validated in South Africa, nor applied across other professional contexts, raising questions about its cultural relevance.
Research Approach, Design and Methodology: Responses were gathered from 379 participants using an online questionnaire. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (ESEM), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) models were compared to the original study, and multiple fit indices were assessed to support the evaluation. Rasch Analysis was conducted to determine the item fit and item difficulty of the NDAQ.
Main Results: The original five-factor structure of the NDAQ could not be replicated in the South African context. Multiple analyses, including EFA, ESEM, and CFA, were conducted to identify an acceptable model fit; however, none provided sufficient evidence to support the validation of the NDAQ for this population.
Contributions of the Study: Although the NDAQ was not validated in the South African context, the study contributes to the literature by highlighting the limitations of applying Western-developed instruments across cultures. It provides insights into an Afrocentric...