Development and validation of a multidimensional effective communication scale for senior high school graduates
Roselle G. Aniceto, Albert P. Bayawa II & Abegail B. Palcongan
Abstract
Senior high school graduates often face emotional barriers, such as speaking anxiety and fear of judgment, even when they possess adequate language skills. To address this gap, this study developed and validated a multidimensional scale to evaluate effective communication among Grade 12 graduates, anchored in the Transactional Model of Communication and the "6 Cs" of message construction. Through Exploratory Factor Analysis, three core dimensions emerged: Authenticity, Empathy, and Sensitivity, which were subsequently refined through Confirmatory Factor Analysis into an 18-item scale demonstrating strong model fit (CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.0716). The final instrument showed high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding 0.80 across all factors. At the same time, correlation analyses indicated that authenticity is strongly related to empathy, which in turn is moderately related to sensitivity. By addressing cognitive, relational, and emotional dimensions, this validated tool provides a structured framework for assessing graduate outcomes and guiding instructional practices aligned with 21st-century skill requirements.
Keywords
scale development, speaking anxiety, transactional model of communication, factor analysis
Author information & Contribution
Roselle G. Aniceto. Corresponding author. Doctor of Philosophy in Language with a specialization in English. Faculty, University of Baguio Science High School. Email: roselleaniceto@e.ubaguio.edu
Albert P. Bayawa II. Master’s degree in Mathematics. Faculty, University of Baguio Science High School. Email: albertbayawa@e.ubaguio.edu
Abegail B. Palcongan. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental and Conservation Biology. Faculty, University of Baguio Science High School. Email: abegailpalcongan@e.ubaguio.edu
"Roselle G. Aniceto, Albert P. Bayawa II, and Abegail B. Palcongan conceptualized and finalized the research framework. All authors contributed to the acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data. The authors collaboratively drafted, reviewed, and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Funding
This work was supported by Research, Innovation, Extension, and Community Outreach (RIECO) of the University of Baguio.
Institutional Review Board Statement
The study was conducted in accordance with the research ethics guidelines of the Research, Innovation, Extension, and Community Outreach (RIECO) of the University of Baguio. The paper underwent a systematic review. Participation was voluntary, informed consent was obtained from all participants, and confidentiality and anonymity were strictly maintained throughout the research process.
Data and Materials Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
AI Declaration
The authors declare the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in writing this paper. In particular, the authors used ChatGPT to assist in language refinement, grammar checking, paraphrasing, and improving the clarity of the manuscript. The authors take full responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and final content of the work, including all AI-assisted outputs.
Notes
This paper has been presented at the 1st National Research Colloquium titled Scholars Connect 2025: National Seminar on Graduate and Professional Collaboration, hosted by the Research, Innovation, Extension, and Community Outreach (RIECO) Office of the University of Baguio. The event was held on November 21, 2025 (Friday), from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the University of Baguio Centennial Hall.
Acknowledgement
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Cite this article:
Aniceto, R.G., Bayawa, A.P. & Palcongan, A.B. (2026). Development and validation of a multidimensional effective communication scale for senior high school graduates. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 7(3), 52-79. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijemds.353378
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