Item-level Analyses Research Articles

Development and validation of the Questionnaire of Stressful Life Events (QSLE)

Stressful life events (SLEs) are important indicators prior to the onset of first-episode psychosis (FEP). Although there are well-validated interviews and self-reports for assessing SLE on proximate events, unfortunately there are no instruments to assess SLE covering an entire lifetime. This study includes detailed specific items of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood focused on the presence of SLE, emotional impact (stressfulness), and the age at which the event occurred. Our research describes 2 studies designed to develop and validate a new scale to assess SLE: the Questionnaire of Stressful Life Events (QSLE). In Study 1, an over-inclusive item pool was generated based on review of group of experts at Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu and content validity was examined by an Expert Survey. The whole scale represents the content domain. In Study 2, item-level analyses revealed good distributional properties, intra-rater reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity. In the sensitivity and specificity analysis, 18 items had high relevance in the discriminability between patients with FEP and healthy controls. We note that there was an AUC of 0.676, indicating a good predictor. Using 7 as a cutoff to predict an individual as a patient would yield a sensitivity of 64.8% and a specificity of 65%. Overall, the QSLE displayed satisfactory psychometric characteristics in a Spanish population. These results suggest that QSLE gives us the opportunity to investigate childhood, adolescent, and adult life events by measuring the stress and age at the moment on a continuous scale.

Comparison of parent report and direct assessment of child skills in toddlers

BackgroundThere are unique challenges associated with measuring development in early childhood. Two primary sources of information are used: parent report and direct assessment. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses, particularly when used to identify and diagnose developmental delays. The present study aimed to evaluate consistency between parent report and direct assessment of child skills in toddlers with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across receptive language, expressive language, and fine motor domains. Method109 children were evaluated at an average age of two years; data on child skills were collected via parent report and direct assessment. Children were classified into three groups (i.e., ASD, Other Developmental Disorder, or Typical Development) based on DSM-IV-TR diagnosis. Mixed design ANOVAs, with data source as a within subjects factor and diagnostic group as a between subjects factor, were used to assess agreement. Chi square tests of agreement were then used to examine correspondence at the item level. ResultsResults suggested that parent report of language and fine motor skills did not significantly differ from direct assessment, and this finding held across diagnostic groups. Item level analyses revealed that, in most cases of significant disagreement, parents reported a skill as present, but it was not seen on direct testing. ConclusionsResults indicate that parents are generally reliable reporters of child language and fine motor abilities in toddlerhood, even when their children have developmental disorders such as ASD. However, the fullest picture may be obtained by using both parent report and direct assessment.

Psychometric Evaluation of a Novel Instrument Assessing the Impact of Migraine on Physical Functioning: The Migraine Physical Function Impact Diary.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the measurement properties of the Migraine Physical Function Impact Diary (MPFID), a novel patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure for assessing the impact of migraine on physical functioning. In a prospective, observational study, adults with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM) used an eDiary to complete the MPFID (assessing daily impacts of migraine on physical function) and a headache diary (capturing migraine days, migraine pain intensity, and migraine interference) each day, and other PRO instruments related to migraine. Item-level evaluation, item response theory (IRT), and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) methods were applied to identify domains, select final MPFID items, and develop scoring procedures. Psychometric properties of the final 13-item MPFID were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis and tests of reliability (Cronbach's α for internal consistency and intra-class correlation [ICC] for test-retest) and validity (convergent and known-groups). The study enrolled 569 adults with chronic or episodic migraine, mean (SD) age 39.9 (12.0) years and 87.2% female. Item-level analyses based on interim data informed selection of a set of 13 items for the MPFID, through evaluation of floor/ceiling effects, item-to-item correlations, factor loadings, and IRT-based fit/misfit statistics. Two domain scores (EA: Impact on Everyday Activities; PI: Physical Impairment) and a global item score for impact on everyday activities were identified. EA and PI domains exhibited high internal consistency (α = 0.97; α = 0.93) and good test-retest reliability among stable subjects (ICCs = 0.74 and 0.77). Convergent validity was demonstrated by moderate correlations (r = ±0.50-0.68; P < .0001) between MPFID domain scores and number of migraine days, headache days, bed days, and other migraine-related PRO instruments. EA and PI scores differentiated between groups who varied by number of migraine days, migraine interference levels, migraine pain intensity, and median split groups of scores based on other PROs instruments (P < .05). The MPFID has robust psychometric properties (ie, reliability and validity). Findings supported two distinct domains about the impact of migraine on physical functioning: Impact on Everyday Activities and Physical Impairment. Both domain scores showed evidence of excellent reliability and construct validity in assessing the impacts of migraine on physical functioning.

MEGALEX: A megastudy of visual and auditory word recognition.

Using the megastudy approach, we report a new database (MEGALEX) of visual and auditory lexical decision times and accuracy rates for tens of thousands of words. We collected visual lexical decision data for 28,466 French words and the same number of pseudowords, and auditory lexical decision data for 17,876 French words and the same number of pseudowords (synthesized tokens were used for the auditory modality). This constitutes the first large-scale database for auditory lexical decision, and the first database to enable a direct comparison of word recognition in different modalities. Different regression analyses were conducted to illustrate potential ways to exploit this megastudy database. First, we compared the proportions of variance accounted for by five word frequency measures. Second, we conducted item-level regression analyses to examine the relative importance of the lexical variables influencing performance in the different modalities (visual and auditory). Finally, we compared the similarities and differences between the two modalities. All data are freely available on our website ( https://sedufau.shinyapps.io/megalex/ ) and are searchable at www.lexique.org , inside the Open Lexique search engine.

Structure and validity of measures of decentering and defusion.

Defusion and decentering are related constructs that describe an objective, distanced, and open approach toward one's internal experiences. These constructs are thought to play important protective roles in models of psychopathology, and several common therapeutic interventions include techniques to increase levels of defusion and decentering. However, little research has examined the construct validity or the underlying structure of measures of these constructs. Across 4 samples-3 unselected student samples and 1 clinical sample-we examined 5 self-report measures of defusion/decentering. We found that measures of decentering and defusion were only weakly to modestly associated with each other. Item-level analyses revealed a 2-factor structure, consisting of "Observer Perspective" and "Reduced Struggle with Inner Experience," which generally showed expected and distinct patterns of convergent and discriminant validity, although the latter factor had questionable discriminant validity namely a-namely indices of psychological distress (e.g., neuroticism, negative affect, internalizing symptoms, rumination). The factors also related differently to believability of positive versus negative thoughts, which was partially explained by the overrepresentation of negative items in the measures. Implications for the structure and validity of these constructs, as well as for their assessment and use in clinical settings, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Evaluating the Dimensionality of Self-Determination Theory's Relative Autonomy Continuum.

We conducted a theoretical and psychometric evaluation of self-determination theory's "relative autonomy continuum" (RAC), an important aspect of the theory whose validity has recently been questioned. We first derived a Comprehensive Relative Autonomy Index (C-RAI) containing six subscales and 24 items, by conducting a paired paraphrase content analysis of existing RAI measures. We administered the C-RAI to multiple U.S. and Russian samples, assessing motivation to attend class, study a major, and take responsibility. Item-level and scale-level multidimensional scaling analyses, confirmatory factor analyses, and simplex/circumplex modeling analyses reaffirmed the validity of the RAC, across multiple samples, stems, and studies. Validation analyses predicting subjective well-being and trait autonomy from the six separate subscales, in combination with various higher order composites (weighted and unweighted), showed that an aggregate unweighted RAI score provides the most unbiased and efficient indicator of the overall quality of motivation within the behavioral domain being assessed.

Reliability, Validity, and Responsiveness of InFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO©) Scores in Influenza-Positive Patients

ObjectivesTo assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of InFLUenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO©) scores for quantifying the presence and severity of influenza symptoms. MethodsAn observational prospective cohort study of adults (≥18 years) with influenza-like illness in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and South America was conducted. Participants completed the 37-item draft FLU-PRO daily for up to 14 days. Item-level and factor analyses were used to remove items and determine factor structure. Reliability of the final tool was estimated using Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficients (2-day reliability). Convergent and known-groups validity and responsiveness were assessed using global assessments of influenza severity and return to usual health. ResultsOf the 536 patients enrolled, 221 influenza-positive subjects comprised the analytical sample. The mean age of the patients was 40.7 years, 60.2% were women, and 59.7% were white. The final 32-item measure has six factors/domains (nose, throat, eyes, chest/respiratory, gastrointestinal, and body/systemic), with a higher order factor representing symptom severity overall (comparative fit index = 0.92; root mean square error of approximation = 0.06). Cronbach α was high (total = 0.92; domain range = 0.71–0.87); test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, day 1–day 2) was 0.83 for total scores and 0.57 to 0.79 for domains. Day 1 FLU-PRO domain and total scores were moderately to highly correlated (≥0.30) with Patient Global Rating of Flu Severity (except nose and throat). Consistent with known-groups validity, scores differentiated severity groups on the basis of global rating (total: F = 57.2, P < 0.001; domains: F = 8.9–67.5, P < 0.001). Subjects reporting return to usual health showed significantly greater (P < 0.05) FLU-PRO score improvement by day 7 than did those who did not, suggesting score responsiveness. ConclusionsResults suggest that FLU-PRO scores are reliable, valid, and responsive to change in influenza-positive adults.

MP90-07 THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CITRATE ON THE HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF STONE FORMERS

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: Medical & Dietary Therapy1 Apr 2017MP90-07 THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CITRATE ON THE HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF STONE FORMERS Eric Raffin, Kristina Penniston, Stephen Nakada, Jodi Antonelli, Davis Viprakasit, Timothy Averch, Sri Sivalingam, Roger Sur, Ben Chew, Vincent Bird, Lawrence Dagrosa, Rebecca Smith, and Vernon Pais Eric RaffinEric Raffin More articles by this author , Kristina PennistonKristina Penniston More articles by this author , Stephen NakadaStephen Nakada More articles by this author , Jodi AntonelliJodi Antonelli More articles by this author , Davis ViprakasitDavis Viprakasit More articles by this author , Timothy AverchTimothy Averch More articles by this author , Sri SivalingamSri Sivalingam More articles by this author , Roger SurRoger Sur More articles by this author , Ben ChewBen Chew More articles by this author , Vincent BirdVincent Bird More articles by this author , Lawrence DagrosaLawrence Dagrosa More articles by this author , Rebecca SmithRebecca Smith More articles by this author , and Vernon PaisVernon Pais More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.2826AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Potassium citrate has an established role in medical management of stone disease but many patients have reported unwanted side effects, notably gastrointestinal (GI). It is not currently well understood how the benefits of potassium citrate affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We sought to evaluate the effect of potassium citrate on patients' stone-related HRQOL. METHODS Utilizing the previously validated Wisconsin Stone-QOL questionnaire (WISQOL), a kidney stone-specific instrument, we analyzed cross-sectional data from patients both new to and already established in stone prevention who were enrolled at sites participating in the North American Stone Quality of Life Consortium. We compared HRQOL in the WISQOL domains of social impact, emotional impact, disease impact, and vitality between patients prescribed potassium citrate and those not. In addition to student's t-test, multivariate linear regression controlling for age, gender, BMI, and number of stone events was performed to determine the strength of any differences found. Additionally, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the likelihood of complaints of nausea and stomach upset or cramps between those prescribed and not prescribed potassium citrate. RESULTS 1511 stone formers were included (787 male, 724 female), of whom 258 were on potassium citrate at study enrollment. Patients prescribed potassium citrate scored significantly higher (better HRQOL) in each of the domains. With multivariate analysis, these differences maintained their significance (mean domain scores were higher by 2.5, 2.8, 2.8, 1.3 points, respectively, all p<0.0001). In item-level analysis, patients prescribed potassium citrate were less likely than those not prescribed it to report any nausea, stomach upset or cramps (43% vs 55%, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed a 40% lower likelihood of having GI complaints among patients prescribed potassium citrate, p=0.001, when controlling for the aforementioned factors. CONCLUSIONS Among chronic stone forming patients, the use of potassium citrate is associated with higher HRQOL across all domains of the WISQOL. Those prescribed potassium citrate appear less likely to endorse GI complaints compared to those not. These findings may be useful when encouraging patients to consider initiating potassium citrate therapy. © 2017FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 197Issue 4SApril 2017Page: e1212-e1213 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2017MetricsAuthor Information Eric Raffin More articles by this author Kristina Penniston More articles by this author Stephen Nakada More articles by this author Jodi Antonelli More articles by this author Davis Viprakasit More articles by this author Timothy Averch More articles by this author Sri Sivalingam More articles by this author Roger Sur More articles by this author Ben Chew More articles by this author Vincent Bird More articles by this author Lawrence Dagrosa More articles by this author Rebecca Smith More articles by this author Vernon Pais More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Sex differences in fear of pain: item-level analysis of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire III.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate sex differences in fear of pain (FOP) measured by the Fear of Pain Questionnaire III (FPQ-III) in a nonclinical sample. The FPQ-III is a self-report inventory measuring FOP, with 30 items, divided into three subscales: Severe, Minor and Medical Pain.MethodsA total of 185 subjects participated (49.7% females) in this study. Sex differences on overall FOP, the subscales, and at item level were examined. One-way analysis of variance tested the association between sex and FOP, measured by overall FOP and the subscales. Ordinal regression analysis enabled item-level analysis of the FPQ-III and was conducted to explore further specificity of FOP in males compared to females.ResultsOverall FOP and fear of Severe Pain was significantly higher in females than in males, as measured by the FPQ-Total and the FPQ-Severe. Moreover, females were more likely to report higher FOP than males on 16 items (p<0.05). Further inspection revealed that females scored significantly higher than males on all items on the Severe Pain subscale. When controlling for multiple comparisons six items reached significance (p<0.001). Five of these items belonged to the subscale Severe Pain. When controlling for overall FOP one item, also from the Severe Pain subscale, reached significance (p<0.001).ConclusionThere are sex differences in severe FOP, with higher FOP in females compared to males. Potential explanations are sex differences in the 1) psychosocial mechanisms of fear and anxiety, and 2) emotional reactions to and interpretation of FPQ-III Severe Pain items.

A closer look at the Test of Personal Intelligence (TOPI)

Personal intelligence involves the capacity to reason about personality and personality-related information. Studying ability-based measures of personal intelligence creates a virtuous cycle of better measurement and better theoretical understanding. In Study 1 (N=10,318), we conduct an item-level analysis of the Test of Personal Intelligence (TOPI) to explore people's problem-solving abilities in the area. Personal intelligence divided into a Consistency-Congruency factor that concerned understanding traits and their associated behaviors, and a Dynamic-Analytic factor that involved understanding personality processes and goals. The finding cross-validated in Study 2 (N=8,459). In Study 3 (N=384), we examined correlates of the two factors. Understanding the abilities involved in personal intelligence may help us to educate people about how to better solve problems about personality.

Using Quality of Life Scales with Nutritional Relevance after Gastrectomy: a Challenge for Providing Personalized Treatment.

PurposeThis study evaluated the changes in nutritional status based on quality of life (QoL) item-level analysis to determine whether individual QoL responses might facilitate personal clinical impact.Materials and MethodsThis study retrospectively evaluated QoL data obtained by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Stomach (QLQ-STO22) as well as metabolic-nutritional data obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis and blood tests. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at the 5-year follow-up. QoL was analyzed at the level of the constituent items. The patients were categorized into vulnerable and non-vulnerable QoL groups for each scale based on their responses to the QoL items and changes in the metabolic-nutritional indices were compared.ResultsMultiple shortcomings in the metabolic-nutritional indices were observed in the vulnerable groups for nausea/vomiting (waist-hip ratio, degree of obesity), dyspnea (hemoglobin, iron), constipation (body fat mass, percent body fat), dysphagia (body fat mass, percent body fat), reflux (body weight, hemoglobin), dry mouth (percent body fat, waist-hip ratio), and taste (body weight, total body water, soft lean mass, body fat mass). The shortcomings in a single index were observed in the vulnerable groups for emotional functioning and pain (EORTC QLQ-C30) and for eating restrictions (EORTC QLQ-STO22).ConclusionsLong-term postoperative QoL deterioration in emotional functioning, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, constipation, dysphagia, reflux, eating restrictions, dry mouth, and taste were associated with nutritional shortcomings. QoL item-level analysis, instead of scale-level analysis, may help to facilitate personalized treatment for individual QoL respondents.

Minimal impact of response shift for SF-12 mental and physical health status in homeless and vulnerably housed individuals: an item-level multi-group analysis.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether homeless or vulnerably housed individuals experienced response shift over a 12-month time period in their self-reported physical and mental health status. Data were obtained from the Health and Housing in Transition study, a longitudinal multi-site cohort study in Canada (N=1190 at baseline). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA) and methods for response shift detection at the item level, based on the approach by Oort, were used to test for reconceptualization, reprioritization, and recalibration response shift on the SF-12 in four groups of individuals who were homeless (n=170), housed (n=437), or who reported a change in their housing status [from homeless to housed (n=285) or housed to homeless (n=73)] over a 12-month time period. Mean and variance adjusted weighted-least squares estimation was used to accommodate the ordinal and binary distributions of the SF-12 items. Using MG-CFA, a strict invariance model showed that the measurement model was equivalent for the four groups at baseline. Although we found small but statistically significant response shift for several measurement model parameters, the impact on the predicted average mental and physical health scores within each of the groups was small. Response shift does not appear to be a significant concern when using the SF-12 to obtain change scores over a 12-month period in this population.

Differentiating anxiety and depression: the State-Trait Anxiety-Depression Inventory

ABSTRACTThe differentiation of trait anxiety and depression in nonclinical and clinical populations is addressed. Following the tripartite model, it is assumed that anxiety and depression share a large portion of negative affectivity (NA), but differ with respect to bodily hyperarousal (specific to anxiety) and anhedonia (lack of positive affect; specific to depression). In contrast to the tripartite model, NA is subdivided into worry (characteristic for anxiety) and dysthymia (characteristic for depression), which leads to a four-variable model of anxiety and depression encompassing emotionality, worry, dysthymia, and anhedonia. Item-level confirmatory factor analyses and latent class cluster analysis based on a large nation-wide representative German sample (N = 3150) substantiate the construct validity of the model. Further evidence concerning convergent and discriminant validity with respect to related constructs is obtained in two smaller nonclinical and clinical samples. Factors influencing the association between components of anxiety and depression are discussed.

Reflections of Near-Death Experiences and Deathbed Visions: A Study of Nursing Faculty's Perceptions

Abstract: Nursing faculty across the United States were surveyed about their knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives of near-death experiences (NDEs) and deathbed visions (DBVs) through web-based administration of the Near-Death Phenomena Knowledge and Attitudes Questionnaire (Thornburg, 1988). Of the approximately 550 responses, 13% of respondents indicated that they personally had experiences an NDE, 48% that they have cared for a patient reporting an NDE, and 46% that they have cared for a patient reporting a DBV. Item-level ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the two attitude components of the survey, revealing a complex set of relationships between attitudes, experience, and other individual-level characteristics. The results underscore the importance of ongoing research into near-death phenomena and inclusion of NDEs and DBVs as content areas in nursing curriculum.

조기영어학습이 유아의 영어능력에 미치는 영향: 인지, 성격, 부모요인을 통제한 전향적 연구

조기 영어교육이 필요한 것인지, 그리고 효과가 있는 것인지에 대해서는 2000년대 이후 많은 연구들이 실시되어 왔으나, 상당수 연구들은 통제집단의 부재, 관련변인 통제의 실패, 혹은 간이검사의 사용 등으로 인해 해석의 어려움이 존재했다. 본 연구는 8개월간의 영어학습 프로그램이 유아의 영어능력에 유의미한 효과를 미치는 지를 알아보기 위해 미국에서 공식 언어검사로 가장 많이 사용되고 있는 WIDA검사를 사용하여 개입집단과 통제집단의 영어능력치를 3회에 걸쳐 측정하였다. 또 영어학습이 본격화 되기 이전의 아동의 한국어 능력, 지능, 성격변인, 그리고 부모의 사회경제적 변인 및 영어교육에 대한 태도를 측정하고 이를 통제하여 영어학습만의 고유효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 3차 검사를 완료한 39명의 유아들의 영어능력을 분석한 결과, 개입집단은 수용언어 발달과 표현언어 발달에 있어 관련변인의 효과를 통제한 후에도 여전히 통제집단 유아에 비해 우수하였다. 하지만 이러한 효과는 영어검사의 정답문항 수에 근거하였을 때에만 유의미하였으며, 집단간 질적인 측면에서 유의미한 변화는 발견되지 않았다. 본 연구의 결과는 단순 노출교육이라 하더라도 조기영어교육은 최소한 단기간 효과가 있음을 시사한다. Although a number of studies have been conducted in Korea since 2000 on the impact of early English education, their interpretation is still not conclusive, due to their lack of control groups and failure to control for third factors and use valid measurements. The present study was designed to examine the effect of an English education program on young children's English proficiency after 8 months using the most well-known official English proficiency measure, the WIDA for kindergarteners. In addition, the children's Korean language proficiency, cognitive abilities, personality, parents' SES, and parents' attitudinal variables before the education were measured and controlled. The results indicated that the intervention group performed better than the control group in both listening and speaking skills, even when all relevant factors were considered. This effect, however, was only found in the item-level analyses.

Validation and Reliability of the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire

WISQOL (Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life questionnaire) is a disease specific, health related quality of life measure designed for patients who form kidney stones. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the external and convergent validity of WISQOL and assess its psychometric properties. At the WISQOL creation site (development sample) and at 8 geographically diverse centers in the United States and Canada (consortium sample) patients with a history of kidney stones were recruited. Item response option variability, correlation patterns and internal consistency were compared between samples. Convergent validity was assessed by patients who completed both WISQOL and SF-36v2® (36-Item Short Form Health Survey, version 2). Results were analyzed in 1,609 patients, including 275 in the development sample and 1,334 in the consortium sample. Response option variability patterns of all items were acceptable. Internal WISQOL consistency was acceptable. Intersample score comparisons revealed few differences. For both samples the domain-total WISQOL score correlations exceeded 0.86. Item level analyses demonstrated suitable variation, allowing for discriminatory scoring. At the time that they completed WISQOL, patients with stones and stone related symptoms scored lowest for health related quality of life. Patients with stones but no symptoms and those with no stones scored higher. The convergent validity substudy confirmed the ability of WISQOL to identify stone specific decrements in health related quality of life that were not identified on SF-36v2. WISQOL is internally consistent and discriminates among patients with different stone statuses and symptoms. WISQOL is externally valid across the North American population. It may be used for multicenter health related quality of life studies in kidney stone disease.

Burnout in the neonatal intensive care unit and its relation to healthcare-associated infections

Objective:To examine burnout prevalence among California neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and to test the relation between burnout and healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates.Study Design:Retrospective observational study of provider perceptions of burnout from 2073 nurse practitioners, physicians, registered nurses and respiratory therapists, using a validated four-item questionnaire based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The relation between burnout and HAI rates among VLBW (<1500 g) neonates from each NICU was evaluated using multi-level logistic regression analysis with patient-level factors as fixed effects.Results:We found variable prevalence of burnout across the NICUs surveyed (mean 25.2±10.1%). Healthcare-associated infection rates were 8.3±5.1% during the study period. Highest burnout prevalence was found among nurses, nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists (non-physicians, 28±11% vs 17±19% physicians), day shift workers (30±3% vs 25±4% night shift) and workers with 5 or more years of service (29±2% vs 16±6% in fewer than 3 years group). Overall burnout rates showed no correlation with risk-adjusted rates of HAIs (r=−0.133). Item-level analysis showed positive association between HAIs and perceptions of working too hard (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.28). Sensitivity analysis of high-volume NICUs suggested a moderate correlation between burnout prevalence and HAIs (r=0.34).Conclusion:Burnout is most prevalent among non-physicians, daytime workers and experienced workers. Perceptions of working too hard associate with increased HAIs in this cohort of VLBW infants, but overall burnout prevalence is not predictive.

Assessing decision-making style in French-speaking populations: Translation and validation of the general decision-making style questionnaire

IntroductionIndividual differences in decision-making are a fundamental component of our understanding of the decision-making process. Scott and Bruce (1995) developed the General Decision-Making Style (GDMS) questionnaire to assess five decision-making styles: rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant, and spontaneous. ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to translate and validate the GDMS into French. This measure has been used frequently to assess decision-making style since its creation. Yet, the scale is currently unavailable in French despite being already available in Slovak, Italian, and Swedish. MethodFollowing best practices for scale translation (e.g., Vallerand, 1989), the original version of the GDMS was administered to a group of 345 English-speaking participants and the translated version of the questionnaire was administered to a group of 325 French-speaking participants. ResultsThe properties of the translated questionnaire were then compared to those of the original questionnaire. Results of item-level, scale-level and measurement invariance analyses demonstrate that the translated measure, the Échelle des styles décisionnels, is a valid and reliable assessment of decision-making style in French-speaking populations. ConclusionThis measure already exists in languages that are much less commonly spoken than French. The newly translated Échelle des styles décisionnels will now allow researchers to validly assess decision-making style in French-speaking populations, thereby greatly increasing the ability to assess cross-cultural stability of decision-making theories.

The Chinese Lexicon Project: A megastudy of lexical decision performance for 25,000+ traditional Chinese two-character compound words.

Using a megastudy approach, we developed a database of lexical variables and lexical decision reaction times and accuracy rates for more than 25,000 traditional Chinese two-character compound words. Each word was responded to by about 33 native Cantonese speakers in Hong Kong. This resource provides a valuable adjunct to influential mega-databases, such as the Chinese single-character, English, French, and Dutch Lexicon Projects. Three analyses were conducted to illustrate the potential uses of the database. First, we compared the proportion of variance in lexical decision performance accounted for by six word frequency measures and established that the best predictor was Cai and Brysbaert's (PLoS One, 5, e10729, 2010) contextual diversity subtitle frequency. Second, we ran virtual replications of three previously published lexical decision experiments and found convergence between the original experiments and the present megastudy. Finally, we conducted item-level regression analyses to examine the effects of theoretically important lexical variables in our normative data. This is the first publicly available large-scale repository of behavioral responses pertaining to Chinese two-character compound word processing, which should be of substantial interest to psychologists, linguists, and other researchers.

Item-level analysis of the structure of thought pathology

Item-level analysis of the structure of thought pathology