Total Score Correlations Research Articles

Reliability, validity and factorial dimensions of the Interactive Observation Scale for Psychiatric Inpatients.

The Interactive Observation Scale for Psychiatric Inpatients (IOSPI) is characterized by the necessity of interaction between the rater and the patient during the evaluation process. The reliability, validity and factor structure of the IOSPI were evaluated by using a total of 186 sets of ratings accomplished by 2 nursing aides on 34 adult psychiatric inpatients submitted to weekly evaluations during the 3 first weeks of hospitalization. The patients were observed by the 2 nursing aides simultaneously during the morning shift (5 h). In the afternoon of the same day, they were interviewed by two psychiatrists who filled in separately the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Factor analysis of the 16 IOSPI items revealed 5 distinct clusters of items, which represented higher-order constructs of social interest, psychomotor agitation, psychoticism, neatness and irritability. It was found that the IOSPI has significant interrater reliability, estimated by an intraclass correlation coefficient of total score and factor score. The total scores of the IOSPI showed a significant correlation with the total scores of the BPRS, meeting the criteria of concurrent validity. The criteria of predictive validity were also met, since the patients who could be discharged presented IOSPI scores significantly lower than the patients who could not be discharged. In conclusion, the IOSPI met the requirements of an evaluation scale and can stimulate therapeutic attitudes of the nursing staff by its characteristics of interactive observation.

The clinician-administered rating scale for mania (CARS-M): Development, reliability, and validity

There are currently seven rating scales available to assess manic symptomatology. All, however, have some limitations that could restrict their clinical and research utility. To resolve these deficiencies the Clinician-Administered Rating Scale for Mania (CARS-M) was developed and normed on 96 patients with mixed diagnoses during baseline and following treatment. Interrater reliability was established across multiple raters viewing 14 videotaped interviews and comparing agreement among individual items and total scores. Test-retest reliability was assessed on 36 patients twice during baseline. The mean intraclass correlation coefficient among five raters across items for each of the 14 patients was 0.81, and for total scores 0.93. Principal components analysis of items revealed two factors: mania, and psychosis. Test-retest reliability was significant for both factors (range = 0.78 to 0.95). Internal validity, comparing each item with its respective total factor score, revealed significant correlations for all items. Correlation of CARS-M total scores with mania rating scale (MRS) total scores was 0.94. Results indicate the CARS-M is both a reliable and valid measure of the severity of manic symptomotology, which incorporates a number of methodological improvements leading to greater precision and clinical utility.

Sensitivity of Sickness Impact Profile Items to Measure Change Over Time in a Low-back Pain Patient Group

The purpose of this study was to identify Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) items that are most sensitive to change in patients with low-back pain. Seventy-six patients with low-back pain were administered the SIP at their initial visit and after discharge from physiotherapy treatment. A formal item reduction was performed to identify the most sensitive items. An item was considered sensitive if it showed change in 20% of the patients and had an item-corrected total SIP score correlation greater than 0.30. Twenty items were identified. Seven of the 20 items identified in this study appear on the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire. Also, only 50% of the items identified are from the physical subscale of the SIP.

The Inventory of Functional Status-Fathers. Development and psychometric testing.

The Inventory of Functional Status-Fathers (IFS-F) was developed to measure the extent to which men continue or increase their usual household, social and community, childcare, personal care, occupational, and educational activities, and assume infant care responsibilities during their partners' pregnancies and the postpartum period. Content validity was established at 86%. Reliability testing used a sample of 125 expectant fathers and 57 new fathers. Internal consistency reliability using average correlations for the subscale item to subscale total scores ranged from .54 to .75. Subscale to total IFS-F score correlations ranged from .31 to .61. Initial construct validity testing was accomplished by examination of subscale correlations, which ranged from -.02 to .69. The IFS-F may be used to assess the functional status of men during the childbearing period for clinical and research purposes.

Efficacy and toxicity of differently charged polycationic protamine-like peptides for heparin anticoagulation reversal.

The role of total cationic charge of synthetic protamine-like peptides in heparin anticoagulation reversal and accompanying adverse hemodynamic effects was studied. Five protamine variants having specific total charges of [+8], [+16], [+18], [+20], and [+21] were synthesized by fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl procedures. Each of these lysine-containing peptides plus arginine-containing control salmine native protamine (n-protamine, [+21] charge) was studied in five dogs who received heparin 150 IU/kg intravenously followed by 1.5 mg/kg (intravenously during a 10-second period) of the synthesized peptide or control n-protamine. Anticoagulation reversal as assessed by a number of coagulation tests was more effective with peptides of greater cationic charge. In this regard, activated clotting time reversal 3 minutes after peptide administration was 7%, [+8]; 54%, [+16]; 81%, [+18]; 92%, [+20]; 81%, [+21]; and greater than 100% [n-protamine]. Reversal of heparin anticoagulation at 3 and 30 minutes, respectively, correlated significantly (*p < or = 0.05, p < or = 0.01 [see corresponding symbols within abstract]) with total cationic charge as assessed by activated clotting time (r = 0.97, 0.99 ), prothrombin time (r = 0.98, 0.87*), activated partial thromboplastin time (r = 0.99, 0.78), thrombin clotting time (r = 0.84,* 0.85*), heparin anti-Xa activity (r = 0.87,* 0.85*), and heparin anti-IIa activity (r = 0.79 at 3 minutes, p = 0.06). Maximum declines in systemic mean arterial pressure (MAP) were greater with more positively charged peptides: -1 mm Hg, [+8]; -3 mm Hg, [+16]; -31 mm Hg; [+18]; -31 mm Hg, [+20]; -35 mm Hg, [+21]; and -34 mm Hg [n-protamine]. Maximum decreases in MAP, cardiac output, and systemic oxygen consumption were highly correlated (p < or = 0.05) with total cationic charge: MAP, r = 0.87; cardiac output, r = 0.87; and systemic oxygen consumption, r = 0.86. A total toxicity score, reflecting adverse hemodynamic effects, was greater with increasing charge: -1.9 +/- 1.1, [+8]; -2.7 +/- 0.8, [+16]; -6.6 +/- 3.3, [+18]; -6.1 +/- 3.5, [+20]; -6.9 +/- 3.8, [+21]; and -7.0 +/- 5.2 [n-protamine]. The correlation of mean peptide total toxicity score to total cationic charge was significant (r = 0.89, p < 0.05). These data suggest for the first time that effective alternatives to salmine protamine for reversal of heparin anticoagulation can be synthesized. Furthermore, total cationic charge appears to be an important determinant for both anticoagulation reversal and toxicity of protamine-like peptides.

A Comparison of Faculty, Peer, and Self-Evaluation of Applied Brass Jury Performances

Authorities agree that peer evaluation and self-evaluation can help improve teaching performance. Evaluation of applied music skills, however, remains heavily teacher-centered. In this investigation, I explored the efficacy of peer and self-evaluation of applied brass jury performances. In three episodes at two locations, university faculty members evaluated live brass jury performances using an author-constructed Brass Performance Rating Scale (BPRS). Also using the BPRS, students rated these same performances (one of which was theirs) on videotape. To control for adjudicators' prior knowledge of performers, a fourth panel of adjudicators unfamiliar with the performers evaluated one episodes performances. Interjudge reliability for faculty and peer evaluation panels generally was high, with total score correlations ranging from .83 to .89 ( p &lt; .01). Correlations among faculty and peer-group evaluations also were high, with total score r ranging from .86 to .91 ( p &lt; .01). Consonant with prior investigations, self-evaluation generally correlated poorly with faculty and peer evaluation. The effect of videotape seemed minimal; scoring discrepancies between live and videotaped performances were low. In this investigation, prior knowledge of performers did not seem to affect evaluations.

Reliability and Validity of Behavior Problem Checklists as Measures of Stable Traits in Low Birth Weight, Premature Preschoolers

Mothers, teachers, and assistant teachers completed the Richman Behavior Checklist (BCL) at ages 2 and 3 years and the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 2-3 (CBCL 2-3) at 3 years for a large sample of low birth weight, premature children. Interinstrument correlations for total scores were moderate, higher for teachers and assistant teachers than for mothers, with moderate temporal stability for BCL scores. Interrater agreement for either total scores or classifications of clinically significant scores was moderately high between teachers and assistant teachers only, and children identified as disturbed by mothers versus teachers represent almost nonoverlapping groups. Furthermore, many more children were identified as disturbed using the BCL. The most powerful predictors of mothers' total CBCL 2-3 scores were HOME Inventory scores and self-reported depression. The use of these scales in clinical and research contexts is discussed.

Observer Agreement for Respiratory Signs and Oximetry in Infants Hospitalized with Lower Respiratory Infections

To determine observer agreement for a clinical score and oximetry in lower respiratory infection in children less than 2 yr of age, a convenience sample of 56 infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis or pneumonia was assessed independently by two observers. A total of 12 infants had chronic lung disease of prematurity or congenital heart disease. Infants in whom oxygen supplementation could not be discontinued for at least 5 min were excluded. A severity score was assigned for each of four categories (respiratory rate, retractions, wheeze, and general appearance). A total for each patient was obtained by summing the score for each category. Oxygen saturation was measured using a Nellcor oximeter. Agreement beyond chance was measured using the kappa statistic. The relationship between observers for total score and oximetry and the mean total score and mean oximetry value for each patient was expressed as a Pearson correlation coefficient. A total of 56 infants and children were studied: 2 had pneumonia, 11 had an exacerbation of pulmonary signs and symptoms with their underlying cardiac or pulmonary disease, and 43 had bronchiolitis. Kappa was 0.48 for general assessment, 0.38 for respiratory rate, 0.31 for wheeze, and 0.25 for retractions. All values were statistically significantly greater than 0 at p less than 0.01. Correlations for total score and for oximetry were 0.68 and 0.88, respectively. The median difference between oximetry readings was 1. The correlation coefficient between total score and oximetry was -0.04. The limited agreement for clinical signs makes comparison of patient illness severity between studies difficult.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of the inventory of functional status-cancer

The purpose of this article is to report the development and psychometric testing of the Inventory of Functional Status-Cancer (IFS-CA). The IFS-CA was developed to measure functional status in women with cancer. The questionnaire includes four subscales measuring the extent to which the woman continues her usual household and family, social and community, personal care, and occupational activities. Content validity was established at 98.5%. Internal consistency reliability testing used a sample of 100 women receiving treatment for cancer. Internal consistency reliability using average correlations for the subscale item to subscale total scores ranged from 0.56 to 0.82. Subscale to total IFS-CA score correlations ranged from 0.73 to 0.92. Test-retest reliability used a sample of 17 women who had completed treatment for cancer. The coefficients ranged from 0.43 to 0.96 for the four subscales. Initial construct validity testing was accomplished by examination of subscale correlations and by comparing the functional status of women in active treatment for cancer with those who had completed treatment. The study's findings reveal content validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and beginning construct validity; thus, they demonstrate strong evidence for further development and testing of the IFS-CA's construct validity.

Development of the inventory of functional status-cancer

The purpose of this article is to report the development and psychometric testing of the Inventory of Functional Status-Cancer (IFS-CA). The IFS-CA was developed to measure functional status in women with cancer. The questionnaire includes four subscales measuring the extent to which the woman continues her usual household and family, social and community, personal care, and occupational activities. Content validity was established at 98.5%. Internal consistency reliability testing used a sample of 100 women receiving treatment for cancer. Internal consistency reliability using average correlations for the subscale item to subscale total scores ranged from 0.56 to 0.82. Subscale to total IFS-CA score correlations ranged from 0.73 to 0.92. Test-retest reliability used a sample of 17 women who had completed treatment for cancer. The coefficients ranged from 0.43 to 0.96 for the four subscales. Initial construct validity testing was accomplished by examination of subscale correlations and by comparing the functional status of women in active treatment for cancer with those who had completed treatment. The study's findings reveal content validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and beginning construct validity; thus, they demonstrate strong evidence for further development and testing of the IFS-CA's construct validity.

The inventory of functional status—Antepartum period: Development and testing

The Inventory of Functional Status—Antepartum Period (IFSAP) includes six subscales measuring the extent to which a pregnant woman continues her usual household, social and community, childcare, personal care, occupational, and educational activities. Content validity was established at 94.4%. Reliability testing used a sample of 192 pregnant women. Internal consistency reliability using average correlations for the subscale item to subscale total scores ranged from .57 to .87. Subscale to total IFSAP score correlations ranged from .53 to .90. Test-retest reliability used a subsample of 21 pregnant women. The coefficients ranged from .27 to .93. Initial construct validity testing was accomplished by examination of subscale correlations, by comparing IFSAP scores for pregnant women who had no children with those who had children, and by comparing women who had complications and/or restrictions with women who experienced no complications or restrictions. The IFSAP may be used in research and clinical practice to assess functional status during pregnancy.

Rehabilitation status — the relationship between the Edinburgh Rehabilitation Status Scale (ERSS), Barthel Index, and PULSES profile

A total of 364 patients attending day centres for the physically disabled had ERSS and Barthel scores recorded during the course of assessment. In addition, 100 of the patients had PULSES profile scores recorded. Correlation of total scores for all three scales confirmed that all three succeeded in measuring disability and all three were significantly related. There were, however, weak correlations between some of the individual subscales of each score, indicating that each of the assessment tools was measuring some dimensions of disability not adequately considered by the other scales. The results suggest that while progress is being made towards better measurement of disability and handicap, further refinement of these particular measurement tools is required.

Development of the inventory of functional status after childbirth

The Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth (IFSAC) contains five subscales designed to measure the mother's readiness to assume infant care and to resume selfcare, household, social and community, and occupational activities following childbirth. Content validity was established at 96.7%. Cronbach's alpha internal consistency reliability coefficients ranged from 0.56–0.98 for the five subscales. Average correlations for the subscale item to subscale total scores ranged from 0.51–0.78. Subscale to total IFSAC score correlations ranged from 0.53–0.90. Test-retest reliability coefficients for a 4–7 day interval ranged from 0.48–0.93. Initial construct validity testing was accomplished by comparing recovery rates for vaginally and cesarean delivered women. The multidimensionality of the concept of functional status after childbirth was supported empirically, with the magnitude of IFSAC subscale correlations ranging from 0.01–0.53. Further psychometric testing of the IFSAC with large samples of childbearing women is warranted. Clinicians may use the IFSAC to assess functional status following childbirth.

Relationships between scores on Stanford-Binet IV and scores on McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities

A kindergarten class of 10 boys and 11 girls took the 1986 Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (4th ed.) and the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities. The correlation of total scores was statistically significant (p<001).

Knowledge profile and control in diabetic patients.

Knowledge about diabetes was assessed using a previously described interactive computer-based questionnaire in 79 patients with insulin-dependent (IDDM) and 72 with non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) diabetes mellitus routinely attending a single diabetic clinic. Simple linear correlation of total knowledge score with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) showed no significant relationship for either IDDM (r = 0.12: p = 0.18) or NIDDM (r = 0.15: p = 0.1). However, quintile grouping of knowledge scores showed the mean HbA1c to be significantly higher in the lowest scoring NIDDM quintile (10.6 +/- 0.5: +/- SE) with respect to the pooled mean of all the higher scoring quintiles (9.0 +/- 0.3) (p = 0.027). Mean HbA1c (9.6 +/- 0.5) was also higher in the least knowledgeable IDDM quintile than any other quintile group (range 8.8-9.0) but this was not significant with respect to the pooled mean of higher scoring patients (p greater than 0.1). The mean age of the lowest scoring IDDM quintile group (60.5 +/- 13.9 years) was significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than higher scoring IDDM groups (mean age range 36.5-43.3 years) but age was not significantly related to HbA1c in IDDM subjects. IDDM showed greater knowledge of diabetes than NIDDM but ignorance in key areas was unacceptably high in both diabetic subtypes, indicating that regular knowledge assessment and educational reinforcement may be essential for good diabetic control as well as patient safety, particularly in older IDDM patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relationships between scores on Stanford-Binet IV and Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence

A kindergarten class of 9 boys and 11 girls took the 1986 Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (Fourth Edition) and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence. Of 6 correlations of total scores and subtest pairs, only the correlation of total scores was statistically significant (p<.01).

The Use of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal to Predict Success in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program

No nationally available objective instrument is currently recognized as predictive of successful nursing program completion. Such a measure, available prior to program entry, might guide admissions procedures and be used to counsel applicants. This longitudinal descriptive-correlational study investigated the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as a potential predictor of success as measured by a passing score on the NCLEX examination for nurse registration. From a southern Arizona population of 177 baccalaureate nursing students who graduated between December 1982 and May 1984, 145 graduates comprised the volunteer sample. These participants completed the Watson-Glaser Appraisal during their first week as upper-division nursing students, consented to participation in the study, and permitted reporting of NCLEX scores for use in statistical analyses. Fifty-three participants from this group repeated the Watson-Glaser Appraisal in the final month prior to graduation. Pearson Correlation for first semester total Watson-Glaser score and NCLEX score was .31 (p = .002). There was no significant change in total Watson-Glaser scores between first and last semesters as demonstrated by t-test. Multiple Regression analysis demonstrated that first semester Watson-Glaser scores and Entry GPAs together accounted for 15% of the variance in NCLEX scores (p = .001). Continuing data collection and analysis will expand the study population with 42 current graduates. Findings suggest that this instrument is not a valid measure of specific cognitive processes underlying the Nursing Process. Findings support the usefulness of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as a potential pre-admission predictor of nursing success.

Developing a Role Activity Performance Scale.

This article describes the Role Activity Performance Scale (RAPS) and presents data from a study of its reliability and validity. The RAPS evaluates an individual's functional level, using 12 subscales that represent a range of life roles. It was developed as an instrument for evaluating the impact of occupational therapy and other treatment modalities on the functioning of psychiatric patients. It is also useful in the diagnostic, treatment, and discharge planning processes. Validity and interrater reliability testing involved a sample of 30 patients in two major diagnostic groups. Interrater correlations for subscales and total scores were above .80 and statistically significant. A comparison of the RAPS with other accepted psychosocial rating scales showed strong correlations in scores. The psychometric evidence from this preliminary study supports the continued development and use of the RAPS for both clinical and research purposes.

The influence of physical, psychosocial, and sociocultural supplies on mental health and life satisfaction: A test of Caplan's supply model

The Supplies Inventory was constructed to test Caplan's (1964) hypothesis that mental health/disorder was related to access to physical, psychosocial and sociocultural supplies. Each of the three Inventory Scales was shown to have appropriate test-retest reliability over a two week interval, appropriate average item to total scale score correlations, and high internal consistency reliability. The hypothesis tested was confirmed; on each supply scale the low access group reported significantly less life satisfaction and significantly more psychological distress than the high access group. The differences in psychological distress between high and low access groups were significant both statistically and clinically. Discussion focused on use of the Inventory of Supplies in primary prevention in Mental Health.

Use of the Hamilton rating scale for depression and the Carroll self-rating scale in adolescents

The relationship of clinicians' ratings of depression in adolescents to self-rating is important to clinical research. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and the Carroll Self-Rating Scale (CSRS) were compared in a study of 81 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. The correlation of CSRS and HRSD total scores in adolescents with melancholic major depression was 0.46, lower than the correlation reported in adults (0.80). Higher correlations were seen in females and in nonmelancholic and nondepressed subgroups. While the comparison of the two rating methods suggests some characteristics of depressed adolescents' presentation of their illness, it does not appear that the self-rating instrument can be used as an alternative to clinicians' ratings.