Listening effort and listening-related fatigue are clinically important yet rarely assessed in routine audiology. This study culturally adapted the Effort Assessment Scale (EAS) into Chinese and psychometrically evaluated the Chinese EAS (C-EAS) and the 10-item Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale for Adults-10 (C-VFS-A-10) in Chinese-speaking adults. Associations with better-ear pure-tone average (PTA), tinnitus, and key demographic factors were also examined. A two-phase study was conducted. Phase 1 followed established guidelines to translate and culturally adapt the EAS. Phase 2 was a cross-sectional validation in 701 adults recruited from a tertiary hospital in China (normal hearing, n = 180; unilateral hearing loss, n = 22; bilateral hearing loss, n = 499). A subsample of 85 participants with hearing loss completed repeat testing over 7 to 21 days to assess test-retest reliability. All participants completed the C-EAS, C-VFS-A-10, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly/Adults-Screening version (HHIE/A-S), and pure-tone audiometry. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factor analyses, convergent validity with PTA and HHIE/A-S, and item response theory (IRT) modeling, alongside ANCOVA and multivariable regression. Both scales showed excellent internal consistency and high short-interval stability. Scale-specific confirmatory factor analyses supported essential unidimensionality adequate for total-score use. Convergent validity was supported by moderate associations with better-ear PTA and HHIE/A-S (ρ = 0.47 to 0.63). Item-level diagnostics indicated localized local dependence for both instruments. For the C-EAS, item-level IRT parameter estimates were unstable under local dependence, supporting the use of summed total scores. For the C-VFS-A-10, a graded-response testlet model produced stable item parameters and high measurement precision across the range where most respondents fell. Scores on both measures increased with hearing-loss severity. In multivariable models, higher better-ear PTA and tinnitus independently predicted higher effort and fatigue scores, while age showed a small additional association with effort only. The C-EAS and C-VFS-A-10 are reliable, culturally adapted measures of listening effort and listening-related fatigue for Chinese-speaking adults. Associations with better-ear PTA and tinnitus support clinical relevance.

The diagnosis and severity of substance use disorders (SUDs) are classified by the number of criteria endorsed. However, environmental and genetic factors may influence criterion endorsement. To evaluate this, we tested for differential item functioning of SUDs criteria by adverse childhood events (ACEs) and SUD polygenic scores. In 10,275 Yale-Penn participants (Mage = 40.59 years, 56.2% male, 47.21% of African-like genetic ancestry, 52.79% of European-like genetic ancestry), we used item response theory models to estimate difficulty and discrimination parameters for each criterion for alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use disorders. We then tested whether these properties varied based on scores on a latent ACEs factor and ancestry-specific polygenic scores using moderated nonlinear factor analyses. There was variability in the difficulty and discrimination of SUD criteria. Many criteria discriminated less effectively among individuals with higher ACEs factor scores. Continued substance use despite physical/psychological problems (β = .08, SE = 0.01, p < .0001) and withdrawal (β = .07, SE = 0.02, p = .001) were more difficult to endorse for individuals with high ACEs scores than those with lower ACEs scores. No differential item functioning was identified by polygenic scores. Findings highlight the impact of ACEs on SUD assessment. Considering the relative weighting of criteria or developing screening procedures that consider subgroup-specific differences in symptom functioning may help address these biases. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

While the Trust in Physicians Scale demonstrates strong reliability and validity in previous findings, further research is necessary to continue evaluating item response theory parameters and the effects of social desirability. Undergraduate participants (N = 730) between 17 and 48 years of age (M = 18.41, SD = 1.63) completed the Trust in Physicians questionnaire and criterion validity measures. Results from Gulliksen's Pool indicated suitability for factor analysis and goodness of fit was appropriate for a unidimensional model (GFI = 1.00; RMSEA = .09; CFI = .98). When controlling for social desirability, factor loadings ranged from .39 to .84 for the Trust in Physicians factor. Loadings on the social desirability control scale ranged from .08 to .25, suggesting positive links with trust in physician and social desirability. Item response theory analyses under Samejima's graded response model reveal item discrimination values between .42 and 1.71 (m = 1.01). Proper measurement may enable physicians to identify patients who may require attention to therapeutic rapport.

Assessing entrepreneurial calling in Hungary: An investigation of the psychometric properties of the Calling Scale (CS).

Dementia care insights: An item response theory approach to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in long-term care.

Living with chronic heart failure (CHF) implies physical consequences but also alterations in personal identity, family and social roles, and spiritual needs. No patient-reported outcome measures have been identified to know the meaning of living with CHF for the person. The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish Version of the Experience of Living with CHF-University of Navarra Scale using a Spanish-speaking population. An observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study with retesting was conducted among 299 patients with CHF from five hospitals. Data quality, acceptability, and reliability were tested using techniques from classical test theory. Fit to the Rasch model, reliability, unidimensionality, item local independency, adequacy of response scale, and differential item functioning were tested following item response theory. The sample included 63% men, with a mean age of 69.34 years. The scale resulted in 30 items and five dimensions. Cronbach's alpha values ranged from 0.73 to 0.85, and the intraclass correlation coefficient from 0.79 to 0.87. Direct summative and linear scores could be calculated for each subscale. This is the first scale that favors knowledge on the experience of living with CHF.

Development and validation of the eight item contrast avoidance questionnaire-general emotion scale (CAQ-GE-8): An item-response theory analysis.

ABSTRACT Fan engagement extends beyond the competitive season, yet existing measures largely focus on in-season behaviors. This study conceptualizes off-season fan engagement (OFE) as a distinct form of engagement that sustains fans’ psychological connection to a sport team during periods without live competition. Following a multi-stage scale development procedure, we developed and validated a measure of OFE. Qualitative online focus groups were conducted to explore off-season fan behaviors, and an initial item pool was generated and refined through expert evaluation. Rasch model analysis (n = 211) supported appropriate item functioning and response category performance. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 244) validated a three-dimensional structure, demonstrating strong reliability as well as convergent and discriminant validity. A subsequent validation test (n = 257) provided additional support for criterion-related validity through positive associations between OFE dimensions and team identification. The findings highlight the unique processes underlying off-season fan engagement and introduce a psychometrically sound instrument for examining and enhancing fan engagement beyond the competition season.

Prediction of musculoskeletal discomfort through integration of item response theory and machine learning

Calibrating limitation features and dependence levels in basic activities of daily living among individuals with dementia: an item response theory-based analysis.

Introduction Teaching confidence is a critical determinant of instructional quality, teacher attitudes, and student outcomes, particularly in inclusive and special education contexts. This study validated a multidimensional Teaching Confidence Scale for primary special education teachers, encompassing Mathematics/Science Instruction, Instructional Innovation, and Classroom Management. Methods Using an Item Response Theory (IRT) framework, we examined the scale’s dimensional structure and psychometric properties in a sample of 305 primary special education teachers working in inclusive settings. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported a robust three-factor model with excellent fit ( RMSEA = 0.027, CFI = 0.994, TLI = 0.956). Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.62 to 0.91 across domains, indicating strong item–factor relationships. Reliability was consistently high, with Cronbach’s α values ranging from 0.83 to 0.97 and McDonald’s ω from 0.92 to 0.98 (AVE = 0.50–0.77). IRT analyses using the Generalized Partial Credit Model indicated satisfactory item fit (RMSEA &amp;lt; 0.05), moderate to high discrimination parameters particularly for Mathematics/Science Instruction and Instructional Innovation and minimal differential item functioning across teacher groups. Discussion Overall, the findings support the Teaching Confidence Scale as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing domain-specific teaching confidence in primary special education, with implications for teacher professional development, inclusive practice, and future research.

In educational assessments, testlet-based designs are widely used but often violate the local independence assumption of item response theory (IRT). This work proposes a flexible Bayesian approach for modeling local item dependence (LID) in testlet data, using a multivariate two-parameter probit IRT model with a structured correlation matrix defined via antedependence models. By incorporating Toeplitz structures, the model captures nuanced within-testlet dependencies. We implement an efficient posterior sampling scheme using the No-U-Turn Sampler via Stan package. A simulation study shows accurate parameter recovery and reduced bias in the presence of LID. In addition, we provide applications to real educational datasets, including large-scale assessments in Brazil, in which we show that our approach yields more interpretable and stable parameter estimates compared to standard IRT models.

This study evaluated the factor structure of a measure of mental health literacy (MHL) tailored to the role of helping professionals and assessed its association with help-seeking intentions among a sample of 946 child-serving professionals. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to model different factor structures of MHL for supporting youth, item response theory examined item discrimination, and structural equation modeling tested the relationship between MHL for supporting youth and help-seeking intentions. Results provided support for a higher order factor of MHL for supporting youth, with four first-order factors (i.e., mental health knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, perceived behavior control, subjective peer norms). Item discrimination varied across observed items and first-order factors. The second-order, multidimensional MHL factor was positively correlated with help-seeking intentions. These findings provide an initial step in validating a measure of MHL that accounts for the specific work roles and population characteristics unique to at-risk youth and aligns with prior definitions of MHL and the Theory of Planned Behavior. Future research should seek to replicate these findings across diverse service settings.

OBJECTIVE: To psychometrically validate the Spanish version of the Paykel Suicidal Behavior Scale in the Mexican adolescent population, and to establish an optimal cut-off point to identify risk of suicidal behavior in school contexts. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 with a non-probabilistic sample of 1,407 students from eight public high schools in the state of Morelos, Mexico. The mean age was 17 years, 58.7% were female and 41.3% were male. The students completed an online questionnaire that included the Paykel Suicidal Behavior Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. A confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory, factorial invariance analysis (by sex, gender identity, and school grade), divergent validity analysis, and ROC curves were applied in this study. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis was found to be acceptable. The factor loadings ranged from 0.799 to 0.938. Item discrimination parameters were elevated (2.33 to 6.63), with difficulties ranging from 0.17 to 1.11. Factor invariance was confirmed in all subgroups. The divergent validity of the Paykel Suicidal Behavior Scale was satisfactory, as evidenced by its moderate correlations with the Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (r = 0.507), depression (r = 0.644), anxiety (r = 0.570), and stress (r = 0.541). ROC analysis identified an optimal cutoff point of ≥ 1.0, with sensitivity of 75.93% and specificity of 76.54%. CONCLUSION: The Mexican version of the Paykel Suicidal Behavior Scale demonstrates robust psychometric properties, including validity, reliability, and factorial invariance in the adolescent school population. The scale's brevity, clarity, and ease of application make it an effective tool for school screening, allowing for timely detection and referral to mental health services. Its use is recommended in adolescent suicide prevention programs in educational contexts in Mexico.

This study aimed to construct a scale to investigate students' attitudes towards online learning in light of Item Response Theory (IRT). An analytical descriptive approach was adopted. A scale consisting of 33 items was developed, and after ensuring its validity and reliability, it was transformed into an electronic version via Google Drive. Social media websites were used to distribute the survey to the targeted population. The selected sample comprised 596 students from Jordanian universities during the academic year 2023/2024. After administering the scale to the main sample, exploratory factor analysis was conducted, revealing that a single trait underlies the performance on this scale, indicating the assumption of one-dimensionality. The scree plot supported this finding. Both content and construct validity were confirmed. The reliability coefficient, measured by Cronbach's Alpha, was 0.853, which is considered suitable for the study sample. Additionally, the standard measurement error was calculated at 0.005, indicating an appropriate reliability indicator. Reliability within the framework of IRT was also high, reaching 0.842. The results from Exametrika V55 software showed good fit indices for the scale items to the Graded Response Model (GRM), except for one item, which was omitted from the scale.

Response Time Threshold Methods (RTTMs) are widely used to identify rapid-guessing behavior (RG) in low-stakes assessments, yet face two key challenges: (a) inevitable misclassifications due to overlapping response time distributions of engaged and disengaged responses, and (b) lack of agreement on which method to use under varying conditions. This simulation study evaluated five RTTMs. Item responses and response times were generated from either a one-component model without RG or a two-component mixture model with RG in the population. Distribution, item, and person parameters were varied. Results showed that when the population contained RG, the mixture lognormal distribution-based method (MLN) was the most robust approach and estimated precise thresholds closest to the time points at which the misclassification rates were minimized, even when bimodality was more difficult to detect. The cumulative proportion method (CUMP) was less robust but also accurate when successful, though less precise. In addition, when the population did not include RG, CUMP was the only method to set thresholds for a notable proportion of cases. The methods were generally more conservative than liberal, though the mixture response time quantile method (MRTQ) was neither. The results are discussed in the light of prior RG research and the methods' characteristics, and future directions are suggested. Ultimately, for practical settings, we recommend a six-step process for RG identification that utilizes both a mixture modeling approach (MLN or MRTQ) and the CUMP method.

Assessment is a crucial component of education, measuring student learning. Multiple-choice tests are one of the most common assessment methods, and their thorough analysis is essential to ensure fairness and accuracy. When measuring environmental literacy among high school students, the psychometric quality of the instruments must be carefully studied to ensure they truly reflect student competence. The Rasch model, a part of Item Response Theory, is a powerful tool for evaluating item quality by examining the fit of student responses to the Model's expectations and determining item difficulty. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument to measure environmental literacy among Grade XI students using the Rasch model. The developed tool encompasses knowledge, thinking skills, attitudes, and actions related to the environment. The Point-Measure Correlation results indicated a positive relationship between student ability and their responses, although some items were identified as needing revision for improved performance. The average match between the Model's predictions and the actual student responses was 73.5%, signifying that most of the data aligned with the Model's expectations. This research provides a robust framework for the psychometric evaluation of assessment tools in science education.

Surgical education requires assessment tools as part of competency-based education (CBE). In robotic surgery, objective performance indicators (OPIs) are a novel objective method of measuring surgeon performance. We developed Video and Objective Robotic Task Evaluation indeX on Superior Pulmonary Vein dissection (VORTEX-SPV), combining video review and OPIs, to assess cardiothoracic (CT) fellow competency on SPV dissection during lobectomy. CT fellows performed robotic lobectomy on an ex vivo perfused porcine model. Synchronized video and kinematic data were captured. Seven thoracic surgery attendings completed the robotic lobectomy to provide expert-level OPI data. VORTEX-SPV is a 12-item assessment with 4 performance levels including completion, safety, economy of motion, and optimized performance. We scored video-based review items (items 1 to 6) as 0 or 1 with an inter-rater agreement of 91%. We calculated OPIs from 6 categories (e.g., wrist articulation, instrument movement, energy, smoothness, clutching, instrument time) as within (1) or beyond (0) 2 standard deviations of the expert mean. We used Rasch modeling and item response theory to evaluate reliability and validity. We assessed 2 cohorts of CT fellows (2019, n = 50; 2023, n = 59). There were 60% (65 of 109) who had complete data. Reliability was high (expected a posteriori = 0.90). Fourteen trainees scored up to the level of completion, 10 at safety, 17 at economy of motion, and 24 achieved optimized performance. All items appropriately increased in difficulty (Spearman's rho coefficient = 0.93). VORTEX-SPV combines video review and objective performance data with strong reliability and validity evidence, serving as a robotic surgery assessment framework to facilitate CBE.

Item response theory modeling and confirmatory factor analysis of the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM-24) with a North American sample.

Fetal development is a vulnerable period for exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, certified analytical standards do not exist for many PFAS, limiting our ability to quantify overall exposure burden to PFAS as a chemical class. PFAS-focused nontargeted analysis (NTA) enables detection of PFAS for which chemical standards may not exist. The overall objectives of this study were to provide a more comprehensive picture of PFAS exposure in cord blood, develop cumulative exposure burden scores for the PFAS detected, and evaluate differences in the infant's PFAS burden score with respect to mother's parity. We measured PFAS using targeted and NTA methods in cord blood samples collected between 2003 and 2006 in the HOME Study (Cincinnati, Ohio). Using NTA, we putatively identified 42 PFAS in cord blood, 4 of which were also detected in targeted analysis. We summarized an infant's overall prenatal exposure burden to PFAS using item response theory methods. We constructed two scores, one based on PFAS concentrations from targeted analysis ("PFAS exposure burden scores"), and one based on relative abundance from NTA ("PFAS-omics scores"). As expected, infants with multiparous mothers had significantly lower PFAS exposure burden scores than those with nulliparous mothers, but these disparities were not present when comparing their PFAS-omics scores. Our results show that infants are exposed to a wide range of PFAS, including perfluorinated chemicals, polyfluorinated chemicals, and fluorotelomers, before birth. Further, PFAS-focused NTA can help estimate total exposure to PFAS. Lastly, reported disparities in PFAS exposure burden across parity may depend on the panel of assessed PFAS and their half-lives.