Concurrent Validity Analysis Research Articles

Assessing health-related quality of life in patients with interstitial lung diseases

BackgroundThe R-Scale-PF was proposed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We generated a German version of the R-Scale-PF (GR-Scale), representing the first translation of the questionnaire into another language and assessed HRQoL longitudinally in various interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) using the R-Scale-PF scoring system at a specialized ILD centre.MethodsWe have translated the questionnaire in accordance with the WHO translation guidelines and applied it to 80 ILD patients of our department, with follow-ups after 3–6 months, assessing its internal consistency, floor and ceiling effects, concurrent validity, known-groups validity, and its responsiveness to changes over time.ResultsAt baseline, all 80 patients completed the GR-Scale. In 70 patients (87.5%), follow-up data could be obtained after 4.43 ± 1.2 months. The GR-Scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α 0.749) and slight floor effects. Concurrent validity analysis showed weak but significant correlations with forced vital capacity (FVC; r=-0.282 p = 0.011) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco; r=-0.254 p = 0.025). In the follow-up analysis, moderate correlations were found with FVC (r=-0.41 p < 0.001) and DLco (r=-0.445 p < 0.001). No significant difference in the total score was found between patients with IPF (n = 10) and with non-IPF ILDs (n = 70). The GR-Scale successfully discriminated between groups of varying disease severity based on lung function parameters and the need for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Furthermore, it was able to distinguish between patients showing improvement, stability or decline of lung function parameters.ConclusionOur prospective observational pilot study suggests that the GR-Scales is a simple and quick tool to measure HRQoL in patients with ILDs, thus providing an important additional information for the clinical assessment of ILD patients.Trial registrationOur study was retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS) on 02.11.2022 (DRKS-ID: DRKS00030599).

Reliability and validity of the German version of the University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale (UJACAS-G)

BackgroundThe University of Jyvaskyla Active Aging Scale (UJACAS) assesses active aging through willingness, ability, opportunity, and frequency of involvement in activities. Recognizing the lack of a German version, the Finnish original was translated (UJACAS-G). This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the test-retest reliability of UJACAS-G; and (2) to explore correlations with health-related parameters (concurrent validity).MethodsThe study (test-retest design) targeted healthy older adults aged 65+. Reliability of UJACAS-G (total and subscores) was assessed using Bland-Altman analyses and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). Furthermore, correlations (Spearman’s rho) between UJACAS-G scores and physical function (walking speed, handgrip strength, balance, 6-minute walk distance), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), life-space mobility (Life-Space Assessment), and health-related quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey) were calculated.ResultsBland-Altman analyses (N = 60; mean age 72.3, SD 5.9 years; 50% women) revealed mean differences close to zero and narrow limits of agreement for all scores (total score: mean difference −1.9; limits −31.7 to 27.9). The ability subscore showed clustering at its upper limit. ICC was 0.829 (95% CI 0.730 to 0.894) for the total score and ranged between 0.530 and 0.876 for subscores (all p-values < 0.001). The total score correlated with walking speed (rho = 0.345; p = 0.008), physical activity (rho = 0.279; p = 0.033) and mental health (rho = 0.329; p = 0.010).ConclusionsUJACAS-G is reliable for assessing active aging among German-speaking healthy older adults. A potential ‘ceiling effect’ regarding the ability subscore should be considered when applying UJACAS-G to well-functioning populations. Analyses of concurrent validity indicated only weak correlations with health-related parameters.

Development of a tool measuring various aspects of social detachment: The social detachment questionnaire for older population

BackgroundSocial detachment includes the subjective aspect “loneliness” and the objective aspect “social isolation,” but tools to assess both dimensions are limited. This study aims to develop a questionnaire, the Social Detachment Questionnaire for Older Population (SDQO), that considers multiple dimensions of social detachment simultaneously. MethodsThe study collected 600 valid samples from individuals aged 55 and above to examine the psychometric properties of the developed SDQO. Item analysis was conducted to assess the performance of each item, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed to analyze its initial structure and eliminate less ideal items. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the model fit of the suggested structure by EFA, using different subsamples. Internal consistency, concurrent validity, and other analyses were also performed. ResultsThe original 27-item SDQO was reduced to 17 items after removing 4 questions in item analysis and 6 questions in EFA. The Cronbach's alpha for the 17-item version of SDQO was 0.80. Both EFA and CFA supported its 6-factor structure, with factors identified as community activities, loneliness, personal resources, leisure activities, friendship, and family resources. SDQO also demonstrated expected performance in concurrent validity. ConclusionThe 17-item version of SDQO exhibited good reliability and validity, measuring various aspects of social detachment behavior, feelings, and resources. It holds value for future research applications.

Exploring Stroke Patients' Needs: A Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Modified Needs Assessment Questionnaire in a Greek Context.

Stroke survivors often face diverse unmet needs highlighting the significance of identifying and addressing these needs to enhance rehabilitation outcomes and overall quality of life. This study aimed to validate the modified Needs Assessment Questionnaire (mNAQ) as a reliable and valid tool for assessing the needs of stroke patients in the Greek context. Additionally the research sought to identify potential differences in the assessment of stroke patients' needs based on their stroke phase and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores. A sample of 71 adult stroke survivors adhering to World Health Organization guidelines and providing autonomous consent participated in the study. The mNAQ comprising 141 items across 12 domains was utilized to evaluate stroke patients' needs. The NIHSS and Barthel Index (BI) were employed for functional independence and mobility assessment. Data analysis incorporated confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's reliability analysis to establish construct validity and internal consistency. Concurrent and known-groups validity analyses were conducted; and Spearman's rho correlation explored the relationship between mNAQ and BI scores. Non-parametric analyses were applied to identify differences based on stroke phase and NIHSS scores. The study revealed that the mNAQ initially lacked satisfactory psychometric properties in the Greek context. Subsequent modifications guided by confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses resulted in a refined three-factor scale encompassing 31 items in the domains of communication, mobility, and social functioning needs. This adapted measure effectively differentiated between acute and chronic stroke patients and those with minor and moderate strokes. In conclusion, the validated 31-item Greek mNAQ emerges as a crucial tool for comprehensively assessing the needs of stroke patients. Its application holds promise for optimizing post-stroke care improving functional outcomes and ultimately enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life for stroke survivors.

Can a global score be derived from the Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale-Short Form (ISLES-SF)? Empirical support for a bi-factor model

The Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale-Short Form (ISLES-SF) is a popular, two-factor measure of meaning-making. Although researchers have used this instrument to calculate a global index of meaning-making, there has been little evidence to support this practice. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the validity of this approach by analyzing data from 2,380 American adults during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of confirmatory factor analyses, reliability analyses, and concurrent validity analyses support a bi-factor model of meaning-making. These results affirm the practice of not only using the ISLES-SF to measure meaning-making at a global level, but also to interpret its two specific dimensions (Comprehensibility and Footing in the World) as well.

Clinimetric Properties of the Chinese Short Form of the Sarcopenia Quality of Life Questionnaire in Patients With Cancer.

Sarcopenia, prevalent in patients with cancer, negatively affects quality of life. However, generic tools are unable to capture the minor effects of sarcopenia on quality of life. The short-form version of the Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SF-SarQoL) questionnaire was developed as an efficient tool to assess the impact of sarcopenia on quality of life in older adults. However, its clinimetric properties in patients with cancer remain unknown. This study was designed to examine the clinimetric properties of the Chinese SF-SarQoL in patients with colorectal cancer, particularly with regard to its ability to detect changes in quality of life. A longitudinal survey was conducted using the SF-SarQoL and other questionnaires on 408 patients with colorectal cancer planning to undergo surgery. Follow-up was subsequently conducted on 341 of these patients 1 month after surgery. The clinimetric properties of the SF-SarQoL were examined, including reliability (internal consistency), validity (construct validity, concurrent validity), sensitivity (ability to detect changes, discriminative ability), and floor and ceiling effects. The internal consistency of the SF-SarQoL was found to be acceptable (Cronbach's alpha = .94 and McDonald's omega = .94). Strong scalability of the total score and each item was confirmed using Mokken analysis. Concurrent validity analyses indicate the SF-SarQoL is significantly correlated with muscle-related and health-related questionnaire scores. The SF-SarQoL showed adequate sensitivity due to its good ability to detect changes in quality of life with a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.56) and discriminate between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients (area under the curve = 0.73, 95% CI [0.66, 0.79]) using receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. No floor or ceiling effects were observed. The Chinese SF-SarQoL exhibits good clinimetric properties in preoperative patients with colorectal cancer and is sufficiently sensitive to capture changes in quality of life after surgery.

Towards comprehending internet gaming disorder: evaluating the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the Craving for Internet Gaming Scale.

This study aims to adapt and verify the psychometric properties of the Craving for Internet Gaming Scale (CIGS) in a Polish sample. Craving, although observed as significantly associated with Internet Gaming Disorder, is not currently included in its diagnostic criteria. This research addresses the need for scales to measure craving in this particular context. The research involved a sample of 575 participants. Psychometric analysis, including confirmatory factor analysis, was conducted to assess the CIGS' reliability and validity. Additional scales, such as the Game Transfer Phenomena Scale, Motives for Online Gaming Questionnaire, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, were used for concurrent validity analysis. The study results demonstrate the excellent psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the CIGS. It showed high reliability in terms of internal consistency and provided evidence for construct validity. Furthermore, it exhibited a positive correlation with various scales associated with problematic video game use and gaming addiction, while also showing a moderate negative correlation with self-control. Our findings suggest that the CIGS retains its psychometric properties in different cultures, making it a valuable instrument for comprehending craving within the context of Internet gaming disorder. Future research should focus on the adaptation of the CIGS to various cultural settings and the exploration of potential intergroup differences.

Reliability and validity analysis of Turkish version of the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index-10 questionnaire.

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index-10 (LURN SI-10). In this, single-centre study, patients between 18 and 65 years old, who were suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) without any known urinary tract disease and on no medication, were enrolled. The control group consisted of participants, who were admitted to our clinic suffering from any complaint except LUTS and met all of the other inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants' demographics such as age, sex, and level of education were recorded. The Turkish version of the LURN SI-10, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8) were administered to all participants. Construct validity was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis and concurrent validity was evaluated with correlations to similar measures. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was used to establish the scale's internal consistency reliability. A total of 164 participants were included in the final analysis. Of those, 57% were male. The individuals were identified as being in the "patient group" (n = 86) and a "control group" (n = 78). The mean age was 48.24 ± 14.30 years. The median total LURN SI-10 scores of patient group and control group were 12.0 (9-18.25) and 4.0 (2.75-6), respectively. The LURN SI-10 questionnaire showed a high correlation with the IPSS and the OAB-V8 questionnaires (r: 0.761; p: 0.001; r: 0.737; p: 0.001, respectively) in concurrent validity analysis. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the LURN SI-10 was 0.850. This promising measurement tool can be used to evaluate LUTS in Turkish women and men. Further studies should be conducted to assess the clinical usefulness of this questionnaire.

Investigating the Factor Structure and Validation of the Multidimensional Scale of Acceptance of Collective Violence Among Teenagers: An Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Background: Collective violence is a significant social issue that impacts individuals' and groups' mental and physical health, social relationships, and educational levels. However, there is currently no valid and reliable scale to measure the acceptance of collective violence among adolescents. Objectives: This study aimed to validate the Multidimensional Scale of Acceptance of Collective Violence (MSACV). Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to validate the MSACV among teenagers in Tehran in 2022. The sample included 840 teenagers selected through random cluster sampling. Data were collected electronically using MSACV and the Aggression Scale (AS), with the questionnaire link sent to participants' mobile phones. Content validity, concurrent validity, and factor analysis methods were used to assess scale validity. Scale reliability was evaluated through internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and split-half reliability. Results: The content validity ratio (CVR) values ranged from 68% to 91%, and the Content Validity Index (CVI) values ranged from 70% to 94% for the relevant, clarity, and simplicity indices. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed that the MSACV questionnaire had 7 factors, explaining a total variance of 58.97%. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) also supported the 7-factor structure of the MSACV questionnaire. The concurrent validity of MSACV with AS was positive and significant (P &lt; 0.001). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the overall scale was 0.91, and subscales ranged from 0.70 to 0.94. Test-retest reliability was 0.86, and split-half reliability was 0.74. Conclusions: This study's findings demonstrate that the MSACV is a valid and reliable scale for measuring the acceptance of collective violence among adolescents. This scale can assist researchers and interventionists in the prevention and treatment of collective violence.

Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of Homework Management, Teacher and Parent Involvement Scales for Middle Schoolers in Turkey

The aim of this research is to adapt the scales "Homework Management, Homework Effort, Teacher Homework Involvement, Teacher Feedback and Parental Homework Support" into Turkish. The research data were collected from 1,698 secondary school students in grades 5 to 8. The sample was divided into four subgroups and explanatory factor analysis was conducted on two groups and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on two groups. Concurrent validity analyses were carried out on all students. Data were collected from students studying in 24 classes of six different secondary schools in the Maltepe, Kartal and Pendik regions of Istanbul. 49.12% of this group of students are girls and 50.88% are boys, and the mean age of the participants is 11.84 years. In addition to the scales adapted to the Turkish language, homework behavior (homework completion, time spent on homework, going to school without homework) and academic achievement were measured for concurrent validity. The results of the EFA and CFA analyses were similar to the original scales for all scales. These findings regarding the number of sub-dimensions, the placement of scale items within these sub-dimensions, and the concurrent validity scores indicate that the Turkish versions of the five scales are valid and reliable for assessing mathematics homework at the secondary school level.

노화불안의 척도 개발 및 타당화

This study aimed to analyze the actual contents of elderly people's anxiety about aging, develop a tool to measure aging anxiety based on this analysis, and validate it. Based on the factors of aging anxiety obtained through the analysis of existing scales for aging anxiety, the analysis of literature related to aging and aging anxiety, and in-depth interviews with 15 elderly participants in the "Senior Culture Leisure Total Service Program," 45 preliminary items consisting of 5 domains and 11 factors were selected. As a result of conducting face-to-face and online surveys targeting 50 to 59-year-old pre-elderly individuals and 216 elderly individuals aged 60 and older living in D, G, and I cities, the final sample of 200 respondents was selected. To validate the obtained data, a series of exploratory factor analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and a concurrent validity analysis were conducted. As a result of the analyses, 10 aging anxiety factors corresponding to physical, psychological, social, environmental, and existential domains were identified, including health loss, attractiveness loss, cognitive function loss, emotional changes, material loss, relationship loss, role loss, loss of meaning in life, death anxiety, and contextual maladjustment. Furthermore, these aging anxiety factors showed relatively high positive correlations with the factors of "life stress" selected as criteria for concurrent validity verification. It is expected that the aging anxiety assessment developed and validated in this study will help to diagnose the factors of psychological anxiety in the elderly more precisely and contribute to providing adaptive counseling support for the elderly.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of the Post-Traumatic Symptom Scale: Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Background: Iranian youth encounter numerous stressors, including accidents, suicide, and unemployment, heightening their risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It's crucial to assess, diagnose, and treat PTSD in this demographic. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the factor structure and validate the Post-Traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS). Methods: A cross-sectional approach was employed for the validation of the PTSS in Bandar Abbas, 2022, with a sample of 901 young residents selected via random cluster sampling. Data were gathered using the PTSS and the Mississippi Scale for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (MSPSS). Validation of the scale encompassed content validity, concurrent validity, and factor analysis. Reliability assessments included internal consistency, test-retest, and split-half reliability. The optimal cut-off point was identified through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the Youden Index. Results: The PTSS demonstrated robust face and content validity, evidenced by impact factor (1.6 &lt; impact factor &lt; 3.6), content validity ratio (CVR = 0.68 to 0.91), and Content Validity Index (CVI = 0.70 to 0.94). The PTSS's concurrent validity with the MSPSS was positively strong (r = 0.64, P &lt; 0.001). Factor analyses, both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA), substantiated a four-factor model of the PTSS, accounting for 56.288% of the variance (19% for arousal and reactivity, 14% for negative alterations in cognitions and mood, 11% for avoidance, and 11% for intrusion). The scale's overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.87, with subscales ranging from 0.77 to 0.88. Test-retest reliability stood at 0.81 (P &lt; 0.01), and split-half reliability at 0.81. The PTSS's optimal cut-off for PTSD diagnosis was 60, delivering a sensitivity of 0.70, specificity of 0.99, and Youden Index of 0.69. Conclusions: The PTSS proves to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing posttraumatic stress symptoms among young Iranians, offering a useful resource for researchers and practitioners in the prevention and treatment of PTSD.

The Intrarater and Interrater Reliability and Validity of Universal Goniometer, Digital Inclinometer, and Smartphone Application Measuring Range of Motion in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The aim of this study was to investigate the intrarater and interrater reliability and validity of range of motion measurements obtained with a universal goniometer, digital inclinometer, and smartphone application in patients with total knee arthroplasty. Range of motion of the knee joint was measured by two examiners with a universal goniometer, digital inclinometer, and a smartphone application. Data were obtained from 51 knees of 27 patients at postoperative 6months. Two measurements made by the first examiner were compared to assess interrater reliability, and measurements from both examiners were compared to assess intrarater reliability. Statistical analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman's rho values. With all three methods, active and passive knee flexion range of motion measurements showed high intrarater and interrater reliability (ICC = 0.749-0.949). Concurrent validity analysis also demonstrated statistically significant, moderate to strong correlation among the three methods (r = 0.775-0.941). The universal goniometer, digital inclinometer, and smartphone application were all found to be reliable and valid assessment tools in clinical practice for patients with total knee arthroplasty.

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Adults.

Listening-related fatigue (LRF) is a prominent topic of research interest. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the 40-item Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Adults (TR-VFS-A-40). This study included 317 adults with no hearing loss and 260 adults with hearing loss in the study group, totaling 577 adults aged 18-75 years. While 31 adults in the study group did not use any hearing technology, there were 96 hearing aid users and 123 cochlear implant (CI) users. A subset of 80 CI users completed the TR-VFS-A-40 a second time, 2 weeks later, to assess test-retest reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to assess test-retest reliability. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate internal consistency. To examine construct validity, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed. For concurrent validity analysis, the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) and TR-VFS-A-40 scores were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test. Cronbach's alpha values were excellent for the total scale of .987 and the cognitive, emotional, physical, and social subscales (.953, .954, .955, and .946, respectively). Analyses of concurrent validity revealed strong and significant correlations between CIS and TR-VFS-A-40 scores, indicating a good concurrent validity. The CFA determined that the construct validity of the TR-VFS-A-40 was satisfactory. The TR-VFS-A-40 is a valid and reliable measure of LRF. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25457752.

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE MONGOLIAN VERSION OF DELAWARE SCHOOL CLIMATE QUESTIONNAIRE (DSCQ)

The Delaware School Climate Questionnaire (DSCQ), initiated by Delaware and his associates, has been utilized as a common tool to explore and evaluate school climate in different countries. The purpose of the current study was to adapt the DSCQ into Mongolian and examine its psychometric properties with a sample of 1,174 secondary school students. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis verified the uni-dimensionality of the scale and confirmed the Mongolian version of DSCQ fit the three-factor model. The Cronbach alpha value of the total scale was 0.92, whereas correlation coefficients representing convergent validity varied from 0.30 to 0.72 (p &amp;lt;.01). The criterion validity of the scale was determined to be 0.3 when the Mongolian language and math achievement test score was used as a criterion in concurrent validity analysis. The results suggest that the Mongolian version of the DSCQ is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate school climate in Mongolian samples.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0258/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Validity and Reliability of the Palliative Care Knowledge Scale.

Tools to measure layout people's knowledge about palliative care are very limited. This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Palliative Care Knowledge Scale (PaCKS) in Turkish on layout people other than healthcare professionals. Perception of Health Scale (PHS) and European Health Literacy Survey (EHLS) scales were used to ensure concurrent validity of PaCKS. Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was found to be .846. In item analysis, item-total score correlations were found to be between .343 and .691. Intraclass correlation coefficient of PaCKS total score was found to be .862, p < .001 in test-retest results. In the concurrent validity analysis, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the PaCKS and the PHS (r = .504, p = .000) and PaCKS and the EHLS (r = .251, p = .017). PaCKS is a simple, applicable and short test that can be easily understood by layout people without any health education.

Adaptation of Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale: Its Relationship with Loneliness, Emotional Flexibility and Resilience Among Adolescents

Understanding and measuring mental well-being among adolescents has recently become a priority. The validity and reliability study of the 7-item short version of the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (SWEMWBS) has not been examined in Turkish adolescents. Therefore, this study aims to adapt the 7-item Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to Turkish and examine the relationships between loneliness, emotional flexibility, resilience, and mental well-being. The data were collected by convenience sampling method from 820 adolescents aged 14-18 from 73 city of Turkey. During the adaptation process of SWEMWBS, confirmatory factor analysis, concurrent validity, and reliability analysis were performed. The findings confirmed the one dimensionality of the 7-item scale on the Turkish adolescent sample. In addition, a significant positive relationship was found between mental well-being and emotional flexibility and resilience. However, there was a significant negative correlation between mental well-being and loneliness. The results showed that the Turkish version of SWEMWBS had strong psychometric properties in adolescents.

Gamified Assessment of the Emotion-Regulation Abilities in Youths: Validation of the REThink Online Game-Based Assessment System.

Objective: Emotional problems in the youth population are a major issue that can have a significant negative impact for their future development as adults. Their emotion regulation (ER) abilities represent a preventive measure for those emotional problems. REThink is an online therapeutic game that was proved to be effective in rigorous studies, and is based on the rational emotive behavioral therapy, with seven levels built to train various emotional regulation skills. Each level has a section that can be used for the assessment of the targeted skills within the level. The present study aimed at investigating the reliability and validity of the evaluation modules from the REThink game regarding the assessment of ER abilities in children/adolescents. Methods: In accordance with established guidelines, 110 children and adolescents aged 8-14 years old were recruited. Following parental informed consent, the participants filled out the standard questionnaires and, subsequently, they played the evaluation module of the REThink game. The reliability aspect was investigated by evaluating internal consistency, while validity was evaluated by using concurrent and predictive validity analyses. Results: The results revealed statistically significant positive associations between the game scores obtained by the participants and the emotion regulation scale. In terms of predictive validity, there were significant negative associations between game scores and the presence of emotional and behavioral problems. Moreover, in terms of the reliability of the REThink game, an acceptable value for the internal consistency was observed. Conclusion: In conclusion, the REThink therapeutic game was proved to be a valid measure for assessing emotion regulation abilities in children and adolescents. Clinical Trial Registration No. NCT04788901.

Gerçek ve Elektronik İletişim Becerileri Envanterinin Türk Örneklemine Uyarlaması: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması

The aim of this research is to adapt the Real and Electronic Communication Skills Scale (RECS) to Turkish samples. The study consists of two stages. In the first stage, linguistic validity, exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency coefficient, test-retest, and item analysis studies were conducted with 680 adolescents. In the second stage, confirmatory factor analysis and concurrent validity were carried out with 409 participants. The findings obtained in the first stage indicated that the Real Communication Skills (RCS) subscale and the Electronic Communication Skills (ECS) subscale explained 60.64% and 58% of the total variance, respectively. It was determined that item factor loads varied between .62 and .89 for RCS and between .55 and .89 for ECS. The internal consistency coefficient and test-retest values were good. As a result of the confirmatory factor analysis performed in the second stage, the goodness of fit indexes of the scale were good (χ2=803.43; df=451; χ2/df=1.78; p=0.00; RMSEA=.044; SRMR=.04; GFI=.90; AGFI=.85; CFI=.98; NFI=.95; IFI =.98; RFI = .95). The concurrent validity analyses indicated that it had significant relationships with the Social Skills Scale, the Communication Skills Scale, and the Shyness Scale. As a result of the analyses, it can be said that the Turkish version of the RECS is valid and reliable.

Test of Oral Health Literacy in Adults (TOHLA): development and psychometric evaluation of a new scale.

This study aimed to develop and rigorously evaluate the Test of Oral Health Literacy in Adults (TOHLA) for the Iranian population, addressing the limitations of existing oral health literacy (OHL) measurement instruments and contributing to the literature on OHL assessment. The development of the TOHLA involved a qualitative approach, which included a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews with a panel of 15 experts from diverse fields and 22 Iranian adults aged 18 to 64 years. The instrument was designed with 48 items categorized into four domains: cognitive skill, communication skill, media skill, and functional skill. Content validity was established through expert input and content validation indices. Construct validity was supported by factor analysis, and concurrent validity was assessed by comparing TOHLA scores with demographic variables. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability analyses were performed to assess the instrument's reliability. The psychometric evaluation of the TOHLA demonstrated strong content validity, construct validity, concurrent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. The instrument exhibited a high level of internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.81 for the entire scale. Test-retest reliability was satisfactory, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.83. Concurrent validity analysis showed statistically significant associations between OHL scores and demographic variables, supporting the instrument's overall performance. The TOHLA overcomes the weaknesses observed in existing instruments and offers a comprehensive tool with strong psychometric properties to assess the OHL of the Iranian adult population. Researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers can utilize the TOHLA to address oral health challenges and enhance overall oral health outcomes among Iranian adults.