Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Alcohol Craving Scale in Chilean Adult Patients: Measurement Invariance Across Age, Gender, and Type of Treatment

Over the last decades, psychological science has become more and more international (Alonso-Arbiol & van de Vijver, 2010). In order to be able to compare research findings from different countries and in different languages, it is important to ensure the comparability of the assessment methods used. Thus, translations of standard measures have now appeared in a multitude of different languages. The increased availability of different language versions of the same measurement tools would seemingly create a need to internationally publish articles introducing these versions. An often-heard argument is that, in order for the translated measure to be useful, an English language publication has to test its psychometric properties. Let us scrutinize this argument more closely. An argument often used to support the need for an English-language publication concerning a translated instrument is that the international research community would not accept research findings based on translated instruments whose psychometric properties have not also been published in English. This is a dangerous thought, on the one hand, because it implies a certain mistrust: A peer-reviewed publication would otherwise suffice. On the other hand, besides this theoretical consideration, we will address some more practical issues below. When a new measurement tool is constructed, among the first questions to be answered are the following: 1. For what measurement purpose is the instrument designed (e.g., personnel selection, clinical assessment)? 2. What is the target population (e.g., adolescents, adults, patients)? 3. Who will employ the instrument (e.g., researchers, practitioners)? When translating an existing measurement tool into another language, clearly one must answer these questions as well. Obviously, the original authors have already defined the measurement purpose of the instrument. The same usually holds true for the target population and the instrument user. However, during translation of a measurement tool these aspects should be reconsidered and expressed specifically. Sometimes a translation goes hand in hand with a changed (or changing) target population or measurement purpose. Thus, measures are usually translated with a specific goal. Most translations probably aim for one of the following three goals: 1. to make a particular instrument available in a different language, 2. to provide a means for cross-cultural research, 3. to conduct research on the specific instrument itself. Not all of these translation goals have the same readership in mind. Consequently, depending on the translation goal, an English-language publication of the instrument’s psychometric properties may be more or less useful. When making a standard instrument available to a different language community, practitioners usually represent the targeted readership. This in itself is a valuable goal because practitioners probably make up the majority of test-users. However, it can be assumed that most practitioners have better access to journals published in their own language. Moreover, practitioners most likely find it easier to comprehend the ever-increasing complexity of data analyses if they can read it in their native language. Consequently, publishing findings in national journals should in fact positively affect the acceptance of the translated instrument. For this reason, this should be the preferred outlet of the article if the translation goal is to make the instrument available to local practitioners. This is especially true if testing the psychometric properties closely mirrors the original publication, so that the translated instrument and its inherent qualities are introduced to the practitioner at the same time. There are several examples where such a publication strategy was successful. Rammstedt and John (2005) as well as Lang, Ludtke, and Asendorpf (2001) published German versions of the Big Five Inventory (BFI), albeit differing in length. Both papers are cited 8–9 times per year on average since their appearance. Moreover, there are Germanas well as English-language papers that apply these translated BFI versions. Thus, the publications reached the intended audience and sparked new research that was accepted internationally.

The empathy questionnaire for children and adolescents (EmQue-CA) in Chinese: Psychometric properties and measurement invariance.

Background: performance evaluation is essential to ensure quality healthcare services, especially in the field of nursing. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the factorial structure, reliability, and invariance by sex and age of the work performance scale in Peruvian nurses. Methods: confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to evaluate the internal structure of the scale, and psychometric properties including reliability and convergent validity were determined. Additionally, factorial invariance was evaluated according to participants' sex and age. Results: the CFA supported the structure of three factors (Task Performance, Counterproductive Behaviors, Contextual Performance) and showed adequate and stable psychometric properties for a 12-item version (: χ2 = 231,09, df = 78; CFI = 0,97, TLI = 0,96, RMSEA = 0,06 (90 % CI: 0,05-0,06), and SRMR = 0,03). Strict factorial invariance was demonstrated for both sex and age, and adequate internal consistency was found for each dimension, as well as convergent validity. Conclusions: the work performance scale, in its 12-item version (IWPQ-P), is a valid and reliable measure for evaluating work performance in Peruvian nurses. Its factorial invariance by sex and age makes it a useful tool for future research and practical applications in nursing performance evaluation

The Swedish version of the Insomnia Severity Index: Factor structure analysis and psychometric properties in chronic pain patients

Immune (Idiopathic) Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP): Treatment Pattern and Splenectomy Rate from a Multinational Prospective Observational Study

The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 are two of the most commonly used measures of anxiety and depression in clinical practice and research. Although the measures are frequently used, little is known about their measurement invariance across diverse populations. Because both measures were originally developed and validated in largely White samples, it is necessary to ensure that the psychometric properties of the measures are similar across populations. In the present study, we use a national sample of college students from the Healthy Minds Study to examine the measurement and structural invariance of GAD-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in Black and White individuals (n = 4,669 for each group). Findings support the one-factor structure of each measure. Within-gender analyses suggested that Black males demonstrated residual invariance on both measures with White males. Black females demonstrated residual invariance on Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and metric invariance on GAD-7 with White females. Findings suggest that males will often score lower than females on each measure even when they have the same latent levels of depression and anxiety, and Black females will likely score lower than White females on GAD-7 even at the same latent levels of anxiety. The measures failed to demonstrate structural invariance with the correlation of latent anxiety and depression factors being significantly stronger in Black individuals. Findings highlight the need to weigh means to account for measurement bias of GAD-7 and for researchers and practitioners to carefully examine the scores of participants and patients when making inferences regarding inclusion in clinical research and the probable presence of diagnoses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

BackgroundThe Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), an insomnia measurement tool based on the updated Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria with sound psychometric properties when applied in various populations, was evaluated here among healthcare students longitudinally, to demonstrate its measurement properties and invariance in this particularly high-risk population.MethodsHealthcare students of a Chinese university were recruited into this two-wave longitudinal study, completing the simplified Chinese version of the SCI (SCI-SC), Chinese Regularity, Satisfaction, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, Duration (RU_SATED-C) scale, Chinese Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4-C), and sociodemographic variables questionnaire (Q-SV) between September and November 2022. Structural validity, measurement invariance (MI), convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of the SCI-SC were examined. Subgroups of gender, age, home location, part-time job, physical exercise, and stress-coping strategy were surveyed twice to test cross-sectional and longitudinal MI.ResultsWe identified 343 valid responses (62.9% female, mean age = 19.650 ± 1.414 years) with a time interval of seven days. The two-factor structure was considered satisfactory (comparative fit index = 0.953–0.989, Tucker–Lewis index = 0.931–0.984, root means square error of approximation = 0.040–0.092, standardized root mean square residual = 0.039–0.054), which mostly endorsed strict invariance except for part-time job subgroups, hence establishing longitudinal invariance. The SCI-SC presented acceptable convergent validity with the RU_SATED-C scale (r ≥ 0.500), discriminant validity with the PHQ-4-C (0.300 ≤ r < 0.500), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.811–0.835, McDonald’s omega = 0.805–0.832), and test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.829).ConclusionThe SCI-SC is an appropriate screening instrument available for assessing insomnia symptoms among healthcare students, and the promising measurement properties provide additional evidence about validity and reliability for detecting insomnia in healthcare students.

ObjectivesTo explore the existence and strength of a relationship between hospital volume and mortality, to estimate minimum volume thresholds and to assess the potential benefit of centralisation of services.DesignObservational population-based...

BackgroundGiven the recent evidence on gender differences in the presentation of autism, there is an increasing concern that current tools for autism do not adequately capture traits more often found in women. If tools for autism measure autistic traits differently based on gender alone, their validity may be compromised as they may not be measuring the same construct across genders. Measurement invariance investigations of autism measures can help assess the validity of autism constructs for different genders. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and critically appraise the psychometric properties of all self-report tools for autism in adults that meet two criteria: (a) they have been published since or included in the NICE (2014) recommendations, and (b) they have undergone gender-related measurement invariance investigations as part of their validation process.MethodsA search of electronic databases will be conducted from 2014 until the present using MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO using predefined search terms to identify eligible studies. The search for grey literature will include sources such as OpenGrey, APA PsycEXTRA, and Scopus. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts for eligibility. The references of included studies will be searched for additional records. The methodological quality of the studies will be evaluated using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, while psychometric quality of findings will be assessed based on criteria for good measurement properties and ConPsy checklist. The quality of the total body of evidence will be appraised using the approach outlined in the modified GRADE guidelines.DiscussionThis systematic review will be among the first to assess the psychometric properties and gender-related measurement invariance of self-reported measures for autism in adults that were published since (or included in) NICE (2014) guidelines. The review will provide recommendations for the most suitable tool to assess for autism without gender bias. If no such measure is found, it will identify existing tools with promising psychometric properties that require further testing, or suggest developing a new measure.Systematic review registrationThe protocol has been registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). The registration number is CRD42023429350.

Associations between unmet interpersonal needs and different aspects of suicide have been observed in both Western and non-Western cultures using the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ). However, measurement invariance is a prerequisite for comparing differences between culturally different groups, and to date, no studies have examined measurement invariance of INQ across cultures. This study aimed to (a) validate Chinese versions of the INQ, (b) assess measurement invariance across gender for the Chinese INQ, (c) assess measurement invariance across Australian and Chinese cultures for the INQ, and (d) comprehensively assess the association of interpersonal needs with suicide ideation. A sample of 469 Australian undergraduates and a sample of 854 Chinese undergraduates were used in this study. For testing measurement invariance across gender, the sample of Chinese undergraduates was split by gender into the Chinese male and Chinese female samples. Five versions of INQ (10-, 12-, 15-, 18- and 25-item) were tested. The 10- and 15-item Chinese INQ demonstrated adequate psychometric properties through various analyses (i.e., reliability, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling) and also demonstrated measurement invariance across gender via multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. The 10-item INQ demonstrated measurement invariance across Australian and Chinese cultures. Of the two interpersonal factors, only perceived burdensomeness was significantly associated with suicide ideation. Multigroup structural equation modeling demonstrated that perceived burdensomeness may be a greater risk factor of suicide among Australian undergraduates than among Chinese undergraduates. Practical and theoretical contributions of this study are discussed.

The Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) is widely used for assessing resilience. However, evaluations of the BRS's measurement invariance across different countries are scarce. This study examines the psychometric properties of the BRS across 21 countries, using a sample of 10,259 participants from the COVIDiSTRESS II Global Survey dataset. It investigates the reliability, factor structure, criterion validity, and measurement invariance across age, sex, and countries. The results indicate that the BRS has high reliability, and the two-factor structure is the most widely applicable optimal structure. Full measurement invariance across sex was achieved, while partial measurement invariance across age was established. With respect to geographical heterogeneities, the Central American subgroup achieved full measurement invariance while partial measurement invariance was observed in the South American subgroup. Regarding cultural differences, partial measurement invariance was obtained in the Latin American subgroup. However, the full country group and the other country subgroups did not achieve measurement invariance. The significant correlations between the BRS and factors like stressors, perceived stress, loneliness, social support, and emotion regulation support its criterion validity. These findings suggest that the BRS is a valuable psychometric tool for resilience research. However, caution is needed when applying it across different age groups and countries.

BackgroundSelf-compassion has been regarded as a key psychological construct and a protective factor of mental health status. The focus of the present study was to adapt the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) into Chinese, assess the validity and reliability of the measure and test measurement invariance (MI) across nursing students and medical workers.MethodsThe current study assessed the psychometric properties and invariance of the SCS-Short Form (SCS-SF) in two samples of 2676 from nursing students and medical workers. For construct validity, confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses (CFAs and EFAs) were conducted. Using Perceived Stress Questionnaire , Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8) and Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, we evaluated concurrent validity and convergent/divergent validity. For reliability, internal consistency and test–retest analysis were employed. Multi-group analyses were conducted to examine MI of the different SCS-models across populations.ResultsCFA showed that the proposed six-factor second‐order model could not be replicated and the six-factor first‐order model was a reasonable to mediocre fitting model in both samples. EFA supported a three-factor structure which consisted of one positive and two negative factors. CFA confirmed that the hypothesized three-factor structure with 10 items ultimately was considered as the optimal model on the fitted results. The SCS-SF‐10 (10 items form) also demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and test–retest reliability, as well as strong concurrent validity with measures of stress perception, health status, anxious and depressive symptoms. Convergent/divergent validity was not satisfactory. Multi-group CFAs provided support for the validity of the established models.ConclusionThe Chinese version of the SCS-SF‐10 has sound psychometric properties and can be applied to efficiently assess self-compassion in Chinese-speaking populations. The current study contributes to the identification and measurement of self-compassion after adversities.

Patients with depression can be mistakenly labeled as treatment-resistant if they fail to receive an adequate first-line antidepressant trial. Adding second-line agents to the treatment regimens can create an additional burden on both the patients and the healthcare system. To determine if depressed patients receive an adequate antidepressant trial prior to starting second-line therapy and to investigate the association between the type of second-line treatment and severity of illness or depression among unipolar versus bipolar patients. Oklahoma Medicaid claims data between 2006 and 2011. Subjects were depression-diagnosed adult patients with at least two prescriptions of antidepressants followed by a second-line agent. Patients were categorized into one of three groups: an atypical antipsychotic, other augmentation agents (lithium, buspirone, and triiodothyronine), or adding antidepressants, based on the type of second-line therapy. An adequate trial was defined per the American Psychiatric Association guidelines. Factors associated with the type of treatment were tested using multinomial logistic regression models stratified by type of depression (unipolar vs. bipolar patients). Variables used to measure receiving an adequate antidepressant trial included: trial duration, adherence, dose adequacy, and number of distinct antidepressant trials. A total of 3910 patients were included in the analysis. Most subjects reached the recommended antidepressant dose. However, 28 % of patients had an antidepressant trial duration <4 weeks and only 60 % tried at least two antidepressant regimens prior to adding second-line therapy. Approximately 50 % of the subjects were non-adherent across all groups. Severity of illness and receipt of an adequate antidepressant trial were not predictors of the type of second-line treatment. Many patients do not receive an adequate antidepressant trial before starting a second-line agent. The type of second-line treatment was independent of severity of depression. These findings support policies that require reviewing the recommended dose and duration of the first-line antidepressant before adding second-line agents. Healthcare providers need to review the patient's history and reconsider the evidence for prescribing second-line agents.

Factor structure of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire: Configural invariance and measurement invariance across postpartum time periods

PurposeThe cognitive behavioral model is considered the most comprehensive for explaining the pathogenesis of health anxiety (HA). The model proposes 4 dysfunctional beliefs that play a vital role in developing and sustaining HA: a) the likelihood of contracting or having an illness, b) awfulness of the illness, c) difficulty coping with illness, and d) inadequacy of medical services. The Health Cognitions Questionnaire (HCQ), widely used in English populations, was developed for assessing these core cognitions. As HA is a growing problem in China, we translated the HCQ into a Chinese version (CHCQ) and examined its psychometric properties. These core cognitions were compared among individuals with and without medical conditions.MethodsA set of questionnaires that included the CHCQ and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) was used to gather data from 1,319 Chinese college students. After 4 weeks, 145 of the students completed the CHCQ again. The validity, reliability, and measurement invariance were evaluated among individuals with various medical conditions.ResultsThe final CHCQ included 19 items. A 4-factor structure was well suited to the data. Good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α for total score was 0.849, subscales ranged from 0.753 to 0.841), test–retest reliability (the interclass correlation coefficient for total score was 0.762, subscales ranged from 0.626 to 0.683), and criterion validity of the CHCQ were demonstrated. Measurement and structural invariance were established. Individuals with a diagnosed disease scored higher on the likelihood-of-illness subscale (Cohen’s d =0.22, p < 0.01) than those without an illness.ConclusionThe CHCQ shows promise for the assessment of 4 core HA-related cognitions in the Chinese population.