Concurrent Criterion-related Validity Research Articles

Exploring Older Adults' Subjective Views on Aging Positively: Development and Validation of the Positive Aging Scale.

Historically, aging research has focused primarily on health deterioration and negative aspects associated with aging. This has limited the scope of our understanding of the experience of aging and the relationships between aging and well-being from an integrative biopsychosocial perspective. In the same vein, there is a lack of reliable and valid assessments of aging that capture the positive aspects that characterize and improve the subjective experience of this period of life, particularly one that focuses on psychosocial well-being, including meaningful experiences and activities, group memberships, and general abilities. This study presents the development and validation of the Positive Aging Scale (PAS), a novel self-report assessment. This was an online cross-sectional study conducted on 501 UK residents aged ≥60 years. A number of self-reported items and measures of positive aging, general health, well-being, and cognitive functioning were administered to the sample. We used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and assessed the dimensionality, reliability, and concurrent criterion-related validity of the PAS. The results suggested that a unidimensional solution represents the data well, with the positive aging factor adequately loading on 8 items, and the solution showing factorial invariance between young-old and old participants (i.e., ≥75 years). Total PAS scores positively correlate with general health, well-being, and cognitive functioning. The PAS demonstrated strong psychometric properties and the findings highlight correlations between the PAS and key outcomes of positive aging, including general health. Implications for research and interventions are discussed.

The Minimal Important Difference of Acoustic Voice Quality Index in the Treatment of Voice Disorders.

The acoustic voice quality index (AVQI) is a reliable tool that objectively assesses dysphonia levels using six acoustic parameters. Despite its high criterion-related concurrent validity, diagnostic accuracy, and minimal detectable change derived from test-retest reliability, the minimal important difference (MID) of the AVQI has not been tested before. This study aimed to estimate the MIDs of AVQI for improvement audibly perceived by clinicians and self-reported improvement by patients. A retrospective study was conducted on 110 patients who received treatment for voice disorders. Patients completed AVQI and Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) questionnaires before and after the therapy. The MIDs of the AVQI were estimated using the anchor of either auditory-perceptual judgment of total dysphonia levels by clinicians or the VHI-10 questionnaire by patients. A distribution-based approach was also used to complement the results. First, using the auditory-perceptual anchor, a decrease of 0.95 in the AVQI was estimated as the MID for clinicians' perception, as a result of the receiver operating curve. Then, using the patient-reported anchor, an improvement of 1.36 in the AVQI was estimated as the MID for patients' voice-related disability. The distribution-based approach also ensured the anchor-based results of both the MIDs. The AVQI is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating voice quality, and a 0.95 decrease in the AVQI represents a meaningful improvement for clinicians' perception, whereas a 1.36 decrease in the AVQI influences patients' self-reported disability. This study contributes to understanding the minimal change necessary for clinicians to make informed decisions and ensure patient satisfaction. 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2805-2811, 2024.

Establishing Reliability and Validity of an Online Placement Test in an Omani Higher Education Institution

Although placing students in the appropriate proficiency levels of post-secondary English programs is crucial for optimal learning, the evaluation of placement tests (PTs) in terms of establishing their reliability and validity is relatively under-researched. This study assesses the validity, reliability, and effectiveness of an in-house online PT. The content validity was established through the internal and external moderation of the question papers and answer keys while criterion-related concurrent validity was established via IELTS benchmarking. New Student Survey was used to investigate the face validity. The internal consistency and reliability of the reading test items were measured using Cronbach’s alpha while descriptive statistics were calculated for the listening test. Paired sample t-test (dependent t-test) was used to assess the inter-rater reliability of the speaking and writing tests which were double-marked. The data analysis revealed that the PT was effective in placing students at different levels of the foundation program (FP) and the statistical analyses conducted to test the reliability and validity showed positive results for most of the test versions. The study offers useful insights to test developers and policymakers regarding the authentication of in-house tests and the creation of guidelines for PT design and evaluation.

The brief case for everyday problems: a proposal of two brief alternate forms of the Everyday Problems Test.

Everyday Problems Test (EPT; Willis and Marsiske, Manual for the everyday problems test, Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, 1993) is an 84-item performance-based measure of older adults' everyday cognitive competencies in seven everyday domains (e.g., finance, reading prescription). Its length makes it disadvantageous in the typical time-constrained testing context. Due to the potential practice effects, it is also impractical for longitudinal and intervention studies which require repetitive testing. We have addressed these issues by adapting two brief forms of EPT, with 14 items each. The psychometric evaluation of these two versions was conducted on a sample of 157 cognitively healthy older adults. Both brief forms demonstrated good internal consistency, high inter-correlation, and have shown satisfactory concurrent criterion-related validity based on their correlations with socio-demographic and cognitive variables. Results indicate that the two proposed brief forms can be a valuable tool in assessing the everyday cognitive competence of healthy older adults either as a one-time screening instrument or as a pretest-posttest difference indicator of the intervention efficacy.

Developing an Item Bank of Computerized Adaptive Testing for Eating Disorders in Chinese University Students

We aimed to develop an item bank of computerized adaptive testing for eating disorders (CAT-ED) in Chinese university students to increase measurement precision and improve test efficiency. A total of 1,025 Chinese undergraduate respondents answered a series of questions about eating disorders in a paper-pencil test. A total of 133 items from four well-validated Chinese-version scales of eating disorders were used to construct the item bank of CAT-ED with the following analysis. First, unidimensionality, model fit, local independence, item fit, discrimination and differential item functioning (DIF) were tested. Then, two simulation studies were applied to test the CAT-ED’s effectivity and rationality by calculating concurrent criterion-related validity, sensitivity and specificity. The final item bank comprised 77 items, which met the requirements of local independence, item fit, high discrimination and no differential item functioning in CAT. The mean number of administered items in CAT with the stopping rule fixed at SE ≤ 0.3 was 11 items. The obtained results showed that CAT-ED had acceptable reliability, validity, sensitivity and specificity.

A Construct Validity Study for the Union Intolerance Scale: Convergent-Discriminant Validity and Concurrent Criterion-Related Validity

Stemming from union intolerance as a psychological construct, defined as sustained hatred by nonunion employees when unions are perceived to encourage intolerable vices in employees and, notably, in union employees, we sought to broaden the empirical basis to claim scale validity for the union intolerance scale. In doing so, we targeted two forms of construct validity: convergent-discriminant validity and concurrent criterion-related validity. Based on survey data drawn from a sample of American nonunion employees (N = 162), we found supportive correlational evidence for both forms. In reference to convergent validity, the scores yielded by the intolerance scale showed expected convergence with the scores yielded by measures of general intolerance of stigmatized groups and union reliance. In reference to discriminant validity, the scores yielded by the intolerance scale showed expected divergence with the scores yielded by a measure of self-reported negative social emotions linked to vices. As for concurrent validity, the scores yielded by the intolerance scale were associated with the scores yielded by a measure of support for the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (the PRO Act), a proposed labor law passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, in which employees indicated whether they will or will not urge their two State Senators to cast a vote in favor of the Act when it is brought to the floor of the U.S. Senate. Included are discussion points about why the scale can be suggested as valid and how scale validity can be extended.

An examination of the reliability and validity of the recovery capital questionnaire (RCQ)

Aims and BackgroundRecovery capital refers to the resources people can call upon to initiate and sustain alcohol and drug problem resolution. Measuring this phenomenon could help an individual better understand their strengths as well as gauge the impact of any interventions designed to improve recovery capital and / or reduce addiction severity. This study aimed to test the internal consistency, stability reliability, criterion-related concurrent validity and content validity of the Recovery Capital Questionnaire (RCQ). Setting and participantsParticipants (n = 173) accessing community based addiction treatment (n = 108) and residential treatment (n = 65) in England and Scotland completed the RCQ at two time-points one week apart (n = 102) to test stability reliability, and also completed the RCQ alongside measures of quality of life and resilience (n = 152). Content validity was assessed by seven subject matter experts with content validity ratio and index calculated. FindingsCronbach’s Alpha values (internal consistency) included: social α = 0.52 (0.40–62); physical α = 0.73 (0.66–0.78); human α = 0.85 (0.82–0.88); community α = 0.85 (0.82–0.88); RCQ Total α = 0.88 (0.85–90). RCQ stability reliability (r = 0.89) and ICC (0.88) were calculated. Content Validity Index statistic of 0.91 was calculated. Correlations between relevant domains within the RCQ and WHOQOL Bref were found to include: r = 0.44, 0.59, 0.66 and 0.40. Correlations between RCQ and CD-RISC scores were calculated (r = 0.65). ConclusionThe Recovery Capital Questionnaire was found to possess good overall internal consistency and stability reliability. Content validity was found to be strong and the RCQ demonstrated good concurrent validity with a measure of quality of life and a measure of resilience.

Validation of Spanish Erasmus-Modified Nottingham Sensory Assessment Stereognosis Scale in Acquired Brain Damage.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the third leading cause of death in Spain. The disability derived from ABI can include considerable difficulties in upper-limb use due to somatosensory deficits. One of the assessments most commonly used to evaluate ABI is the Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA); however, there is no complete psychometric analysis or standardized version in Spanish. We aimed to develop and validate a Spanish version of the stereognosis component of the NSA for evaluating Spanish adults with ABI via a single-center, observational, cross-sectional study. The Spanish version of the NSA was developed in two steps. The first was based on the standardization and collection of normative data in 120 asymptomatic participants. For the second, we recruited 25 participants with ABI to establish concurrent criterion-related validity, internal consistency, and floor/ceiling effects. Criterion validity was assessed against two-point discrimination and tactile-localization tests. Our normative data showed significant differences among the various age groups (p < 0.05), supporting the validity of the Spanish-version assessment. For the ABI sample, we also found further evidence of validity with Spearman’s rho coefficient between the total scores and the two-point discrimination and tactile-localization tests, which showed low and moderate correlations (rho = 0.50–0.75, p < 0.05). Internal consistency was excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91. No ceiling or floor effects were found. We conclude that the stereognosis component of the NSA in its Spanish version is a valid scale that can be used to comprehensively and accurately assess stereognosis capacity in adults with ABI. As a low-cost evaluation, this assessment has great potential to be widely used in clinical practice and research settings.

Organizational role ambiguity as a proxy for uncertainty avoidance

Despite studies’ mixed results regarding the construct validity of Hofstede’s (2001) Uncertainty Avoidance (UA) Index and findings linking UA to related psychological, physiological, and behavioral health outcomes at the cultural level of analysis, none have examined the concurrent criterion-related validity of UA. The current study attempts to do so by introducing organizational role ambiguity (ORA), operationalized as an organization’s structured communication strategy about performance expectations between work role, division, and organization, as a correlate of UA. Data on ORA, risk-taking, and organizational satisfaction were collected from over 15,000 respondents in 20 countries and data on cultural values, wealth, sources of guidance, personality, and satisfaction were extracted from published data. Results show that ORA negatively correlates with UA and intellectual autonomy values, as well as organizational satisfaction, but positively correlates with risk-taking, masculinity values, lateral (coworkers as) sources of guidance, agreeableness, and job satisfaction. Thus, ORA, a construct organizations often assess in engagement and climate surveys, appears to be a reasonable correlate of UA. The country’s cultural context of UA is reflected in the collective experience of an organization’s communication structures within a given country. These findings have implications for organization’s accessing their own, already available, ORA data to understand its implications on employee experiences, as well as for intercultural training and global research on occupational stress.

First Psychometric Properties of the Dutch Interview for Diagnostic Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adult Males Without Intellectual Disability.

For autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults there are several diagnostic instruments available with a need for consideration of the psychometric properties. This study aimed to conduct a first psychometric evaluation of a new diagnostic ASD instrument, the NIDA (Dutch Interview for Diagnostic assessment of ASD in adults) in 90 adult males without intellectual disability (age 18-65years) in the Netherlands: 30 with ASD, 30 with a Personality Disorder and 30 nonpatient controls. The interrater agreement ranged from 0.79 to 1.00, the convergent validity including sensitivity and specificity ranged from 0.76 to 1.00, and we observed an adequate concurrent criterion-related validity. These promising findings can serve as foundation for future psychometric NIDA studies in a more diverse population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Netherlands National Trial Register NTR6391. Registered 04 May 2017.

Validation of the nine item ARFID screen (NIAS) subscales for distinguishing ARFID presentations and screening for ARFID.

The Nine Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Screen (NIAS) has three subscales aligned with ARFID presentations but clinically validated cutoff scores have not been identified. We aimed to examine NIAS subscale (picky eating, appetite, fear) validity to: (1) capture clinically-diagnosed ARFID presentations; (2) differentiate ARFID from other eating disorders (other-ED); and (3) capture ARFID symptoms among individuals with ARFID, individuals with other-ED, and nonclinical participants. Participants included outpatients (ages 10-76 years; 75% female) diagnosed with ARFID (n=49) or other-ED (n=77), and nonclinical participants (ages 22-68 years; 38% female, n=40). We evaluated criterion-related concurrent validity by conducting receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses to identify potential subscale cutoffs and by testing if cutoffs could capture ARFID with and without use of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Each NIAS subscale had high AUC for capturing those who fit versus do not fit each ARFID presentation, resulting in proposed cutoffs of ≥10 (sensitivity=.97, specificity=.63), ≥9 (sensitivity=.86, specificity=.70), and ≥ 10 (sensitivity=.68, specificity=.89) on the NIAS-picky eating, NIAS-appetite, and NIAS-fear subscales, respectively. ARFID versus other-ED had high AUC on the NIAS-picky eating (≥10 proposed cutoff), but not NIAS-appetite or NIAS-fear subscales. NIAS subscale cutoffs had a high association with ARFID diagnosis, but only correctly classified other-ED in combination with EDE-Q Global <2.3. To screen for ARFID, we recommend using a screening tool for other-ED (e.g., EDE-Q) in combination with a positive score on any NIAS subscale (i.e., ≥10, ≥9, and/or ≥10 on the NIAS-picky eating, NIAS-appetite, and NIAS-fear subscales, respectively).

Emotional adaptation to relationship dissolution in parents and non-parents: A new conceptual model and measure.

Relationship dissolution can cause declines in emotional well-being, particularly if there are children involved. Individuals’ capacity to cope with the pragmatics of the situation, such as agreeing childcare arrangements, can be impaired. Before now, there has been no psychometric test to evaluate individuals’ emotional readiness to cope with these demands. This paper presents a model of emotional adaptation in the context of relationship dissolution and its key assumptions, and validates the Emotional Adaptation to Relationship Dissolution Assessment (EARDA). In Study 1 (Sample 1, n = 573 separated parents, Sample 2, n = 199 mix of parents and non-parents), factor analyses support the EARDA as a unidimensional scale with good reliability. In Study 2 (using Sample 1, and Sample 3, n = 156 separated parents) the convergent, discriminant, concurrent criterion-related, and incremental validity of the EARDA were supported by tests of association with stress, distress, attachment style, and co-parenting communication and conflict. In Study 3, the nomological network of emotional adaptation to relationship dissolution was explored in Sample 2 using cluster analysis and multi-dimensional scaling (MDS). Emotional adaptation clustered with positive traits and an outward focus, and was negatively associated with negative traits and an inward focus. Emotional adaptation was conceptually located in close proximity to active and adaptive coping, and furthest away from maladaptive coping. In Study 4 (n = 30 separated parents embarking on mediation), high, medium, and low emotional adaptation to relationship dissolution categories correlated highly with mediators’ professional judgement, offering triangulated face validity. Finally, in Study 5, EARDA scores were found to mediate between separation characteristics (time since break up, whether it was a shock, and who initiated the break up) and co-parenting conflict in Sample 1, supporting the proposed model. The theoretical innovation of this work is the introduction of a new construct that bridges the gap between relationship dissolution and co-parenting. Practical implications include the use of the measure proposed to triage levels of support in a family law setting.

Assessing the concurrent validity of a gait analysis system integrated into a smart walker in older adults with gait impairments

Objective: To assess the concurrent validity of a smart walker–integrated gait analysis system with the GAITRite® system for measuring spatiotemporal gait parameters in potential users of the smart walker. Design: Criterion standard validation study. Setting: Research laboratory in a geriatric hospital. Participants: Twenty-five older adults (⩾65 years) with gait impairments (habitual rollator use and/or gait speed <0.6 m/s) and no severe cognitive impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination ⩾17). Main measures: Stride, swing and stance time; stride length; and gait speed were simultaneously recorded using the smart walker–integrated gait analysis system and the GAITRite system while participants walked along a 7.8-m walkway with the smart walker. Concurrent criterion-related validity was assessed using the Bland–Altman method, percentage errors (acceptable if <30%), and intraclass correlation coefficients for consistency (ICC3,1) and absolute agreement (ICC2,1). Results: Bias for stride, swing and stance time ranged from −0.04 to 0.04 seconds, with acceptable percentage errors (8.7%–23.0%). Stride length and gait speed showed higher bias (meanbias (SD) = 0.20 (0.11) m; 0.19 (0.13) m/s) and not acceptable percentage errors (31.3%–42.3%). Limits of agreement were considerably narrower for temporal than for spatial-related gait parameters. All gait parameters showed good-to-excellent consistency (ICC3,1 = 0.72–0.97). Absolute agreement was good-to-excellent for temporal (ICC2,1 = 0.72–0.97) but only poor-to-fair for spatial-related gait parameters (ICC2,1 = 0.37–0.52). Conclusion: The smart walker–integrated gait analysis system has good concurrent validity with the GAITRite system for measuring temporal but not spatial-related gait parameters in potential end-users of the smart walker. Stride length and gait speed can be measured with good consistency, but with only limited absolute accuracy.

A brief measure of the triarchic model of psychopathy among community youths: psychometrics and measurement invariance

ABSTRACTThe development and validation of empirically sound measures that operationalize the Triarchic model of psychopathy among youth is currently in the nascent stage. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of a brief refined measure of the Triarchic model of psychopathy based on the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI-Tri-S) among a mixed-gender school sample of 782 youth (M = 15.87 years, SD = 1.72) from Portugal. Confirmatory factor analysis offered support for the theoretically expected three-factor structure. Cross-gender measurement invariance using the present sample and cross-sample measurement invariance of the YPI-Tri-S using a previously collected forensic sample of institutionalized males was established. The YPI-Tri-S showed adequate psychometric properties in terms of discriminant validity, convergent validity, concurrent criterion-related validity, known-groups validity, and internal consistency. Findings indicate that YPI-Tri-S is a valuable brief and psychometrically reliable and valid self-report measure of the Triarchic model of psychopathy for use in diverse samples of youth.

Spanish Validation of the PICCOLO (Parenting Interactions With Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes).

Background/Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Parenting Interactions with Children: Checklist of Observations Linked to Outcomes (PICCOLO; Roggman et al., 2013a). This observational measure is composed of 29 items that assess the quality of four domains of parenting interactions that promote child development: affection, responsiveness, encouragement, and teaching.Methods: The sample included 203 mother-child dyads who had been video-recorded playing together. Fifty-six percent of the children were male, and 44% were female, aged from 10 to 47 months. Video-recorded observations were rated using PICCOLO items.Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported that the instrument has four first-order factors corresponding to the hypothesized domains of parenting behaviors, and a second-order factor corresponding to a general factor of positive parenting. Construct validation evidence was compiled by examining the relationship between PICCOLO scores and child age. As expected, teaching domain and total PICCOLO scores were positively correlated with child age. The Spanish PICCOLO also demonstrated good inter-rater reliability (ranging from 0.69 to 0.84) and internal consistency reliability (ranging from 0.59 to 0.88) for the four domain scores and the total parenting score. Concurrent criterion-related validity was examined via correlations between parenting scores and child cognitive, language and motor skills outcomes, measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.Conclusion: The Spanish version of the PICCOLO meets the criteria for a reliable and valid observational measurement of parenting interactions with children. The psychometric properties of the instrument make it appropriate for general research purposes, but also for program evaluation of Early Intervention and other parenting-support interventions. This measure, focused on parent strengths, could be used to facilitate family-centered practices in early intervention and other programs that have parenting as an outcome.

Examining Underlying Relationships Between the ASDA-S and the AIR and the ASDA of Adolescents and Young Adults With and Without Disabilities

This study examined interrelationships of the Adolescent Self-Determination Assessment-Short Form (ASDA-S) from the following: (a) the ASDA-S and the AIR Self-Determination Scale and (b) the ASDA-S and the Adolescent Self-Determination Scale (ASDA; the original form of the ASDA-S). To identify the underlying relationship between latent constructs of measures of self-determination, structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques tested the proposed measurement model investigating the ASDA-S as distinct or similar constructs measured in the AIR-S and the ASDA, including 1786 adolescents and young adults with and without disabilities. The development of higher-order constructs of the ASDA-S and the AIR represented that domains statistically supported the theoretical perspectives in each measurement. In addition, the interrelationship between the ASDA-S and the ASDA reported a strong relationship. The magnitude of interrelationships between the ASDA-S with the AIR-S established concurrent criterion-related validity. By confirming the validity of the ASDA-S with youth with and without disabilities, the measurement ensured a potential usage for schoolwide and inclusive settings.

Validation of Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-16) on Nonclinical Sample of Rwandans: A Cross-Sectional Study

Globally, anxiety diseases are the mental health concerns that increase the mortality and morbidity. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) refers to the tendency of individuals to fear anxiety-related symptoms due to the belief that these symptoms may have destructive consequences. A cross-sectional study was conducted to validate ASI-16 on a non-psychiatric sample of 90 recruited students from the University of Rwanda. The recruited participants were aged 19 to 37 years old [(Mean age (M=23.9, SD = 3.69)]. The findings confirmed a good internal consistence (Cronbach’s Alpha, α= 0.83). The results revealed the ASI-16 criterion related convergent validity of ASI-16 (r=.59; p=.000; ASI and STAI) and criterion related concurrent validity (r=.069; p=.51; ASI and BDI). Using factor analysis, the findings showed an overlapping of physical, psychological and social aspects attesting that ASI is one-dimensional tool assessing anxiety symptoms. More than a quarter (1/4) of items seemed to assess all three factors of ASI; this attested that there were interconnections between physical, psychological or cognitive and social aspects. The participants who scored highly were considered to have the anxiety symptoms. In the present sample, the t-test was computed to compare males and females on the ASI-16 total scores and showed that there was no significant difference at 5% level [(Mean of males=29.3, Mean of females=29.57), t (26.176) at p=.000]. The results confirmed that ASI-16 seems to be valid and reliable to screen anxiety symptoms in a Rwandan sample. ASI’s norms should be constructed on the Rwandan population.

Validation of the Acoustic Voice Quality Index, Version 03.01, in French

The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), version 03.01, is a tool for quantitative assessment of the overall severity of dysphonia. It is based on the recordings of a sustained vowel and part of a text read aloud. For the Dutch sample, 34 syllables must be read aloud to balance the duration of the two tasks. The first part of this study thus aimed to determine how many syllables of a commonly used text in the French-speaking part of Belgium should be used to achieve the same balance. The psychometric qualities of the AVQI have been confirmed by numerous publications in various languages. However, its validation in French relies on a small cohort of patients, who were not native French speakers. Furthermore, version 03.01 of the AVQI has not yet been validated at all on French samples. Hence, the main aim of this study was to assess the criterion-related concurrent validity and diagnostic accuracy of the AVQI 03.01 applied to a sample of native French speakers. For the first part of this study, the optimal part of the text to be used for the AVQI was identified, taking into account both its phonemic contents and its time balance with the sustained vowel. For the validation study, 90 recordings from the University Hospital of Liège's ENT caseload database were used, as well as 30 new recordings of normophonic individuals, composing a control group. Four judges assessed the recordings using the G parameter of the GRBAS scale. Once the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the perceptual ratings was confirmed, the AVQI 03.01's criterion validity was assessed on the French sample. The diagnostic accuracy of the AVQI 03.01 in French was measured, and the cut-off score allowing for the greatest diagnostic precision determined. The most appropriate syllable number of the text to be read aloud was found to be 27, in order to balance the time analyzed for both the sustained vowel and the continuous speech. Regarding the validation study, intra-rater reliability was substantial for each of the four vocologists (κmean = .778, P < 0.0001), and inter-rater reliability was high (W = .895, P < 0.0001). The Spearman correlation between the perceptual judgments and the AVQI 03.01 score was strong (rs = .84, P < 0.0001). The receiver operating characteristic-curve parameters indicated that the ideal cut-off score allowing for the highest diagnostic accuracy of the AVQI, version 03.01, applied to a French sample is 2.33, with a sensitivity of 59.8%, a specificity of 100%, an infinite positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and a negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.4. This study confirms the external validity of the AVQI 03.01 when applied on a French 27-syllable sample. The AVQI 03.01 is a robust, ecologically valid objective measure of overall voice quality. The cut-off score to be used is 2.33. However, clinicians should be cautious when the AVQI score is lower than 2.33. The AVQI 03.01 does not yield a sufficiently low negative likelihood ratio to be sure that this score indeed indicates normophonia. Also, taking into account the limitations regarding the perceptual judgements used in this study, a replication study should be carried out in order to confirm the cut-off score.

Concurrent Criterion-related Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness to Treatment of the Figure-of-Four Position for Measurement of Anterior Hip Joint Structures Tightness

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the intra- and intertester reliability, concurrent criterion-related validity, and responsiveness to treatment of the “figure-of-four” position. MethodsA total of 52 asymptomatic male soccer players participated in this study. The intraclass correlation coefficient (2, 1) was used to determine intra- and intertester reliability of the figure-of-four position. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients examining the association between the figure-of-four position and goniometric measurements of hip extension and external rotation were used to establish concurrent validity. To evaluate responsiveness to treatment, the figure-of-four position was assessed by a blinded examiner before and immediately after the application of a stretching technique or control intervention. ResultsExcellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.75) was obtained for both intra- and intertester reliability of the figure-of-four position. Overall, the figure-of-four position and goniometric measurements of both hip extension and external rotation were significantly correlated. However, no significant treatment effects were observed for the figure-of-four position. ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrated that the figure-of-four position is a reliable and valid way to obtain information on tightness of anterior hip joint structures in male soccer players. However, responsiveness to treatment of the figure-of-four position should be questioned.

Development and Validation of a Parent Version of theSocial, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screenerin an Elementary Sample

A line of research has supported the incremental and construct validity of multi-informant assessment. Accordingly, multiple universal screening systems have been designed to support the collection of information from multiple informants. The purpose of the study was to expand the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS) suite of tools to include a novel parent form (SAEBRS-P). Specific aims of the study included the examination of SAEBRS-P factor structure, internal consistency reliability, and concurrent validity. Screening was conducted across four elementary schools in the Pacific Northwest with 212 students and their parents. Factor analytic results supported the retention of four factors, which demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability. Further analyses supported SAEBRS-P concurrent criterion-related validity, indicating moderate to high correlations between SAEBRS-P and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scales. Limitations and implications for research are discussed.