Analysis of Components of Positive Psychological Capital of Parents of Children with Disabilities in Special Education Centers Thailand a Mixed Method Original Research

Abstract

The research on studying and enhancing positive psychological capital in parents of children with disabilities in special education centers across the country aimed 1) to analyze components of positive psychological capital in parents of children with disabilities, 2) to examine a measurement model of positive psychological capital in parents of children with disabilities. The population in the study was fathers or mothers whose children are persons with disabilities who are studying in 77 special education centers across the country. The sample was selected from a stratified random sampling method, consisting of 394 persons. The research instrument used for data collection was a positive psychological capital scale for parents of children with disabilities. The discrimination power of the instrument ranged from 0.213 to 0.755, the reliability was 0.919. Data analysis was performed by confirmatory factor analysis. The findings from the study revealed that the confirmatory factor analysis of the positive psychological capital measurement model for parents was consistent with the empirical data (x²=1.026, df = 308, p=0.364, GFI=0.95, AGFI=0.92, CFI=1.00, RMSEA=0.008, SRMR=0.032). Factor loadings ranged from 0.86 to 0.94. All components were statistically significant at the level of 0.01. Structural reliability ranged from 0.00-0.64, showing that the developed positive psychological capital measurement could describe parents’ positive psychological capital. Factor loadings could be arranged in an order as resilience, hope, optimism, and self-efficacy, respectively.