Evidence Of Internal Consistency Reliability Research Articles

A New Instrument to Measure Quality of Life of Heart Failure Family Caregivers

Family caregivers of heart failure (HF) patients experience poor physical and mental health leading to poor quality of life. Although several quality-of-life measures exist, they are often too generic to capture the unique experience of this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Family Caregiver Quality of Life (FAMQOL) Scale that was designed to assess the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of quality of life among caregivers of HF patients. Psychometric testing of the FAMQOL with 100 HF family caregivers was conducted using item analysis, Cronbach α, intraclass correlation, factor analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression guided by a conceptual model. Caregivers were predominately female (89%), white, (73%), and spouses (62%). Evidence of internal consistency reliability (α=.89) was provided for the FAMQOL, with item-total correlations of 0.39 to 0.74. Two-week test-retest reliability was supported by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.91. Using a 1-factor solution and principal axis factoring, loadings ranged from 0.31 to 0.78, with 41% of the variance explained by the first factor (eigenvalue=6.5). With hierarchical multiple regression, 56% of the FAMQOL variance was explained by model constructs (F8,91=16.56, P<.001). Criterion-related validity was supported by correlations with SF-36 General (r=0.45, P<.001) and Mental (r=0.59, P<.001) Health subscales and Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (r=0.73, P<.001). Evidence of internal and test-retest reliability and construct and criterion validity was provided for physical, psychological, and social well-being subscales. The 16-item FAMQOL is a brief, easy-to-administer instrument that has evidence of reliability and validity in HF family caregivers. Physical, psychological, and social well-being can be measured with 4-item subscales. The FAMQOL scale could serve as a valuable measure in research, as well as an assessment tool to identify caregivers in need of intervention.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Appraisal of Health Scale in Stroke Survivors

Little is known about the cognitive appraisal process influencing poststroke depressive symptoms. Based on a framework derived from Lazarus and Folkman (1984), psychometric properties of the Appraisal of Health Scale (AHS) were tested. Secondary analysis of data from 394 stroke survivors tested internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the AHS, consisting of 3 subscales (threat, benign, benefit). Cronbach's alphas were satisfactory (threat .92, benign .85, benefit .73). After principal axis factoring, two factors emerged (threat, benefit). Sequential multiple regression accounted for 43% of the variance in depressive symptoms (p < .001), partly explained by the threat and benefit subscales after controlling for depression history, disability, age, social support, self-esteem, and optimism. Threat and benefit AHS subscales demonstrated satisfactory evidence of internal consistency reliability and construct validity in stroke survivors.

Development and psychometric evaluation of a quantitative measure of “fat talk”

Based on her anthropological research, Nichter (2000) concluded that it is normative for many American girls to engage in body self-disparagement in the form of “fat talk.” The purpose of the present two studies was to develop a quantitative measure of fat talk. A series of 17 scenarios were created in which “Naomi” is talking with a female friend(s) and there is an expression of fat talk. College women respondents rated the frequency with which they would behave in a similar way as the women in each scenario. A nine-item one-factor scale was determined through principal components analysis and its scores yielded evidence of internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability over a five-week time period, construct validity, discriminant validity, and incremental validity in that it predicted unique variance in body shame and eating disorder symptoms above and beyond other measures of self-objectification.

Comparison of the Psychometric Properties of Four At-Work Disability Measures in Workers with Shoulder or Elbow Disorders

To better capture the extent of work disability following an occupational injury, clinical researchers are beginning to recognize the importance of considering not only levels of absenteeism, but also disabilities experienced while "at-work". Although at-work disability measures are available in the literature, currently there is little insight on the selection of specific measures that may be best suited for a given population or situation. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the measurement properties of four self-report at-work disability measures in workers with shoulder or elbow disorders. Study sample consisted of 80 patients attending a shoulder and elbow specialty clinic operated by the Worker Safety Insurance Board of Ontario. Internal consistency reliability, validity, and patient preference of four at-work disability measures were compared in a cross-sectional design. Selected measures included the work module of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure, Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ-16), Work Instability Scale for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA-WIS), and Stanford Presenteeism Scale. All four measures demonstrated evidence of internal consistency reliability (alpha = 0.76-0.90) and construct validity, although only modest correlations against work-oriented constructs (r = 0.37-0.60) were observed. The RA-WIS was most preferred by respondents (44.6%) over the other measures. Although no single scale stood out as clearly superior, the WLQ-16 was considered the best overall performer. Variable performance between the scales suggests some divergence in the way these measures conceptualize "at-work disability", which may be important to consider when selecting instruments for future studies.

Ease of care with patient controlled analgesia systems: questionnaire development and validation

This paper is a report of the development and validation of two questionnaires assessing ease of caring for patients receiving patient controlled analgesia from the perspectives of nurses and physical therapists. While studies have assessed patient satisfaction with and preference for patient controlled analgesia modalities, no instruments have been developed to assess the ease of providing care (ease of care) for patients receiving patient controlled analgesia from nurses' and physical therapists' perspectives. Nurses and physical therapists participated in focus groups during 2003 to identify concepts associated with caring for patients receiving intravenous patient controlled analgesia. Based on these discussions, items were developed and included in draft questionnaires. Content validity of draft questionnaires was assessed, and final questionnaires were developed. Psychometric properties of the final questionnaires were assessed using data from 79 nurses and 80 physical therapists from two clinical trials conducted during 2004 and 2005 to compare the efficacy and safety of two modalities of patient controlled analgesia. The Nurse and Physical Therapist Ease of Care Questionnaires had 22 items addressing three aspects of patient care: time-efficiency (time-consuming subscale), ease of use/convenience (bothersome subscale), and satisfaction (satisfaction subscale). All subscales on both questionnaires demonstrated evidence of internal consistency reliability, and subscale-to-subscale correlations suggested that the time-consuming and bothersome subscales contribute equally to overall ease of care. The subscales were statistically significantly correlated with clinical measures. These instruments may be valuable for assessing the impact of patient controlled analgesia modalities on patient care for these healthcare providers.

Development of the Healing Touch Comfort Questionnaire

This study provided preliminary evidence for internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alpha = .94) of the newly developed Healing Touch Comfort Questionnaire. Fifty-six Healing Touch (HT) recipients (51 women and 5 men with a mean age of 51) completed the questionnaire. Participants with more than 4 HT treatments had higher comfort levels than those with fewer than 4.

Development of competency inventory for registered nurses in the people's republic of china: Scale development

Background Literature review indicated there is no existing nursing competency framework or instrument for Chinese registered nurses. By virtue of its global leadership role in nursing, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) developed an ICN Framework of Competencies for the Generalist Nurses in 2003. On the basis of the ICN's framework, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the expectations of Chinese nurse professionals on nursing competency in the previous study. A competency framework for Chinese registered nurses was formed. This paper describes the development and testing of the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses (CIRN). Methods A methodological study design was used, consisting of two phases with six steps. A review of literature generated 112 items, which were evaluated by six experts followed by field testing in a purposive sample of 815 Chinese clinical registered nurses. Factor analysis and item analysis were applied to establish the scale's construct validity and reliability. Results The final scale consists of seven dimensions with 58 items. The overall scale reliability had a Cronbach's α of 0.89; the dimensions Cronbach's α ranged from 0.79 to 0.86. In addition, evidence for two other kinds of validity was obtained, which included criterion-related validity ( r=0.44, p=0.04) and contrasted-group validity ( p<0.001). Conclusion The CIRN has demonstrated evidence of internal consistency reliability, content validity, and construct validity, and it provides an objective tool for assessing registered nurse competencies in the various areas of clinical practice.

Assessment of Accurate Self-Knowledge

Despite ongoing theoretical interest in the accuracy of self-knowledge and its implications for mental health, few researchers have yet to tackle this topic directly. This may be due, in part, to several factors that make assessing individual differences in accurate self-knowledge especially difficult. In this article, we present a method for the assessment of accurate self-knowledge that relies on information gathered from the self, knowledgeable others, and observations of behavior in the laboratory, and we provide psychometric support for this newly developed assessment procedure. Specifically, we present evidence for internal consistency reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity. Other researchers interested in studying the accuracy of self-knowledge might wish to adopt this procedure in their own research endeavors.

Assessing Positive and Negative Changes in the Aftermath of Adversity: Psychometric Evaluation of the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire.

The Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CiOQ; S. Joseph, R. Williams, & W. Yule, 1993) is a 26-item self-report measure that was designed to assess positive and negative changes in the aftermath of adversity. This article had 3 aims: 1st, to investigate the factor structure of the CiOQ; 2nd, to test for internal consistency reliability and convergent and discriminant validity; and, 3rd, to investigate the association between positive and negative changes in outlook, posttraumatic stress, and psychological distress. Three studies are reported. Study 1 provides evidence that positive and negative changes are statistically separable and that the 2-factor model is a better fit than the 1-factor model. Studies 2 and 3 provide evidence for internal consistency reliability, convergent and discriminant validity of the CiOQ, and its associations with posttraumatic stress and psychological distress. In conclusion, the CiOQ has much promise for research on responses to stressful and traumatic events.

Development of the satisfaction with inhaled asthma treatment questionnaire.

For the management of a condition such as asthma, patients should feel confident with their medication, feel that the treatment is adequate in controlling symptoms and that side-effects of the treatment are minimal. As no comprehensive instrument to measure patient satisfaction with inhaled asthma medication existed, the Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire was developed. The procedures that were used are described, and the initial validation and reliability tests are reported. The study involved focus group meetings, development, testing and modification of a preliminary instrument, and testing of the revised instrument using different samples of patients with asthma. Factor analysis of the 26-item questionnaire identified four domains reflecting four aspects of satisfaction: effectiveness of treatment, ease of use, medication burden, and side-effects and worries. Cronbach's alpha showed evidence of internal consistency reliability. Test/retest reliability ranged from 0.66-0.74. Interscale correlations were moderate-to-high. Significant correlations were found between domain and overall scale scores and patients' overall level of satisfaction. The Satisfaction with Asthma Treatment Questionnaire is potentially a useful instrument for gaining insight into patient satisfaction with inhaled treatment for asthma.

Measuring Video Gambling: Instrument Development and Validation

Objective: This article reports the initial validation of an instrument designed to measure problem gambling on video gambling devices. Methods: Two samples were collected and included (a) individuals at random lists of playing locations for all counties in one state (n = 553) and (b) a general public sample also drawn from each county (n = 542). Results: The scales attained high levels of internal consistency reliability and had a stable factor structure. The items predicted with high accuracy pathological and nonpathological gambling, and the scales performed well in examinations of discriminant and convergent construct validity. Conclusions: The research provided strong evidence of internal consistency reliability, as well as content, construct, factorial, and preliminary evidence of known-groups validity.

Measuring Racial Climate in Schools of Social Work: Instrument Development and Validation

Objective: This article reports the initial validation of an instrument designed to measure racial climate in programs and schools of social work. Method: An unduplicated sample of students from one school of social work (N = 182) responded to a survey of racial climate. Psychometric analyses were computed to determine the reliability and validity of the instrument’s scales. Results: The scales attained high levels of internal consistency reliability, had a stable factor structure for the items as they were hypothesized, and performed well in preliminary analyses of convergent construct and known-groups validity. Conclusions: The results provided initial evidence of internal consistency reliability and content, construct, factorial, and known-groups validity.

The Development of an Instrument Measuring Preservice Physical Education Teacher Attitudes Toward Fitness Tests in Schools

The study was designed to develop an instrument to measure preservice physical education teacher (PPET) attitudes toward fitness tests in schools. Three stages were utilized in developing the instrument: (a) Phase 1 (definition of attitudes, component conceptualization, and item development); (b) Phase 2 (content validity study); and (c) Phase 3 (internal consistency reliability and construct validity study). Doctoral students (N = 20) served on the expert panel and participated in the content validity study. They were asked to organize items into the domain areas of the instrument. Participants for the reliability and validity study were 613 PPETs at 10 state universities. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analyses were used to provide evidence for internal consistency reliability, and validity of the instrument to measure PPET attitudes toward fitness tests. The instrument includes an affective component, which contains 1 subdomain, "Enjoyment of Fitness Tests," as well as a cognitive component, which contains a subdomain, "Importance and Usefulness of Fitness Tests." This study will lead to a better understanding of attitudes of PPETs in this area and may eventually lead to recommendations for physical education teacher education programs.

Operationalizing Maslow's theory: development and testing of the basic need satisfaction inventory.

Although Maslow's theory is frequently cited in the nursing literature and is commonly used as an underlying framework for clinical practice, it has been subjected to limited empirical scrutiny. This may be due, in part, to a scarcity of survey measures to operationalize the construct of need satisfaction. The Basic Need Satisfaction Inventory (BNSI) was developed for this purpose. The instrument, created from Andrews and Withey's indicators of life concerns and their "delighted-terrible" scale, was first examined through secondary data analysis, pilot tested (N = 21), and then administered to samples of men and women with chronic pulmonary disease (N = 109) and healthy older adults (N = 100). Emerging evidence of internal consistency reliability and construct validity suggests that the BNSI may be a useful instrument to measure need satisfaction and to test the adequacy of Maslow's theory for nursing science and practice.

The Interpersonal Relationship Inventory: Continued Psychometric Evaluation

For norm-referenced measures to be useful in social-behavioral research, investigators who develop measures face several psychometric challenges, including: (a) adequate domain specification; (b) adequate initial evidence of reliability and validity; and (c) ongoing evidence of psychometric quality. The Interpersonal Relationship Inventory (IPRI) was developed in response to gaps in measurement of social relationships, and contributed scales for reciprocity and conflict to a measure of social support. For the IPRI, the first two points were addressed during the period of instrument development. The measure now has been in use for 4 years. This article reports evidence addressing the third challenge: ongoing evidence of psychometric quality. Findings from 19 studies using the IPRI provide compelling evidence for internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the scales.