Guttman Split-half Reliability Research Articles

A Scale Development Study to Determine Preschool Teachers' Perception of Gender Roles in the Classroom

The aim of this study is to develop an in-class gender role perception scale for preschool teachers. The study group of the research consists of 493 pre-school teachers working in independent kindergartens, kindergartens within primary schools and kindergartens within secondary schools in Nevşehir, Kırşehir, Niğde and Aksaray provinces of Turkey. The content validity of the scale was ensured by expert opinions. Construct validity was ensured by both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. KMO and Bartlett tests were used to determine the suitability of the created items for factor analysis, and these tests were found to be significant at the p <.05 level. With the factor analysis performed to reveal the factor structure of the scale items, a structure consisting of 4 sub-dimensions and 42 items was determined: "general gender discourses in fairy tales and stories, gender role characteristics, gender-specific behavioral reactions and gender". In the reliability analysis of the scale items, Spearman-Brown and Guttman Split-Half reliability coefficients were calculated and these coefficients were found to be suitable for all sub-dimensions. Cronbach's Alpha (α) values were calculated and the resulting coefficient value was found suitable for reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed and the fit indices confirmed the structure created by the factor analysis.

An explorative study of the Chinese Pictorial Version of Children's Dissociative Experiences Scale and Posttraumatic Symptom Inventory

IntroductionPsychometric tools for assessing or screening young children with complex trauma and dissociation based on their own subjective experience are very limited. The present study aimed to explore the applicability of the Chinese translated pictorial version of Children's Dissociative Experiences Scale and Posttraumatic Symptom Inventory (CDES/PTSI) for children aged 5 to 11. ObjectiveTo examine the psychometric properties of the newly developed Chinese Pictorial Version of Children's Dissociative Experiences Scale and Posttraumatic Symptom Inventory (CP-CDES/PTSI) in a group of Chinese young children. MethodThe CP-CDES/PTSI was administered to (N = 85) children aged from 5 to 11 for trial use. The Child Trauma Screen (CTS) and Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC) were selected as criterion scales to measure children's dissociative and post-traumatic stress symptoms, as reported by their caregivers. The scale reliability was measured by Cronbach's alpha, the Guttman split-half reliability and index of coefficient Omega. The validity was assessed by correlation, hierarchical regression and multimodal analyses. ANOVA was used to conduct subgroup analysis to investigate the applicability of the instrument on younger children. ResultsThe CP-CDES/PTSI presented with good internal reliability as well as established convergent and predictive validity to dissociative symptoms. The total score was significantly associated with dissociative symptoms in children as reported by their caregivers. A majority (78 %) of children aged between 60 and 71 months could comprehend and finish the test satisfactorily, while all children aged 72 months or above in the group could comprehend the test competently. ConclusionThe findings suggested that the CP-CDES/PTSI can be used with children with age as young as 5 in a Chinese population.

Score Reliability Generalization of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS): A Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to provide meta-analytic reliability information of the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). We implemented systematic search procedures to 35 eligible studies (N = 23,247; Mage = 26.74 years) that reported reliability estimates. The synthesized average values of Cronbach’s alpha were .88 (95% CI [.85, .92]) for the total C-SSRS scores, .88 (95% CI [.87, .89]) for the Suicidal Ideation Severity subscale, .76 (95% CI [.70, .83]) for the Intensity of Ideation subscale, and .81 (95% CI [.74, .88]) for the Suicidal Behavior subscale. Inter-rater reliability of the C-SSRS scores, as mostly indicated by Kappa coefficients, ranged from .67 to 1.00, suggesting substantial agreement. Additionally, other reliability estimates were examined, such as Guttman split-half reliability, McDonald’s omega, and composite reliability. The findings of this study provided evidence of moderate to strong reliability for the C-SSRS scores. Implications for counselors and counseling researchers were provided.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the intensive care oral care frequency and assessment scale

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to translate the Intensive Care Oral Care Frequency and Assessment Scale into Chinese and to evaluate its reliability and validity in Chinese ICU patients. MethodsThis study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design in ICUs of three tertiary hospitals in Huai'an and Taizhou from October 2022 to April 2023. The Chinese version of the Intensive Care Oral Care Frequency and Assessment Scale (C-ICOCFAS) was developed by expert consultation and cultural adaptation according to the two-person verbatim translation-back translation criteria described in the Brislin model. Item analysis was conducted using correlation analysis, and validity analysis included content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity. Reliability analyses included Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Guttman split-half reliability, and interrater reliability. ResultsThe Chinese version of the scale consisted of one dimension and nine items, consistent with the original version. Exploratory factor analysis showed KMO = 0.891, and the cumulative variance contribution reached 65.534 %. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit, χ2/df = 2.124, NFI = 0.950, GFI = 0.942, IFI = 0.973, CFI = 0.973, SRMR = 0.037, and RMSEA = 0.073. The content validity of the scale was 0.97, and the content validity of the items ranged from 0.83 to 1.00; the criterion validity was 0.969; the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.919; the total item correlation coefficient was 0.725–0.831; the Guttman split-half reliability was 0.919; and the interrater reliability was 0.885. ConclusionThe C-ICOCFAS has good reliability and validity and can effectively guide nurses in the frequency of oral care for ICU patients. Implications for clinical practiceThis tool can significantly improve the level of oral care among ICU patients and further promote the health and safety of patients. These findings can help clinical nursing experts to better understand and master the use of scales and standards to improve nursing.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation for central sensitization inventory: based on Chinese patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty for knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundThis study was conducted to develop a simplified Chinese version of the central sensitization inventory (CSI-CV) and to evaluate its reliability and validity.MethodsThe CSI-CV was developed through a process involving the translation and back translation of the original CSI. Subsequently, experts reviewed and revised the content of the items to ensure their appropriateness. A total of 325 patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), who were scheduled to undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA), completed the CSI-CV at a prominent orthopedic center in Xi'an, China. Afterward, a random selection of 100 participants was chosen for retesting after one week. The reliability and validity of the inventory were evaluated through exploratory factor analysis, correlation coefficient calculation and other methods.ResultsThe CSI-CV consists of 25 items in five dimensions (emotional distress, headache and jaw symptoms, physical symptoms, urological symptoms, and fatigue and sleep problems). The cumulative variance contribution rate was 75.3%, the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.83, the Guttman split-half reliability coefficient was 0.88 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.965. The CSI-CV scores correlated moderately with the total scores of the brief pain inventory (r = 0.506), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (r = 0.466) and EuroQoL Group's five-dimension questionnaire (r = 0.576).ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate that the CSI was successfully trans-culturally adapted into a simplified Chinese version (CSI-CV) that was reliable and valid for Chinese-speaking patients who awaiting TKA for KOA.

Reliability and validity of the Child Perception Questionnaire 8 ~ 10 (CPQ8~10) in China: an instrument for measuring oral health-related quality of life among 8-10-year-old children.

Children aged 8-10 are in a critical stage of growth and development, facing complex and specific oral health problems. In China, there is no specific assessment questionnaire for this age group. The Child Perception Questionnare 8 ~ 10 (CPQ8~10) has been widely used in many countries, with good reliability and validity. This study aimed to translate the CPQ8~10 into Chinese and assess its reliability and validity, and ascertain its applicability for 8-10-year-old children in China. Brislin's translation model was used in developing the Chinese version of CPQ8~10. Internal consistency, retest reliability, criterion validity, and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the CPQ8~10 among 494 8 ~ 10-year-old children in China. A Chinese version of the CPQ8~10, aligned with Chinese culture and social features, was developed. The criterion validity was 0.719 (P < 0.001). The item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) for the Chinese version of the CPQ8~10 were 0.80 ~ 1.00 and 0.968, respectively. Factor analysis revealed a logical relationship among the items in the Chinese version of the CPQ8~10. The Cronbach's α coefficient, retest reliability, and Guttman split-half reliability coefficient for the Chinese version of the CPQ8~10 were 0.819, 0.830, and 0.849, respectively. The Chinese version of the CPQ8~10 exhibited a structure consistent with the original questionnaire, displaying good reliability and validity. This study facilitates the application of CPQ8~10 in China. The Chinese version of the CPQ8~10 is a brief and suitable tool to evaluate oral health-related quality of life of 8 ~ 10-year-old children.

Development and validation of an instrument for measuring junior nurses’ recognition and response abilities to clinical deterioration (RRCD)

BackgroundNurses of all levels are expected to be competent in managing clinical deterioration. Given their limited experience and basic-level knowledge, there is a concern about junior nurses' clinical and patient management skills. However, junior nurses’ abilities to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration have not been adequately explored because of the absence of a comprehensive tool. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to develop a new self-assessment scale to assess the junior nurses’ recognition and response abilities to clinical deterioration and to examine its reliability and validity. MethodsScale items were based on literature reviews and interviews. The preliminary scale was generated through two rounds of expert review. A panel of five experts evaluated content validity. After a pilot study, the questionnaire was distributed to 168 junior nurses via convenience sampling. Subsequent statistical analysis of results included construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability. ResultsSix factors were included, and 69.310% of the total variance was explained by the 25 items comprising the scale. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.905 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.812–0.979) for the overall scale and 0.655–0.838 for its subscales. The Guttman split-half reliability was 0.856 (95% CI: 0.806–0.894). The test–retest reliability of the scale was 0.878 (95% CI: 0.836–0.911). ConclusionWe developed a scale for measuring the abilities of junior nurses to recognise and respond to clinical deterioration and confirmed its reliability and validity. More experimental studies are needed to further evaluate this instrument.

Development of the knowledge of exercise during pregnancy scale

Objective: Benefits of exercise in pregnancy on maternal and fetal health are well-documented, whereas physical activity participation and knowledge of exercise during pregnancy are limited among pregnant women. This research purposed to develop a tool to measure knowledge of exercise during pregnancy. Material and Methods: This is a methodological study. After review of the literature, a pool of items was created. These items were regulated into a Likert-type scale. The content validity of the 27-item pilot-scale was assessed by expert review. The pilot-scale was applied online to women aged over 18 years with a history of at least one full-term live delivery. After the pilot application, validity and reliability were analyzed. Results: The content validity ratios (CVR) of items were between 0.500-0.900, and the content validity index (CVI) of the scale was 0.690. The scale underwent item analysis for reliability, and factor analysis for validity assessment. Subsequently, a total of 15 items were removed due to increasing Cronbach's alpha coefficient (k=10) and if having a communality value below 0.30 in the extraction column of the communalities table (k=5). The remaining 12 items were collected under a single factor with an eigenvalue of 5.731 that explained 47.8% of the variance. The scale was found to be highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha 0.894, Spearman-Brown split-half reliability coefficient 0.796, Guttman split-half reliability coefficient 0.792). The confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit for the 12-item scale. Conclusions: The newly developed 12-item Knowledge of Exercise during Pregnancy Scale is valid and reliable for use with Turkish women to assess knowledge of exercise during pregnancy.

Prof K C Dube Poster Award

Aim:To translate, adapt and validate Fat Phobia Scale- Short Form (FPS-SF) in Hindi.Methodology:World Health Organization (WHO) process of cultural adaptation of a tool was adopted. Hindi translation of EDDS was done by three psychiatrists, two of whom were familiar with western culture, their mother tongue being Hindi. The expert team was bilingual, including three surgeons, one Professor in the English language, one morbidly-obese person, and a psychiatrist with the past experience of cultural adaptation of tools, resolved inconsistencies in translations. Back translation to the English language was done by an independent translator. Morbidly-obese patients (n=55) seeking treatment from Metabolic Surgery Clinic at Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi were involved in pre-testing/focussed-group-discussion/cognitive-interviewing. Hindi-version so-developed was administered on undergraduate students (n=120) twice, separated by a week. Test-retest reliability was assessed. The Hindi-Fat Phobia Scale-Short Form (FPS-SF), original EDDS, and Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M), and were applied on 175 participants [students (n=120), patients (n=55)]. Psychometric properties were analyzed.Results:The mean age and Body-Mass Index (BMI) of students and patients were 18.60 and 43.38 years; and 21.77 and 43.21Kg/m2, respectively. The sample size according to the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was adequate for exploratory factor analysis (KMO-test=0.708 and χ2=1470.52;p=0.000). Internal consistency, Guttman split-half reliability was λ-2=0.838. Intra-class correlation coefficient 0.799(95%CI=0.753-0.840)(p-value=0.000). Cross-language concordance had significant intra-class correlation coefficient (0.877-0.986)(p-value=0.000).Discussion:Fat phobia has detrimental consequences on physical and mental health. Hence, it is pertinent to measure.Conclusion:The Hindi-FPS-SF has good psychometric properties and may be used for epidemiological purposes in India.

Development and preliminary evaluation of Chinese School-aged Children\u2019s Eating Behavior Scale

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to develop a scale to assess eating behaviors of school-aged children (6–12 years old) in China.MethodsTo develop the scale, a literature review and qualitative interviews were conducted. The draft scale contained 115 items and went through three evaluations among three groups of caregivers (n = 140, 400, 700) selected from suburban and urban kindergartens in Xi’an, Hanzhong, and Yanan, China, from March 2017 to October 2018. The psychometric properties of the scale were assessed using exploratory, confirmatory factor analysis, and variability analysis.ResultsThe final scale consisted of 46 items across eight dimensions including food fussiness, satiety responsiveness, food responsiveness, bad eating habits, susceptible diet, restrained eating, enjoyment of food, and junk food addiction. The total cumulative variance contribution rate was 52.16%. The scale and dimensions' Cronbach’s α coefficients, Guttman split-half reliability, and test- retest reliability were all above 0.65. The fitting indices for the confirmatory factor analysis were all close to 1. The scores for education of caregiver, family structure, and the body mass index of children were different among dimensions and groups, thus suggesting good discriminative utility.ConclusionsAll of the results indicated that the scale has good reliability and construct validity for evaluating the eating behaviors of school-aged children in China.

Development, validity and reliability of the Sports Injury Prevention Awareness Scale

Objective: This study aimed to develop the Sports Injury Prevention Awareness Scale (SIPAS) and to determine its validity and reliability for use with the Turkish population. Materials and Methods: This methodological study was initiated after approval by the local ethics committee. After a review of the literature, a pool of 31 items was developed. The items were organized into a 5-point Likert-type scale (Scale v.1), and the content validity of this pilot-scale was assessed using the Lawshe method, for which expert opinion was used to determine content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Subsequently, the pilot-scale was applied to a sample of at least 10 times the number of items. Participants' descriptive information, and responses were recorded electronically (Google Forms). Data were analyzed and the validity and reliability of the scale were assessed using SPSS v.23 and AMOS v.24. Results: The content validity of the scale (Scale v.1) was assessed using opinions from 18 experts. Items that did not meet the minimum CVR threshold were eliminated (k=2). The remaining 29-item scale (Scale v.2) had a CVI of 0.696 and was applied to a total of 379 participants (147 males, 38.8%; 232 females, 61.2%) with a mean age of 29.2±11.3 years. From Scale v.2, a total of 11 items were removed due to reducing Cronbach's alpha coefficient (k=5), lack of variables (k=1), or cross-loading between factors (k=5). The remaining 18 items (Scale v.3) explained 59.7% of the variance. Analyses revealed four factors with eigenvalues λ&gt;1.0. The reliability of Scale v.3 was demonstrated with a Spearman-Brown reliability coefficient of 0.778, a Guttman split-half reliability coefficient of 0.772, and a Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of 0.884. Scale v.3 satisfied the goodness-of-fit indices in confirmatory factor analysis. Conclusions: The 18-item four-factor (health status, environmental factors and equipment, exercise session, exercise program) Sports Injury Prevention Awareness Scale is valid and reliable for use with Turkish individuals aged 13-66 years.

Preliminary evaluation of the Chinese version of the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire.

BackgroundThis study was conducted to develop a Chinese version of the Baby Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (BEBQ) and to evaluate its reliability and validity.MethodsThe Chinese version of the BEBQ was developed by translation and back‐translation of the original BEBQ, followed by revision according to experts on the most appropriate item content. Mothers of 300 infants aged <12 months were recruited for survey participation from the paediatric outpatient departments of two large general hospitals in Xi'an, China. Fifty of the mothers were selected randomly for retesting after 2 weeks. Face‐to‐face surveys included explanation of the process, administration of the Chinese version of the BEBQ with regard to the exclusive breast‐feeding period, and demographic data collection. The reliability, validity and discrimination of the questionnaire were evaluated through correlation coefficient calculation, factor analysis, parallel analysis and other methods.ResultsThe Chinese version of the BEBQ consists of 15 items in four dimensions (food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, slowness in eating and satiety responsiveness). The cumulative variance contribution rate was 58.4%, the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.93, the Guttman split‐half reliability coefficient was 0.87 and the test–retest reliability coefficient was 0.75. The satiety responsiveness and food responsiveness scores differed significantly according to gestational age at birth, infant sex and average monthly weight gain (all P < 0.05). The enjoyment of food score differed significantly according to average monthly weight gain (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe Chinese version of the BEBQ showed good reliability and validity and can be used to evaluate infants' appetite through the assessment of eating behaviour.

Validation in French of the Brief Esophageal Dysphagia Questionnaire in Patients Referred For Esophageal Manometry.

A brief esophageal dysphagia questionnaire (BEDQ) was recently developed in English to evaluate frequency and intensity of dysphagia. Our aim was to validate this questionnaire in French in a cohort of patients referred for esophageal manometry. Patients referred for esophageal high resolution manometry were offered to fill out different questionnaires including Eckart score, GERDQ score and BEDQ. BEDQ was translated in French by two French native speakers and experts in esophageal motility. Patients were grouped according to the indications of esophageal high resolution manometry (dysphagia, GERD, others). The total BEDQ score was calculated and compared between groups. The validation method used the assessment of internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha and reliability with Guttman split-half reliability. BEDQ questionnaire was completed by 608 patients (44% males, mean age 54years). The total score had an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90) and reliability (Guttman statistic = 0.92). The correlation was good with Eckardt score (r = 0.65, p < 0.001) but poor with the GERDQ score (r = 0.21, p < 0.01). Patients referred for dysphagia (n = 197) had an Eckardt score and a BEDQ score significantly higher than those referred for GERD or other indications (5.48 vs 3.65 and 3.53 respectively for Eckardt score and 15.85 vs 4.64 and 5.78 for BEDQ, p < 0.001). BEDQ is a valid questionnaire in French to assess dysphagia in clinical practice. It remains to be determined if this score is sensitive to symptom variation and thus useful for the follow up of patients with dysphagia.

Rapid screening for generalized anxiety disorder in patients with migraine

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often remains undiagnosed in patients with migraine, while comorbidity of GAD with migraine is associated with increased dysfunction and risk of chronic migraine. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7-item (GAD-7) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 2-item (GAD-2) are the commonly employed screening measures for generalized anxiety symptoms in different patient groups. The present study aimed to evaluate psychometric properties of the Persian version of GAD-7 and GAD-2 in migraine. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients were diagnosed with migraine headaches according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3); then they participated in the psychiatric diagnostic interview, and filled out GAD-7, GAD-2, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), and Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQv2.1). The psychometric properties of GAD-7 and GAD-2 were examined using SPSS and LISREL. Results: Final samples were 186 patients with migraine that 83 patients received a diagnosis of GAD. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the one-factor model of GAD-7 fit the data well. Internal consistency, test-retest, and Guttman split-half reliability of GAD-7 and GAD-2 were good. Significant correlation results, average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability (CR) supported the construct validity of the GAD-7. A score of ≥ 10 in GAD-7 and ≥ 3 in GAD-2 achieved satisfactory sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) (GAD-7: 92%, 90%, 88%, and 93%, respectively; GAD-2: 79%, 88%, 71%, and 91%, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings supported GAD-7 and GAD-2 for assessing GAD in patients with migraine. It seems that GAD-7 and GAD-2 accurately diagnosed GAD in this group of patients.

Validation of the French version of the esophageal hypervigilance and anxiety scale

IntroductionAn esophageal hypervigilance and anxiety scale (EHAS) was developed in English to assess the psychological process in patients with esophageal disorders. The aim of the current study was to validate this scale in French. Patients and methodsPatients referred for esophageal high resolution manometry (HRM) were offered to fill out different questionnaires including EHAS, Eckart score and gastro-esophageal reflux disease-questionnaire (GERDQ) score. EHAS was translated in French by 2 French native speaker experts in esophageal motility. Patients were grouped according to the indications of HRM (dysphagia, reflux, other). The total EHAS score was calculated and compared between groups. The validation method used the assessment of internal consistency with Cronbach’s α and reliability with Guttman split-half reliability. ResultsAmong the 607 patients who accepted to fill out questionnaires, the EHAS questionnaire was completed and analyzable in 469 patients. The total score had an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.91) and reliability (Guttman statistic = 0.86). EHAS score was not different between groups while Eckardt score was logically higher in patients with dysphagia than in others (p < 0.001) and GERDQ score was higher in patients with reflux than in those with dysphagia (p < 0.001). Despite different load on anxiety and hypervigilance scales, inter-item correlations and average scores did not differ between the original and the French EHAS. ConclusionEHAS is a valid questionnaire in French. It can be interpreted using the original EHAS score. Further studies are required to demonstrate the utility of this score in patients’ management.

Development of Modified Dental Beliefs Scale Among an Adolescent Rural Population.

ABSTRACTObjective:Modified dental beliefs scale (MDBS), the shortened form of the R-DBS, was developed in a multicultural population. The factor structure of MDBS is not explored in an Indian context. The study explores psychometric properties and tests the fit of MDBS in a rural costal adolescent population in a vernacular language.Materials and Methods:The cross-sectional analysis was carried out at two randomly selected rural Institutes in Costal Karnataka. Psychometric properties using a questionnaire were assessed. Validity and reliability were assessed by Cronbach’s α, split-half reliability, and test–retest analysis. Statistical analysis: Factor analysis with varimax rotation was employed to add a level of statistical precision and assist in the development the instrument. Two models were developed and tested for goodness of fit, root mean square error of approximation, and comparative fit.Results:The MDBS revealed a Cronbach’s α value of 0.76. Split-half reliability and Guttman split-half reliability were found to be 0.86 and 0.86, respectively. Test–retest reliability was found to be 0.74 (P < 0.01). Factor analysis revealed a five-factor solution explaining 67.8% of the variation in the scale. CFA revealed an appropriate goodness of fit for both models with better values for model two with chi‐square value was statistically significant and the ratio value (χ2/df = 7.8).Conclusion:The results of the present study indicate that the MDBS is a reliable and valid tool for the present population subset, with good fit for the second model with two separate latent variables.

Validation of the Pandemic Emotional Impact Scale

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic represents the most universal shared stressor for the general United States (U.S) population in many decades. Due to the unprecedented circumstances of COVID-19, no existing questionnaires can comprehensively measure the multi-faceted psychological effects attributable to this health crisis. This study aimed to validate a measure for that purpose. MethodsA 16-item questionnaire, the Pandemic Emotional Impact Scale (PEIS), was designed and subjected to initial validation in an internet survey completed by a nationally representative sample of 1500 adults living in the U.S. This survey was completed between May 18 and May 30, 2020, during the height of the pandemic’s impact on society. ResultsThe PEIS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ​= ​0.94) and Guttman split-half reliability (0.95). Exploratory factor analysis suggested two sub-scales -- emotional impact and pragmatic worries -- but these were highly correlated with the overall scale score suggesting that the total score can be used in most cases. The PEIS demonstrated good concurrent validity via robust positive correlations with anxiety, depression and stress, and negative correlations with quality of life and happiness. Criterion validity was supported by the finding that individuals who reported employment loss or loss of income due to the pandemic, had experienced COVID-19 infection in their household, or knew somebody personally who died from the pandemic, had elevated scores on the PEIS. ConclusionsThe PEIS questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument that addresses a significant unmet need for a research instrument that can comprehensively measure pandemic-related effects on the emotional wellbeing of individuals in the U.S population.

Development of Sexual Orientation Scale

Background:Sexual orientation is a continuing amorous pattern of attraction toward the opposite sex (heterosexual), same sex (homosexual), or both sexes (bisexual) or it is lack of sexual desire toward anyone (asexual). Psychosocial and biological explanations regarding the development of an individual’s sexual orientation are related to life incidents, parenting patterns, psychological attributes of the individual, or may also be related to an imbalance in sex hormones. There is no strong evidence-based scientific research revealing the exact causes for one’s sexual orientation for it is not static but dynamic in nature.Aim:The purpose of the study is to develop a psychological assessment scale which identifies an individual’s sexual orientation, particularly when he/she denies to reveal his/her sexual preference in the marital life.Methodology:A tool with 32 items was developed by conducting focus group discussion, interviewing the experts in the relevant fields and reviewing the literature. Test-retest and split half reliability were established with Cronbach’s alpha to analyze the internal consistency. Both logical-based validity (face, content, and focus group) and empirical-based validity (criterion, concurrent, convergent, and divergent) were established. These methodologies were standardized by a sample of 506 participants (217 males and 289 females) between the age range of 18 and 50 years.Results:The test-retest reliability was found to be r = 0.96, Spearman-Brown and Guttman split half reliability was 0.73, and Cronbach’s alpha ranged from (α) 0.71 to 0.88.Implications:This scale would be beneficial for premarital counselors and mental health professionals to understand the sexual orientation of their clients explicitly.

Elobixibat alleviates chronic constipation in hemodialysis patients: a questionnaire-based study

BackgroundHemodialysis patients are prone to constipation, which can adversely affect their quality of life (QOL). Elobixibat, a highly selective inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter, can increase the bile acid level in the colon and, subsequently, enhance colonic motility and secretion. In hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation, it may have a novel action mechanism. However, the effect of elobixibat on such patients’ QOL had not been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of elobixibat on the QOL of hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation.MethodsThis was a multicenter, observational study that used the Japanese version of the Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire on 27 patients (18 men and nine women, age range 47–90 years), who satisfied the Rome 3 diagnostic criteria for functional constipation and were already taking other drugs for constipation. These patients were administered elobixibat 10 mg/day and were asked to respond to the PAC-QOL questionnaire at baseline and after 4 weeks. Bayesian statistics were used to confirm our results.ResultsThe number of spontaneous bowel movements per week increased significantly from 2.6 ± 1.2 to 4.1 ± 2.1 (p < 0.001), and the Bristol Stool Form Scale score significantly improved from 1.9 ± 0.8 to 3.6 ± 0.7 (p < 0.001). The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.95, and the Guttman split-half reliability coefficient was 0.90. There were significant decreases in the physical discomfort scores from 1.94 ± 0.79 to 0.97 ± 0.72 (p < 0.001); psychosocial discomfort from 1.16 ± 0.93 to 0.63 ± 0.58 (p < 0.001); worries/ concerns from 1.84 ± 0.73 to 1.27 ± 0.59 (p < 0.001), and satisfaction from 2.79 ± 0.61 to 1.98 ± 0.77 (p < 0.001). The total PAC-QOL score significantly decreased from 1.83 ± 0.79 to 1.17 ± 0.56 (p < 0.001). Bayesian statistics confirmed the results’ significance.ConclusionsElobixibat reduced the PAC-QOL scores for hemodialysis patients with chronic constipation and improved the patients’ QOL. It may serve as a new option for treating constipation in hemodialysis patients.

Construction and validation of a quality of life tool for pediatric patients of Indian origin with cancer: A single-center prospective study

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important clinical end point in pediatric oncology. The lack of a culture-specific measure to assess the QOL of Indian pediatric patients with cancer has led to this study.Objectives: This study was aimed at constructing and validating a QOL tool for Indian pediatric patients with cancer.Materials and Methods: This was a single-center prospective study conducted at the Cancer Institute, WIA, in Chennai, India, between July and October 2013. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I consisted of generating and drafting of items, face validity, and field and pilot testing. Phase II involved establishing the validity and reliability of the measure. A total of 264 pediatric cancer patients aged 10–17 years were included for the construction of this measure. Factorial analysis, “t” test, Spearman's product moment correlation, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient were employed for data analysis.Results: A reliable, valid, and internally consistent measure containing 31 items named Cancer Institute Pediatric Oncology Quality of Life Questionnaire-31 (CI-Ped Onc QLQ 31) was developed to assess the QOL of pediatric patients with cancer. The Cronbach's alpha and the Guttman split-half reliability of the developed measure were 0.83 and 0.80, respectively. The four factors that emerged after factor analysis (eigenvalues ranging from 7.495 to 1.495 with 46.53% variance) were grouped into three: “physical well-being,” “psychosocial well-being,” and “treatment-related concerns.” Discriminant validity was established within the gender and treatment status.Conclusions: The CI-Ped Onc QLQ 31 was constructed and validated. It was found to be suitable for pediatric patients of Indian origin with cancer. This measure can be used for screening by health professionals across various spectra, to plan interventions and for future research in the field.