CVD-AES: Construct and concurrent validity of a novel scale to measure the adverse effects of congenital colour vision deficiency

Abstract

In recent decades, colour has become an increasingly relied-upon tool within the classroom, but, little research has been conducted on the impact of this change on the educational experiences and outcomes of colour-vision deficient (CVD) students. Here, following a qualitative study of childhood impacts of CVD, we developed and validated a questionnaire (the CVD Adverse Effects Scale; CVD-AES) measuring the adverse effects of CVD, focusing on education. CVD participants reported significantly more difficulties than control participants in total and across all subscales: Education (15 items), Social (5 items), Emotions (13 items) and Day-to-Day (9 items), demonstrating construct validity and providing evidence that CVD has an adverse effect on affected individuals. There was a significant correlation between scores on the CVD-AES and a comparable measure, the Colour Blind Quality of Life (CBQoL) scale, demonstrating good concurrent validity of the novel scale. We suggest that the questionnaire should be used alongside robust diagnostic tools for CVD, allowing investigation of the effect of CVD type and severity, and to understand the impacts of the increasing reliance of colour on CVD students across a range of educational contexts.