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14 pages, 369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The YSQ-R: Predictive Validity and Comparison to the Short and Long Form Young Schema Questionnaire

by Ozgur Yalcin, Ida Marais, Christopher William Lee and Helen Correia

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1778; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031778 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5895

Abstract

The capacity of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) to predict psychopathology in specific clinical groups has consistently produced mixed findings. This study assessed three versions of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), including the long form (YSQ-L3), short form (YSQ-S3), and the recent Rasch-derived [...] Read more.

The capacity of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) to predict psychopathology in specific clinical groups has consistently produced mixed findings. This study assessed three versions of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), including the long form (YSQ-L3), short form (YSQ-S3), and the recent Rasch-derived version, the YSQ-R, and their subscales, in predicting psychological distress in three different psychiatric groups and a non-clinical group. Test equating techniques were first applied to derive a common metric to ensure that each YSQ version was directly comparable. In the second stage, multiple regression analyses were employed to assess the predictive validity of each YSQ version and their subscales. The YSQ-R and YQ-L3 and their respective subscales were similar in their predictive power across all groups and conditions. The YSQ-S3 could not predict pre-treatment Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) and global symptom severity in the PTSD group, nor could it predict pre-treatment EMS and changes in global symptom severity in the Alcohol and Substance Use group. This was the first study to assess the predictive validity of three different versions of the YSQ. Our findings suggest that YSQ-R has the breadth of the YSQ-L3 and the shortness of the YSQ-S3, making it an ideal tool for assessing EMS across research and clinical settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

13 pages, 334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of the Malay Version of the Shame and Stigma Scale among Cancer Patients in Malaysia

by Zheng Zhang, Nizuwan Azman, Hui Ting Eyu, Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar, Hajar Mohd Salleh Sahimi, Mohd Razif Mohamad Yunus, Noorsuzana Mohd Shariff, Rohayu Hami, Nor Shuhada Mansor, Ping Lu and Mohammad Farris Iman Leong Bin Abdullah

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14266; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114266 - 1 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2080

Abstract

The assessment of stigma among cancer patients is of the utmost importance as stigma may lead to various psychological sequelae and a lower quality of life. This study aimed to translate the English version of the Shame and Stigma Scale (SSS) into Malay [...] Read more.

The assessment of stigma among cancer patients is of the utmost importance as stigma may lead to various psychological sequelae and a lower quality of life. This study aimed to translate the English version of the Shame and Stigma Scale (SSS) into Malay and validate the Malay version of the SSS (SSS-M) to assess the degree of stigma among cancer patients in Malaysia. Initially, the concurrent translation and back translation of the SSS-M were performed, and the face and content validity were assessed. Subsequently, the SSS-M was administered to a total of 234 patients with mixed types of cancer to assess its reliability (internal consistency and test–retest reliability), construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity), and conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The SSS-M total score registered a good internal consistency (a Cronbach’s α of 0.881) and test–retest reliability (an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.876, p < 0.001). The EFA and CFA confirmed that the SSS-M consisted of 16 items in 3 domains. Its convergent and discriminant validity were achieved. Hence, the SSS-M demonstrated good psychometric properties and is available for use to assess stigma among cancer patients in Malaysia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

24 pages, 1161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contextualized Measurement Scale Adaptation: A 4-Step Tutorial for Health Psychology Research

by Benjamin Ambuehl and Jennifer Inauen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12775; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912775 - 6 Oct 2022

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3408

Abstract

Health psychology research is inherently context specific: Different health behaviors are executed by different target groups (e.g., gender, age) in different social structures, cultures, and environments. This asks for the adaptation of research instruments to enhance specificity. For example, when using measurement scales [...] Read more.

Health psychology research is inherently context specific: Different health behaviors are executed by different target groups (e.g., gender, age) in different social structures, cultures, and environments. This asks for the adaptation of research instruments to enhance specificity. For example, when using measurement scales in new contexts, translation and psychometric validation of the instruments are necessary but not sufficient if the validity of the psychological concept behind a measurement scale has not been researched. In this study, we build on existing guidelines of translation as well as psychometric validation and present four steps on how to adapt measurement scales to a new context: Step 1 asks whether the psychological concept is found in the new context. Step 2 asks whether the measurement scale and its items are understood in the new context. Step 3 asks whether a measurement scale is valid and reliable. Step 4 asks how the items of the measurement scale perform individually. Following these four steps, measurement scales are carefully translated, adapted, and validated and can therefore be transferred to very different contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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23 pages, 784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Different Dimensions of Workplace Spirituality and Psychological Well-Being: Measuring Mediation Analysis through Conditional Process Modeling

by Rizwan Raheem Ahmed, Farwa Abbas Soomro, Zahid Ali Channar, Alharthi Rami Hashem E, Hassan Abbas Soomro, Munwar Hussain Pahi and Nor Zafir Md Salleh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811244 - 7 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4263

Abstract

The present study aims to identify the relationship between workplace spirituality, compassion, relationship with others at work, spiritual orientation, organizational value and alignment of personal values, and psychological well-being among universities’ teachers. Further, the mediating effect of job stress was also identified between [...] Read more.

The present study aims to identify the relationship between workplace spirituality, compassion, relationship with others at work, spiritual orientation, organizational value and alignment of personal values, and psychological well-being among universities’ teachers. Further, the mediating effect of job stress was also identified between workplace spirituality and psychological well-being. Similarly, the mediation of environmental mastery between organizational values and alignment of personal values and psychological well-being was examined. Finally, we examined the mediation of personal growth between spiritual orientation and psychological well-being. The data were collected through a structured and adapted five-point Likert scale using a purposive sampling technique, with a total sample of 873 male and female university teachers working in the private and government universities. We employed structural equation modeling to check the relationship among the considered variables for analysis purposes. The results show a strong positive relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The findings further demonstrated that the mediation analysis confirms that job stress mediates the relationship between workplace spirituality and psychological well-being, and environmental mastery mediates between organizational values and alignment of personal values and psychological well-being. Finally, personal growth mediates between spiritual orientation and psychological well-being. To maintain the excellent quality of education, educational institutes need to identify and imply the practice of workplace spirituality that will help to reduce job stress and improve the psychological well-being of universities’ teachers, thus resulting in better educational output. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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14 pages, 1039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functioning of the EROS-R Scale in a Clinical Sample of Psychiatric Patients: New Psychometric Evidence from the Classical Test Theory and the Item Response Theory

by Lindsey W. Vilca, Evelyn L. Chambi-Mamani, Emely D. Quispe-Kana, Mónica Hernández-López and Tomás Caycho-Rodríguez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 10062; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610062 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2004

Abstract

Reliable and valid assessment instruments that can be applied briefly and easily in clinical and outpatient settings that provide information about the sources of reinforcement that the patient finds in his life are especially relevant in therapy. The study aimed to evaluate the [...] Read more.

Reliable and valid assessment instruments that can be applied briefly and easily in clinical and outpatient settings that provide information about the sources of reinforcement that the patient finds in his life are especially relevant in therapy. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Environmental Reward Observation Scale (EROS-R) in a sample of psychiatric patients. A sample of 228 psychiatric patients of both sexes (56.1% men and 43.9% women) aged between 18 and 70 years was selected. Along with the EROS-R, other instruments were administered to assess depression and anxiety. The results show that the scale fits a unidimensional model, presenting adequate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.077 (IC 90% 0.055–0.100); SRMR = 0.048; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98). It was also shown that the degree of reward provided by the environment (EROS-R) correlates negatively with the level of depression (ρ = −0.54; p < 0.01) and anxiety (ρ = −0.34; p < 0.01). From the IRT perspective, all the items present adequate discrimination indices, where item 4 is the most precise indicator to measure the degree of environmental reward. All this leads us to conclude that the EROS-R is an instrument with robust psychometric guarantees from TCT and IRT’s perspectives, making it suitable for use in clinical contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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15 pages, 1811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rasch Modeling and Differential Item Functioning of the Self-Stigma Scale-Short Version among People with Three Different Psychiatric Disorders

by Chia-Wei Fan, Kun-Chia Chang, Kuan-Ying Lee, Wen-Chi Yang, Amir H. Pakpour, Marc N. Potenza and Chung-Ying Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8843; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148843 - 21 Jul 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2658

Abstract

Self-stigma is prevalent in individuals with psychiatric disorders and can profoundly affect people. A unified assessment with sound psychometric properties is needed for evaluating self-stigma across psychiatric conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Stigma Scale-Short [...] Read more.

Self-stigma is prevalent in individuals with psychiatric disorders and can profoundly affect people. A unified assessment with sound psychometric properties is needed for evaluating self-stigma across psychiatric conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Stigma Scale-Short version (SSS-S) using Rasch modeling. Six-hundred and twelve participants with substance use disorders (n = 319), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (n = 100), and schizophrenia (n = 193) completed the SSS-S. Rasch results confirmed the unidimensionality of the nine items of the SSS-S. The four-point Likert scale of the SSS-S reflected monotonical increases along the self-stigma continuum. No ceiling or floor effects were detected. Among the three subdomains of the SSS-S, cognitive items appeared to be the most robustly endorsed, and behavioral items were the least endorsed. Two items in the SSS-S displayed differential item functioning across the three diagnoses. Additionally, SSS-S scores showed weak to moderate correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores. The SSS-S had overall satisfactory psychometric properties. Healthcare professionals may use this assessment to assess self-stigma in multiple psychiatric groups, and information gained may facilitate improved care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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17 pages, 2565 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Network Analysis of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S): A Large-Scale Cross-Cultural Study in Iran, Bangladesh, and Norway

by Oscar Lecuona, Chung-Ying Lin, Dmitri Rozgonjuk, Tone M. Norekvål, Marjolein M. Iversen, Mohammed A. Mamun, Mark D. Griffiths, Ting-I Lin and Amir H. Pakpour

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6824; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116824 - 2 Jun 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3464

Abstract

The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to high levels of fear worldwide. Given that fear is an important factor in causing psychological distress and facilitating preventive behaviors, assessing the fear of COVID-19 is important. The seven-item Fear of [...] Read more.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to high levels of fear worldwide. Given that fear is an important factor in causing psychological distress and facilitating preventive behaviors, assessing the fear of COVID-19 is important. The seven-item Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) is a widely used psychometric instrument to assess this fear. However, the factor structure of the FCV-19S remains unclear according to the current evidence. Therefore, the present study used a network analysis to provide further empirical evidence for the factor structure of FCV-19S. A total of 24,429 participants from Iran (n = 10,843), Bangladesh (n = 9906), and Norway (n = 3680) completed the FCV-19S in their local language. A network analysis (via regularized partial correlation networks) was applied to investigate the seven FCV-19S items. Moreover, relationships between the FCV-19S items were compared across gender (males vs. females), age groups (18–30 years, 31–50 years, and >50 years), and countries (Iran, Bangladesh, and Norway). A two-factor structure pattern was observed (three items concerning physical factors, including clammy hands, insomnia, and heart palpitations; four items concerning psychosocial factors, including being afraid, uncomfortable, afraid of dying, and anxious about COVID-19 news). Moreover, this pattern was found to be the same among men and women, across age groups and countries. The network analysis used in the present study verified the two-factor structure for the FCV-19S. Future studies may consider using the two-factor structure of FCV-19S to assess the fear of COVID-19 during the COVID-19 era. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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14 pages, 1371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Re-Developing the Adversity Response Profile for Chinese University Students

by Xiang Wang, Zi Yan, Yichao Huang, Anqi Tang and Junjun Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116389 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3023

Abstract

Adversity response is fundamental to dealing with adversity. This paper reports the re-development and subsequent psychometric evaluation of the Adversity Response Profile for Chinese University Students (ARP-CUS). The data were collected from a Chinese university student sample (n = 474). Factor analysis [...] Read more.

Adversity response is fundamental to dealing with adversity. This paper reports the re-development and subsequent psychometric evaluation of the Adversity Response Profile for Chinese University Students (ARP-CUS). The data were collected from a Chinese university student sample (n = 474). Factor analysis and Rasch analysis were used to examine the psychometric properties of the ARP-CUS. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a six-factor model; then confirmatory factor analysis supported a five-factor solution. Rasch analysis provided further evidence of the psychometric quality of the instrument in terms of dimensionality, rating scale effectiveness, and item fit statistics for those six dimensions. The final version of the ARP-CUS contains 24 items across five subscales for assessing students’ responses to adversity, including control, attribution, reach, endurance, and transcendence. Overall, ARP-CUS demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties for quantifying the adversity quotient of Chinese university students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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11 pages, 950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Health Professionals in the COVID-19 Context

by Gracielle Pereira Aires Garcia, Isabela Fernanda Larios Fracarolli, Heloisa Ehmke Cardoso dos Santos, Samuel Andrade de Oliveira, Bianca Gonzalez Martins, Lacir José Santin Junior, Maria Helena Palucci Marziale and Fernanda Ludmilla Rossi Rocha

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074402 - 6 Apr 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4471

Abstract

To assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in health professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic context. Method: Cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic (snow-ball) sampling method. The assessment was performed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the prevalence of symptoms [...] Read more.

To assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in health professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic context. Method: Cross-sectional study with non-probabilistic (snow-ball) sampling method. The assessment was performed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the prevalence of symptoms severity was calculated by point and 95% confidence interval. The analysis of the psychometric properties of DASS-21 was performed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the following goodness of fit indices: χ²/df (chi-square ratio by degrees of freedom), Tucker–Lewis index (TLI), comparative fit index (CFI) and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) with a 90% confidence interval. Results: The study participants were 529 health professionals (82.4% women and 66.7% nursing professionals). CFA of the DASS-21 structural model presented adequate fit for the sample (χ²/df = 3.530; CFI = 0.979; TLI = 0.976; RMSEA = 0.069). Regarding prevalence, moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were found in 48.6%, 55.0% and 47.9% of the participants, respectively. Conclusion: The use of DASS-21 confirmed the validity and reliability of the data. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in the participants indicated a high risk of mental illness in health professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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16 pages, 716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement Invariance and Construct Validity of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) in Community Volunteers in Vietnam

by Willem A. Arrindell, Irene Checa, Begoña Espejo, I-Hua Chen, Danilo Carrozzino, Phuong Vu-Bich, Huong Dambach and Paula Vagos

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3460; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063460 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3693

Abstract

Worldwide, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) has become the most widely used measure of life satisfaction. Recently, an authorized Vietnamese-language version has been introduced. Using a convenience sample comprising community volunteers from Ho Chi Minh City (N = 1073), confirmatory support was [...] Read more.

Worldwide, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) has become the most widely used measure of life satisfaction. Recently, an authorized Vietnamese-language version has been introduced. Using a convenience sample comprising community volunteers from Ho Chi Minh City (N = 1073), confirmatory support was found for the cross-national constancy of the one-dimensional structure underlying the SWLS. Corrected item–total polyserial correlations and Omega coefficient were satisfactory. Using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, configural, metric, and scalar invariance of the SWLS factorial structure were tested by gender, age, marital status, income, and educational level. Strong evidence of scalar invariance was found for gender and education, on which relevant subgroups did not differ in terms of latent means. Partial scalar invariance was found for marital status (item 4 and 5) and income (item 4). Being involved in an intimate relationship or having a higher income were associated with higher latent means. Scalar invariance in relation to age was very poor. Accordingly, caution must be exerted when comparing age groups. A high SWLS score was predictive of good self-rated health. Implications of the findings are briefly discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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12 pages, 550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology in a Malaysian Sample

by Lai Fong Chan, Choon Leng Eu, Seng Fah Tong, Song Jie Chin, Shalisah Sharip, Yee Chin Chai, Jiann Lin Loo, Nurul Ain Mohamad Kamal, Jo Aan Goon, Raynuha Mahadevan, Chian Yong Liu, Chih Nie Yeoh and Tuti Iryani Mohd Daud

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2801; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052801 - 28 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2583

Abstract

Depression is ranked as the second-leading cause for years lived with disability worldwide. Objective monitoring with a standardized scale for depressive symptoms can improve treatment outcomes. This study evaluates the construct and concurrent validity of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology [...] Read more.

Depression is ranked as the second-leading cause for years lived with disability worldwide. Objective monitoring with a standardized scale for depressive symptoms can improve treatment outcomes. This study evaluates the construct and concurrent validity of the Malay Self-Report Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR16) among Malaysian clinical and community samples. This cross-sectional study was based on 277 participants, i.e., patients with current major depressive episode (MDE), n = 104, and participants without current MDE, n = 173. Participants answered the Malay QIDS-SR16 and were administered the validated Malay Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for DSM-IV-TR. Factor analysis was used to determine construct validity, alpha statistic for internal consistency, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for concurrent validity with MINI to determine the optimal threshold to identify MDE. Data analysis provided evidence for the unidimensionality of the Malay QIDS-SR16 with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.88). Based on ROC analysis, the questionnaire demonstrated good validity with a robust area under the curve of 0.916 (p < 0.000, 95% CI 0.884–0.948). A cut-off score of nine provided the best balance between sensitivity (88.5%) and specificity (83.2%). The Malay QIDS-SR16 is a reliable and valid instrument for identifying MDE in unipolar or bipolar depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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9 pages, 571 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance by Gender of the Abbreviated Three-Item Version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Colombian Sample

by Begoña Espejo, Marta Martín-Carbonell and Irene Checa

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052595 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2410

Abstract

(1) Background: The need to offer brief scales with items that can be answered with few response options is increasingly important in order to be able to access a broad range of the population. The three-item version of Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale [...] Read more.

(1) Background: The need to offer brief scales with items that can be answered with few response options is increasingly important in order to be able to access a broad range of the population. The three-item version of Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale has recently been proposed. The objective of this study is to study the psychometric properties of the three-item version of this Scale with five response options, as well as the measurement invariance by gender, in a Colombian sample; (2) Methods: A confirmatory factor model of the three items of the scale together with the Flourishing Scale has been tested, and the measurement invariance by gender of the model has been studied. The results offer a very satisfactory fit of the model, showing good evidence of construct and criterion validity, good indicators of reliability and measurement invariance by gender; (4) Conclusions: The three-item version of the Life Satisfaction Scale, previously adapted to the Colombian population with five response options, is presented as a valid and reliable measurement tool. In future studies, it would be convenient to study the test–retest reliability, as well as its psychometric properties in different samples and at a cross-cultural level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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11 pages, 345 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychometric Qualities of the McMaster Family Assessment Device–General Functioning Subscale for Malaysian Samples

by Chin Wen Cong, Soon Aun Tan, Sarvarubini Nainee and Chee-Seng Tan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042440 - 20 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4472

Abstract

Family functioning has been associated with psychological well-being and physical health. The 12-item McMaster Family Assessment Device–General Functioning Subscale (FAD-GF) has been widely used to assess individuals’ overall level of family functioning. However, it has shown an inconsistent factor structure across various studies. [...] Read more.

Family functioning has been associated with psychological well-being and physical health. The 12-item McMaster Family Assessment Device–General Functioning Subscale (FAD-GF) has been widely used to assess individuals’ overall level of family functioning. However, it has shown an inconsistent factor structure across various studies. The present study investigated its psychometric qualities in two studies with two different adult samples in Malaysia. In Study 1 (N = 417, 55.3% females, 19 to 26 years old), exploratory factor analyses were conducted, and four models were found: a three-factor model with 11 items, a two-factor model with 12 items, and one-factor models with six negatively worded items and six positively worded items, respectively. Study 2 (N = 358, 65.1% females, 18 to 60 years old) compared models found in past studies and those found in Study 1 through confirmatory factor analyses on another sample of adults. Among the six competing models, the two-factor model with three positively worded and three negatively worded items (i.e., FAD-GF-SF) is preferable because it did not require modification and showed a clear-cut result of goodness of fit. The subscales demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency. In conclusion, the FAD-GF-SF is a useful instrument for measuring family functioning in the Malaysian context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

14 pages, 651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychometric Testing of the Bahasa Version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire among Indonesians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

by Yohanes Andy Rias, Andi Hayyun Abiddin, Nuh Huda, Sri Handayani, Healthy Seventina Sirait, Li-Chung Pien, Shuen-Fu Weng and Hsiu-Ting Tsai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9601; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189601 - 12 Sep 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3512

Abstract

The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) has been recommended to validate illness perception. Nevertheless, this measurement has yet to be validated with an assessment of the construct and convergent validities and reliability in Indonesia. Our study aimed to psychometrically test the 8-item B-IPQ [...] Read more.

The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) has been recommended to validate illness perception. Nevertheless, this measurement has yet to be validated with an assessment of the construct and convergent validities and reliability in Indonesia. Our study aimed to psychometrically test the 8-item B-IPQ among Indonesians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Data included 294 patients with T2DM with stratified multistage clustering. The 36-item Short Form Survey, 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were used to examine convergence and divergence. The validity analysis included the construct and convergent validities with significant person correlations. Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE) were used to assess reliability. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses indicated a multidimensional structure, including cognitive with a five-item structure and emotional illness representation with a three-item structure, with an acceptable goodness of model fit. The tool revealed good internal consistency for the cognitive, emotional, and overall domains and was positively moderately correlated with FBG, stress, anxiety, and depression but negatively correlated with the overall quality of life and mental and physical component scores. Findings provide empirical evidence that the Bahasa version of the B-IPQ showed adequate internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory, and thus is valid and reliable for illness perception assessments among Indonesians with T2DM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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18 pages, 1229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measuring Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Aboriginal Youth Using Strong Souls: A Rasch Measurement Approach

by Ella Gorman, Brody Heritage, Carrington C. J. Shepherd and Rhonda Marriott

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168425 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3268

Abstract

Currently, there are few robustly evaluated social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) measures available for use with Aboriginal youth in research, policy, and practice. As such, this study used a Rasch measurement approach to examine the psychometric properties of Strong Souls, a 25-item self-reported [...] Read more.

Currently, there are few robustly evaluated social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) measures available for use with Aboriginal youth in research, policy, and practice. As such, this study used a Rasch measurement approach to examine the psychometric properties of Strong Souls, a 25-item self-reported SEWB instrument, created for use with Aboriginal youth in the Northern Territory. Our sample (N = 154) included youth (15–25 years old) living on Whadjuk (metropolitan Western Australia; N = 91) and Kamilaroi countries (rural New South Wales; N = 63). Using Rasch modelling techniques, evidence for multidimensionality in the scale was observed, resulting in subsequent analyses conducted separately on two subscales: Psychological Distress and Resilience. The Resilience subscale did not meet the Rasch model assumptions, with poor person and item separation and reliability indexes suggesting the scale was not reliably differentiating between participants’ Resilience scores. The Psychological Distress subscale had mixed separation and reliability index results, with good construct validity implied but poorer ability to target the distress of participants. Our findings provide novel evidence demonstrating the functioning of Strong Souls in a contemporary sample of Aboriginal youth, suggesting further modifications of the instrument are required before it can be used with confidence as a reliable measure in this population group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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15 pages, 669 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Assessing Cognitive Abilities Using the WAIS-IV: An Item Response Theory Approach

by Gomaa Said Mohamed Abdelhamid, Marwa Gomaa Abdelghani Bassiouni and Juana Gómez-Benito

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(13), 6835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136835 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 9054

Abstract

Background: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) has been adapted to 28 different cultures and there has been considerable interest in examining its structure through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. This study investigates item and scale properties of the Egyptian WAIS-IV [...] Read more.

Background: The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) has been adapted to 28 different cultures and there has been considerable interest in examining its structure through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. This study investigates item and scale properties of the Egyptian WAIS-IV using item response theory (IRT) models. Methods: The sample consisted of 250 adults from Egypt. The item-level and subtest statistical properties of the Egyptian WAIS-IV were established using a combination of four dichotomous IRT models and four polytomous IRT models. In addition, factor analysis was performed to investigate the dimensionality of each subtest. Results: Factor analysis indicated the unidimensionality of each subtest. Among IRT models, the two-parameter logistic model provided a good fit for dichotomous subtests, while the graded response model fitted the polytomous data. Most items of the Egyptian WAIS-IV showed high discrimination, and the scale was adequately informative across the levels of latent traits (i.e., cognitive variables). However, each subtest included at least some items with limited ability to distinguish between individuals with differing levels of the cognitive variable being measured. Furthermore, most subtests have items that do not follow the difficulty rank they are ascribed in the WAIS-IV manual. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that the Egyptian WAIS-IV offers a highly valid assessment of intellectual abilities, despite the need for some improvements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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20 pages, 1132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of Psychometric Properties of the 10 IB Learner Profile Instrument (10IBLP-I): A Combination of the Rasch and Classical Measurement Model

by Miftahuljanah Kamaruddin and Mohd Effendi Ewan Mohd Matore

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(12), 6455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126455 - 15 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2755

Abstract

Background: The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) aims to produce a holistic transformation with creative and critically minded students. However, very little attention has been paid to the development of an instrument to measure the IB learner profile with good psychometric properties. [...] Read more.

Background: The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP) aims to produce a holistic transformation with creative and critically minded students. However, very little attention has been paid to the development of an instrument to measure the IB learner profile with good psychometric properties. Purpose: This study aims to develop an instrument with good psychometric properties, based on the Rasch measurement model and confirmatory factor analysis. Methods: The study consists of two phases of pilot and field studies involving 597 year four students from IBWS MOE. Results: The findings from the Rasch measurement model analysis have shown that 54 items meet the criteria of the item fit, unidimensionality, and reliability index. Meanwhile, confirmatory factor analysis found that 44 items have shown a valid item fit index. Conclusions: The combination of both analyses has shown the strength of 10IBLP-I psychometric properties that cover the aspects of validity and reliability. The findings also provide an implication to the theory, with empirical evidence that the IB learner profile consists of 10 constructs. Besides, the evidenced 10IBLP-I comprises good psychometric properties, which can be used to measure the level of IB learner profile among IBWS MOE students to assess the effectiveness of the implementation of IBMYP in Malaysia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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19 pages, 393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multidimensional Model of Environmental Attitudes: Evidence Supporting an Abbreviated Measure in Spanish

by Elena Andrade, Gloria Seoane, Luis Velay and Jose-Manuel Sabucedo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094438 - 22 Apr 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2361

Abstract

We conducted three independent studies to support the Spanish version of the Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI). The first study consisted of translating and pre-testing on a sample of 125 college students. The second consisted of testing the EAI on a sample of 225 [...] Read more.

We conducted three independent studies to support the Spanish version of the Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI). The first study consisted of translating and pre-testing on a sample of 125 college students. The second consisted of testing the EAI on a sample of 225 university students in several undergraduate courses. Student data were collected using two different methods, through an online teaching platform and in the classroom. The findings were symmetrical in terms of precision and dimensionality. The third study completed the aforementioned ones testing the items on a representative sample from the general population in Spain. The participants were 630 citizens from 17 regions and responded to the EAI using an online platform. The results of the factor analysis led us to propose a measurement model, with 18 items and six first-order factors: environmental movement activism, conservation motivated by anthropocentric concern, confidence in science and technology, personal conservation behaviour, human dominance over nature, and support for population growth policies. External validity evidence was assessed by the correlation with the following variables: neuroticism, ecological behaviour, limits to economic growth, economic liberalism, sustainability, altruism, and social desirability. These estimations stayed away from demographic and personal aspects such as age, sex, political ideology, and region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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11 pages, 343 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Psychometric Qualities Evaluation of the Interdependent Happiness Scale across Malaysia, Philippines, and India

by Chee-Seng Tan, Shue-Ling Chong, Argel Bondoc Masanda and Sanju George

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010187 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3162

Abstract

The nine-item Interdependent Happiness Scale (IHS; Hitokoto & Uchida, 2015) is a self-report of interpersonal happiness that focuses on three dimensions: relationship-oriented happiness, quiescent happiness, and ordinary happiness. Few studies have evaluated the psychometric properties of the IHS in diverse cultural backgrounds and [...] Read more.

The nine-item Interdependent Happiness Scale (IHS; Hitokoto & Uchida, 2015) is a self-report of interpersonal happiness that focuses on three dimensions: relationship-oriented happiness, quiescent happiness, and ordinary happiness. Few studies have evaluated the psychometric properties of the IHS in diverse cultural backgrounds and the findings are inconsistent. This study investigated whether the IHS has sound psychometric qualities in three Asian countries. University students from Malaysia (n = 263), Philippines (n = 239), and India (n = 310) answered the IHS and self-rated creativity scale. Confirmatory factor analysis on each sample supported the nine-item second-order model with error covariances. The overall IHS score showed good reliability in all samples. The subscales, however, had mixed results except for the Indian sample. Similarly, the convergent validity test showed mixed results while discriminant validity is supported in all samples except for the quiescent happiness subscale in the Indian sample. Concurrent validity was established across three samples by showing a positive relationship with creativity score. The results highlight that the higher-order structure of the IHS is consistently supported in different cultural contexts. However, some of the items are perceived differently and require further improvement in enhancing the cross-cultural usability of the IHS to measure socially-oriented happiness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

9 pages, 614 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Psychometric Evaluation of the Malay Version of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III for Malaysian Adolescents

by Chin Wen Cong, Chee-Seng Tan, Hooi San Noew and Shin Ling Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010156 - 24 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3743

Abstract

The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale III (FACES-III) has been widely used to measure an individual’s family functioning in terms of cohesion and adaptability. In Malaysia, the FACES-III has been translated into the Malay language for the community, but its psychometric properties in [...] Read more.

The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale III (FACES-III) has been widely used to measure an individual’s family functioning in terms of cohesion and adaptability. In Malaysia, the FACES-III has been translated into the Malay language for the community, but its psychometric properties in this context remain unknown. Thus, the purpose of this research is to examine the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the FACES-III in 852 adolescents attending secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Data were randomly split into two halves: the exploration sample and the validation sample. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the exploration sample and a two-factor model was discovered after removing nine items that showed low factor loading. Then, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the validation sample to compare the one-factor models, two-factor models, and three-factor models. Results showed that the 11-item two-factor model (FACES-III-M-SF) was superior to the other competing models. Both the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses replicated the two-factor structure of the original version of FACES-III. The reliability of the overall scale was consistently good, but the subscale results were mixed. This suggests that researchers should use the overall score, but not the subscale scores, in analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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7 pages, 553 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Forgiveness in the Context of Divorce: A Cross-Cultural Measurement Invariance Study via Multiple-Group Factor Analysis (CFA) across Chile and Spain

by Diana Rivera-Ottenberger, Mónica Guzmán-González, Carlos Calderón, Sagrario Yárnoz-Yaben and Priscila Comino

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8236; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168236 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2504

Abstract

(1) Background: Current research on the factors involved in the adaptation process to divorce or separation has explored cross-cultural differences. An initial step in the cross-cultural field is to investigate whether the measurements applied are comparable in different cultural contexts. The aim of [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Current research on the factors involved in the adaptation process to divorce or separation has explored cross-cultural differences. An initial step in the cross-cultural field is to investigate whether the measurements applied are comparable in different cultural contexts. The aim of the present study is to test the measurement invariance of the Questionnaire of Forgiveness in Divorce-Separation (CPD-S); (2) Methods: The CPD-S was completed by 556 (M = 44.52, SD = 10.18) and 240 (M = 41.44, SD = 7.87) Chilean and Spanish divorced individuals, respectively. Confirmatory factor analyses in single samples and measurement invariance testing in a multi-group framework were conducted to test the cross-group equivalence; (3) Results: The single-factor structure of the CPD-S was supported in both countries. Measurement invariance analysis demonstrated that the CPD-S had partial scalar measurement invariance; (4) Conclusions: The evidence supports the conclusion that CPD-S operates similarly across both countries. Findings are discussed from a cross-cultural and methodological perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment Instruments in Health Psychology and Psychological Wellbeing)

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