Internal Consistency Analysis Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT OF THE XENOPHOBIA IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY (XHCD) SCALE

The aim of this study is to develop the "Xenophobia in Healthcare Delivery Scale" and evaluate its validity and reliability in our society. It is a methodological scale development study carried out between September and December 2023. In scale development studies, it is recommended that the sample size be 10-20 times the number of questions in the scale. Since the scale planned to be developed consists of 18 questions, it was decided that the sample would consist of 360 participants working in a tertiary hospital. The data were evaluated with SPSS and AMOS package programs. As validity analysis; Content Validity Index was applied for content validity, and Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were applied for construct validity. As reliability analyses; Internal consistency analysis (Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient), test-retest reliability and item analysis based on lower-upper groups were applied. The study was completed with 101 male (27.7%) and 264 female (72.3%) participants with an average age of 31.5±7.5 (min=21, max=59). As a result of exploratory factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient was found to be 0.91 and the Bartlett test result was also found to be significant (X2=2470.8 and p

A psychometric study of validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Holden Communication Scale for elderly with dementia in care homes

Purpose This paper aims to validate and adapt the Arabic version of Holden Communication Scale (HCS) for assessing communication skills among old people with dementia in care home. Design/methodology/approach A study involving 210 elderly residents from Jordanian care homes was conducted, where they completed the Arabic version of the HCS. Internal consistency and factor analysis techniques were precisely used to assess the scale's reliability. Additionally, cognitive function evaluation used the Arabic iteration of the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) questionnaire, while communication skills were comprehensively appraised using the HCS. Findings The Arabic HCS has strong content validity, with a one-component structure accounting for 60% of the variation and a three-factor structure accounting for 77.2% of the variance. The original three-subgroup structure of the scale was recreated, and internal consistency varied from 0.85 to 0.87, indicating good reliability. Originality/value This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the HCS among old people with dementia residing in care homes. The authors conducted examination of its psychometric properties within this unique population.

Validation of the Persian version of the attitudes toward intellectual disability.

Attitudes toward individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are the most important factor affecting their social integration and can cause them to experience a sense of achievement or discrimination. The present study aimed to evaluate the latent factor structure and validity of the Persian version of the Attitudes toward Intellectual Disability (ATTID) Short-Form questionnaire. The latent factor structure of the Persian version of the ATTID Short-Form was established in a convenient sample of the general population (N=280) in Iran. The structural validity and temporal reliability, internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis were evaluated. Data analysis was done with SPSS v23 Windows edition and R v4.2.1. The Persian version of the ATTID Short-Form was shown to have a five-factor structure: discomfort, knowledge of capacity, interaction, sensitivity and knowledge of cause. The structure was appropriately fit according to the fit indices (χ2(485)=530.12), (P-value=0.077). All the subscales had good temporal reliability. Findings suggest that the Persian version of the Short-Form of ATTID is a brief, valid and reliable measure that can be used in research and clinical practice.

Translation, validation, and comparison of genetic knowledge scales in Greek and German.

Introduction : Advances in biosciences have significantly expanded our knowledge and capabilities in medicine and technology. Genetic tests can now predict hereditary predisposition or susceptibility to diseases, while gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas enable easy repair of disease genes in both somatic and germline cells, ensuring permanent genome correction. Despite these advancements, there is a shortage of valid instruments for studying the knowledge about these technologies. To fill this gap, our study aims to translate and validate various scales to effectively measure the public's knowledge of genetics. Methods: A convenience sample of N = 567 (Germany n = 317, Greece n = 250) participants completed a Google Forms questionnaire between December 2022 and June 2023, which included the General Knowledge of Genes and Heredity (GKGH), Knowledge about Gene-Environment Interaction (KGEI), and Knowledge of Modern Genetics and Genomics (KMGG) questionnaires. Analyses included internal consistency, structural validity, construct validity, and retest reliability with a subset of n = 72 (DE) and n = 50 (GR). Correlation analyses and group differences were evaluated for gender, education, religiosity, age, prior experience with genetic testing, and preferences toward potential providers of genetic testing. This study used the STROBE checklist for reporting. Results: The GKGH exhibited low values in internal consistency and item analysis, along with a ceiling effect within the German group. However, it demonstrated good values in retest and construct validity. In the Greek group, all properties were highly satisfactory. The KMGG consistently displayed excellent properties across all analyses, whereas the KGEI only showed convincing results in construct validity and item analysis. Discussion: The GKGH and KMGG demonstrated strong psychometric properties with varying difficulty levels dependent on the sample, with the German sample demonstrating a notably higher understanding of genetic technologies. Despite displaying acceptable properties, the KGEI fell short of measuring what its title suggests. Participants' level of education showed a significant correlation with knowledge of genetic technologies, and only in the Greek sample did experiences with genetic tests influence knowledge. Preferences regarding availability of genetic testing are comparable between the two countries, with variations influenced by factors such as age, gender and religiosity.

Reliability and Validity of the Spanish Version of the Brief-BESTest in Stroke Patients.

Background: Balance disorders and postural control treatments play an important role in fall prevention. The Brief-BESTest is a short-scale employed to evaluate balance and fall risk in different populations. Balance assessment is a fundamental element in patients with Acquired Brain Injury rehabilitation since postural alteration is one of the most frequent sequelae. The objective was to validate the Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest questionnaire in the stroke population. Methods: Subjects of both sexes aged over 18 years with a diagnosis of acute/chronic stroke were included. The BESTest, Mini-BESTest, Brief-BESTest, Berg Balance Scale, and Timed Up & Go Test were used to assess balance. The scales were implemented once. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to assess the internal consistency and confirmatory factorial analysis was employed to assess validity. Results: A total of 44 patients with a mean age of 65.35 years (SD = 10.665) participated. Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed a high internal consistency with a value of 0.839. In the criterion validity, there was a high positive correlation between the Brief-BESTest and BESTest (r = 0.879), Mini-BESTest (r = 0.808), and Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.711). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the Brief-BESTest scale is valid and reliable, showing adequate psychometric properties for balance assessment in patients with acute or chronic stroke.

Assessment of adaptive behavior in people with intellectual disabilities: Design and development of a new test battery

BackgroundAdaptive behavior is an important characteristic of people with intellectual disabilities, and it has been associated with a person's performance in social and work contexts. Indeed, adaptive behavior denotes what a person does independently, without help, support, reminders, or prompts. In Peru, available measures of adaptive behavior are commercial; thus, there is a need for an open-access tool to assess the adaptive behavior of people with intellectual disabilities. For this reason, the aim of the study was to design and develop a new Adaptive Behavior Test Battery for people from 13 to 60 years old with intellectual disabilities who have an interest in being part of the economically active population. MethodsA cross-sectional design was defined, starting with a qualitative approach to designing and constructing the item pool for the test battery. Then, quantitative indexes Aiken's V for content validity and Krippendorff's alpha for inter-observer reliability were estimated, resulting in a first version of the three subscales that comprised the test battery. The initial versions were tested on a sample of 566 persons with intellectual disabilities from two regions of Peru: Lima (Coast) and San Martín (Jungle). The internal structure was analyzed under a factor analysis approach, along with internal consistency measures of reliability. Further analyses of invariance regarding gender, region, and age were carried out. ResultsThree observer subscales were proposed: Daily living activities (11 items), Instrumental skills (4 items), and Communication (9 items). All subscales showed excellent psychometric properties denoted by the Aiken's V coefficient, Krippendorff's alpha, factor analysis, internal consistency analysis, and invariance analyses. ConclusionThe developed a new Adaptive Behavior Test Battery is a useful tool for the measurement of adaptive behavior and the monitoring of social and labor inclusion programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

A validation study of the Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS-15) in India

Purpose This study aims to validate the Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS) created by Amanze and Carson (2019) for the Indian population. Design/methodology/approach The data for the validation of the BFS was collected (Total N = 813) in two phases (Phase-I, N1 = 613 and Phase-II, N2 = 200) through online surveys. SPSS 26 and AMOS were used to establish the psychometric properties of the scale through internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis. Findings The results indicated the validation of the BFS in the Indian context, with a high internal consistency (a = 0.847). Confirmatory factor analysis validated the factor structure and items, along with face validity. Research limitations/implications This study offers comprehensive suggestions on the approaches to forgiveness, addresses biases, advocates for qualitative exploration and emphasizes rigour for the future research on forgiveness. Originality/value The present study validates the BFS for future use for the Indian population. The authors offer comprehensive suggestions on the approaches to forgiveness, address biases, advocate for qualitative exploration and emphasize rigour for future research on forgiveness.

TURKISH RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF POSTURAL AWARENESS SCALE IN OFFICE WORKERS

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform the Turkish cross-cultural adaptation of the Postural Awareness Scale and test its reliability and validity on office workers. Methods: The study was conducted at Bitlis Eren University, and 180 office workers were included in the study. The average age of the participants was 39.05±8.44, and 74.4% were male. As a first step, forward and backward translations of the scale were performed. Then, the final version of the scale was developed and introduced to all the participants by face-to-face interviews. The internal consistency and construct validity of the scale was assessed with internal consistency analysis, explanatory and confirmatory analyses. Results: The Turkish version of the Postural Awareness Scale, consisting of eleven items, had satisfactory reliability (total α score = .854, factor 1 score = .886, factor 2 score = .777). The reliability of the scale was confirmed by the test-retest analysis performed with a two-week interval as well (r = .831). In explanatory factor analysis, twelfth item was loaded on both factors. In confirmatory factor analysis, factor load of the 12th item was low (0.21). For these reasons, the 12th item was removed from the scale. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the Postural Awareness Scale, consisting of eleven items, is a reliable and valid scale for the assessment of postural awareness in office workers.

Psychometric Properties and Concurrent Validity of a 10-Item Questionnaire for Patients With Vestibular Disorders.

This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties and concurrent validity of the Haukeland Dizziness Questionnaire (HDQ-10), a 10-item questionnaire designed for simplified assessment of symptom severity and emotional effects in patients with vestibular disorders. Cross-sectional study. Secondary referral hospital. Out of 238 consecutive patients examined for suspected vestibular disease at an otolaryngology clinic, 201 completed the questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the HDQ-10 were examined by exploratory factor analysis and analysis of internal consistency. Concurrent validity was determined in comparison with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Vertigo Symptom Scale-Short Form (VSS-SF), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The factor analysis revealed 3 subscales of the questionnaire covering "function,""unsteadiness," and "emotion."The examination of the total scale (α = .866) and its subscales indicated satisfactory psychometric properties. The HDQ-10 correlated highly with both DHI (r = .732. P < .001) and VSS-SF (r = .720. P < .001) indicating good concurrent validity. The HDQ-10 is a 10-item questionnaire designed for simplified assessment of symptom severity and emotional effects in patients with vestibular disorders. It has satisfactory psychometric properties and good concurrent validity compared to existing dizziness questionnaires.

Brazilian Version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale for Individuals with Severe Obesity.

Adapting and validating the Portuguese version of Br-YFAS 2.0-Obes to allow it to be used by the Brazilian candidates for bariatric surgery. This study included 329 individuals with body mass indexes (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m2, candidates for bariatric surgery at a reference hospital in Brazil. They were given a questionnaire that identified sociodemographic data, and the YFAS 2.0 scale, Portuguese version (BR-YFAS2.0-Obes), was applied to assess their food dependence levels. The Food Craving Questionnaire - Trait: The FCQ-T-reduced was subsequently used for a correlation analysis. The patients' average BMI was 41.6 ± 8.8kg/m2. Br-YFAS2.0-Obes presented an average of 4.9 ± 3.1 for the FA diagnostic criteria. The resulting values of the Comparative Fit Index, Tucker Lewis Index, and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual were 0.990, 0.986, and 0.074, respectively. The internal consistency analysis of the 11 domains presented a Kuder-Richardson α of 0.82. The convergent validity, obtained through an analysis of the Pearson correlation coefficient, was r = 0.43 (p < 0.001). It was found that an increase in the number of Br-YFAS 2.0-Obes symptoms is associated with an increase in the FCQ-T-r mean. Much like the YFAS 2.0 in other languages, the BR-YFAS 2.0-Obes presented adequate convergent validity, reliability, and one-factor structure results, which makes it suitable for Brazilian candidates for bariatric surgery or any individual who is within BMI > = 30kg/m2.

Psychometric properties of the GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7): a cross-sectional study of the Peruvian general population

BackgroundAnxiety disorders are among the main mental health problems worldwide and are considered one of the most disabling conditions. Therefore, it is essential to have measurement tools that can be used to screen for anxiety symptoms in the general population and thus identify potential cases of people with anxiety symptoms and provide them with timely care. Our aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) in the Peruvian population.MethodOur study was a cross-sectional study. The sample included people aged 12 to 65 years in Peru. Confirmatory factor analysis, analysis of measurement invariance, convergent validity with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and internal consistency analysis were performed.ResultsIn total, 4431 participants were included. The one-factor model showed the best fit (CFI = 0.994; TLI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.068; WRMR = 1.567). The GAD-7 score showed measurement invariance between men and women and between age groups (adults vs. adolescents) (ΔCFI < 0.01). The internal consistency of the one-factor model was satisfactory (ω = 0.90, α = 0.93). The relationship between depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7) presented a moderate correlation (r = 0.77).ConclusionsOur study concluded that the GAD-7 score shows evidence of validity and reliability for the one-factor model. Furthermore, because the GAD-7 score is invariant, comparisons can be made between groups (i.e., by sex and age group). Finally, we recommend the use of the GAD-7 for the general population in the Peruvian context.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Quick Delay Questionnaire (C-QDQ) and ecological characteristics of reward-delay impulsivity of adults with ADHD

BackgroundThe Quick Delay Questionnaire (QDQ) is a short questionnaire designed to assess delay-related difficulties in adults. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the QDQ (C-QDQ) in Chinese adults, and explore the ecological characteristics of delay-related impulsivity in Chinese adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsData was collected from 302 adults, including ADHD (n = 209) and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 93). All participants completed the C-QDQ. The convergent validity, internal consistency, retest reliability and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the C-QDQ were analyzed. The correlations between C-QDQ and two laboratory measures of delay-related difficulties and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11), the comparison of C-QDQ scores between ADHD subgroups and HCs were also analyzed.ResultsThe Cronbach’s α of C-QDQ was between 0.83 and 0.89. The intraclass correlation coefficient of C-QDQ was between 0.80 and 0.83. The results of CFA of C-QDQ favoured the original two-factor model (delay aversion and delay discounting). Significant positive associations were found between C-QDQ scores and BIS-11 total score and performance on the laboratory measure of delay-related difficulties. Participants with ADHD had higher C-QDQ scores than HCs, and female ADHD reported higher scores on delay discounting subscale than male. ADHD-combined type (ADHD-C) reported higher scores on delay aversion subscale than ADHD-inattention type (ADHD-I).ConclusionThe C-QDQ is a valid and reliable tool to measure delay-related responses that appears to have clinical utility. It can present the delay-related impulsivity of patients with ADHD. Compared to HCs, the level of reward-delay impulsivity was higher in ADHD.

Adaptation and validation of the Turkish version of the alarm fatigue assessment questionnaire

ObjectiveAlarm fatigue may endanger the safety of patients by negatively affecting nurses' concentration and ability to provide effective care. Identifying alarm fatigue and taking appropriate measures are critical in preventing medical errors and for nurses to work with high motivation. This study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the 23-item Alarm Fatigue Assessment Questionnaire (AFAQ). MethodThe study was conducted between February 2022 and April 2022 and included nurses with at least one year of clinical or intensive care experience. The data were collected via a web-based questionnaire. During the adaptation of AFAQ, language, content, and construct validity were evaluated; reliability was examined by internal consistency analysis. ResultsThe item and scale content validity index of AFAQ were found to be high (>0.80). The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure of sampling adequacy indicated an adequate sampling (0.85); Bartlett's test of sphericity χ2 was 1935.074, p<0.001. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) showed that the 21-item scale had a five-factor structure, explaining 51.606% of the total variance, and the factor loadings of the items were >0.30 (0.422−0.803). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the five-factor model had a good fit index (χ2/df=1.855, SRMR=0.039, RMSEA=0.048, CFI=0.915, and TLI=0.908) and appropriate factor loadings (>0.30). The internal consistency of AFAQ (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) was 0.85, and the corrected item-total correlations were between 0.32−0.55. ConclusionThe results indicated that the Turkish version of the Alarm Fatigue Assessment Questionnaire was sufficiently valid and reliable to measure alarm fatigue in nurses.

Confirmatory validation of the patient health questionnaire - 4 (PHQ-4) for gastrointestinal disorders: A large-scale cross-sectional survey

ObjectiveUsing the large Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Survey dataset, the aim of this study was to evaluate the construct and convergent validity and internal consistency of the PHQ-4 across both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal condition cohorts. Another aim was to provide descriptive information about the PHQ-4 including means, confidence intervals and percentage of caseness using a large representative sample. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 26 countries. Confirmatory factor and internal consistency analyses were conducted across subsamples of patients with gastrointestinal conditions (i.e., disorders of gut-brain interaction [DGBI; any DGBI, individual DGBI, and DGBI region], gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coeliac disease, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer) and those without a gastrointestinal condition. Convergent validity was also assessed via a series of Pearson's correlation coefficients with PROMIS (physical and mental quality of life), and PHQ-12 (somatisation). ResultsBased on 54,127 participants (50.9% male; mean age 44.34 years) confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable to excellent model fits for the PHQ-4 across all subsamples and individual DGBI and DGBI region (Comparative Fit Index >0.950, Tucker-Lewis Index >0.950, Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation <0.05, and Standardised Root Mean Square Residual <0.05). The PHQ-4 was found to demonstrate convergent validity (Pearson's correlation coefficients >±0.4), and good internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.75). ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that the PHQ-4 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mental health symptomology in both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal cohorts.

The Reliability, Validity and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Turkish Version of Jefferson Scale of Empathy for Health Professions Students

Objective: The study is aimed to study for the reliability, validity, and cross-cultural adaptation of the Turkish version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy for undergraduate health profession students (JSE-HPS).&#x0D; Methods: Cultural adaptation of JSE-HPS was carried out in 5 stages according to the protocol of Beaton et al.JSE-HPS was administered to students who educated in the departments of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Nursing and Health Management. The reliability of JSE-HPS was evaluated by internal consistency and test-retest analysis using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Criterion validity assessed by comparing the scores of JSE-HPS and Emphatic Tendency Scale (ETS). An analysis of construct validity was carried out by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.&#x0D; Results: The exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of three factors that explain 44.68% of the total variance and that correspond to the dimensions of the original scale. Following factor structures were obtained as “Perspective taking”, “Compassionate care” and “Standing in patient's shoes”. Turkish version of JSE-HPS total score were significantly correlated with the ETS total score (r=0.187, p=.005). The Cronbach’s Alpha internal consistency coefficient was found α = .793. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.86. The confirmatory factor analysis verified a good fit of the model (χ2/df = 1.776).&#x0D; Conclusion: The Turkish version of JSE-HPS is a valid and reliable scale for evaluating empathy levels of undergraduate health professions students.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire

Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux is a disease that is common in society and affects quality of life. The aim of the present study was to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life scale.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 161 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who applied to the gastroenterology outpatient department of a university hospital between July 2017 – October 2017 constituted the sample of this study. The study was a methodological and descriptive study. In the validity and reliability studies, the language validity, content validity, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient) and confirmatory factor analysis methods were used.&#x0D; Results: The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life scale was α = 0.885, while its content validity ranged between 0.84-0.92. According to confirmatory factor analysis, the 4-factor structure of the scale, consisting of 16 items, generally had good fit.&#x0D; Conclusion: The Turkish version of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life scale was found to be a valid and reliable scale that can be used to measure the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Development and validation of the perceived symptom manageability scale among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus

Background“Perceived Symptom Manageability (PSM)” is essential in symptom management among people living with HIV. As a standardized assessment instrument was lacking, we developed a PSM scale for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PSM-HIV).MethodsData analysis was performed using the sample from HIV-designated medical institutions (N = 540). Psychometric testing, namely reliability and validity, is assessed by unidimensionality, internal consistency, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.ResultsThe final version of the PSM- HIV scale contained 15 items. This scale was submitted to a principal components analysis with varimax rotation, and three factors were obtained, explained by a total variance of 63.10%. The three factors were named Cognitive-Behavioral, Affective Interaction, and Self-Attitude. The results show that the scale had high reliability, Cronbach’s α of the scale ranged from 0.71 to 0.92, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.88. The structural equation model supports a factor model with the acceptable fit (χ2/df (CMIN/DF) = 2.50, Root Mean square Residual (RMR) = 0.03, Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) = 0.93, Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI) = 0.90, Normed Fit Index (NFI) = 0.93, Incremental Fit Index (IFI) = 0.96, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.96). The average variance extracted was 0.38 ∼ 0.59, and the composite reliability was 0.70 ∼ 0.91, indicating that the convergent validity of the scale is acceptable. Subjects with different stages of the disease reached significance(χ2 = 9.02; df = 2, P<0.05), meaning moderate Known-Groups Comparison Validation.ConclusionsThe PSM-HIV scale is a valid instrument that measures overall attitude and belief about controlling or coping with HIV-relevant symptoms.

The validity of the Physical Literacy in Children Questionnaire in children aged 4 to 12

BackgroundGiven the growing evidence on the health benefits associated with physical literacy (PL), it is necessary to develop sound measures to assess the levels of PL in children. The Physical Literacy in Children Questionnaire (PL-C Quest) is the first self-report pictorial-based scale to assess children’s perceived PL. It has good validity and reliability in Australian children aged 7 to 12 years, but little is known in younger children and in other cultural contexts. The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability in an expanded age range.MethodsA total of 1,870 Chinese children (girls, n = 871; 46.6%), aged 4 to 12 years (M = 8.07 ± 2.42) participated in validity testing. Structural equation modeling with the Weighted Least Squares with Mean and Variance approach was used to assess construct validity. The hypothesized theoretical model used the 30 items and four hypothesized factors: physical, psychological, social and cognitive capabilities. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess sex and age group (4–6 years, 7–9 years and 10–12 years) measurement invariance. Internal consistency analyses were conducted using polychoric alpha. A random subsample (n = 262) was selected to determine test–retest reliability using Intra-Class Correlations (ICC).ResultsAll items except one (moving with equipment–skateboarding) loaded on sub-domains with λ > 0.45. The hypothesized model had a good fit (CFI = 0.954, TLI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.042), with measurement equivalence across sex and age groups separately. Internal consistency values were good to excellent (overall: α = 0.94; physical: α = 0.86; psychological: α = 0.83; social: α = 0.81; cognitive: α = 0.86). Test–retest reliability was adequate to excellent (overall: ICC = 0.90, physical: ICC = 0.86, psychological: ICC = 0.75, social: ICC = 0.71, cognitive: ICC = 0.72).ConclusionThe Chinese version of the PL-C Quest is valid and reliable for testing the self-reported PL of Chinese children aged 4 to 12. This study provides the first evidence of validity for this tool in children aged 4–6 years and also evidence that the PL-C Quest would be a meaningful instrument to assess PL in Chinese children.

Factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Caregiver strain questionnaire in Latinx families.

Caregiver strain or stress directly related to caring for a youth with emotional and/or behavioral problems may be an important and understudied cultural factor associated with mental health disparities among Latinx families. Caregiver strain is a highly relevant construct for research questions focused on the identification of youth's mental health needs, family-level impacts of youth mental health problems, and utilization of youth mental health services. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of research on measures of caregiver strain and the psychometric properties of existing measures in Latinx samples. This study examined the structural and construct validity of the English version of the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CGSQ) with a sample of United States-based Latinx caregivers of youths ages 6-18 (N = 598). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original three-factor model of caregiver strain was evidenced in this sample. Internal consistency analyses and a poor factor loading led to the elimination of one item. The factor structure held after item removal. Significant associations between each dimension of caregiver strain with youth internalizing/externalizing symptom severity and utilization of youth mental health services provided evidence of construct validity (i.e., psychological counseling, telepsychology, parenting classes). Results provide important evidence of the psychometric properties of the English CGSQ in a Latinx sample and support its use in future research aimed at unpacking mental health disparities among Latinx youth and families. Researchers should translate and validate the CGSQ in Spanish to increase the utility of this measure for research with Latinx families.

Totally All Alone with My Thoughts: Development, Psychometric Properties and Correlates of the Loneliness Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire.

The current article introduces the Loneliness Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (LATQ) and describes research evaluating its psychometric properties and correlates. Two separate samples of university student participants (Study 1; N = 282, Study 2; N = 289) were administered the LATQ along with a battery of other measures. Whereas Study 1 involved a preliminary investigation of the psychometric properties of the LATQ, Study 2 provided an opportunity to further expand on this aim by assessing the concurrent validity of the measure across studies. Overall, psychometric analyses confirmed that the LATQ items are measured with an adequate degree of internal consistency and confirmatory factor analyses established that the nine items loaded significantly on one replicable factor. Concurrent validity was established in terms of links with other loneliness measures and a measure of persistent and intrusive negative thoughts. Furthermore, LATQ scores were associated with anti-mattering, social hopelessness, anxiety, depression, and unbearable psychache. Moreover, regression analyses established that the LATQ predicted significant unique variance in depression and psychache beyond the variance attributable to measures of loneliness and adaptability to loneliness. Collectively, results indicate that loneliness-related automatic thoughts represent a unique and important element of the loneliness construct. Future research applications and additional psychometric issues to address in future research are discussed and a need for a greater focus on the cognitive aspects of loneliness is explored.