Validation of a Decision-Making Skill Test for Turkish Adolescents: Psychometric Properties and Implications

Abstract

This study developed and validated a Decision-Making Skill Test (DMST) for Turkish adolescents to address the lack of culturally appropriate assessment tools for multi-criteria decision-making skills. A cross-sectional design was employed with 427 participants aged 11–17 years from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds across Turkey. Following systematic scale development procedures and expert validation, data were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The final 10-item test demonstrated a unidimensional structure with acceptable psychometric properties (Cronbach's α = 0.73, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.073). Significant developmental trends were observed across age groups, with no gender differences detected. The DMST provides a valid and reliable instrument for assessing decision-making skills among Turkish adolescents, offering educators and researchers a culturally appropriate tool for evaluating multi-criteria decision-making competencies.