Principal Axis Factor Analysis Research Articles

Social relationships and PTSD symptomatology in combat veterans.

The primary purpose of this study is to determine if recent combat veterans discriminate between different sources of social support, and then preliminarily investigate the relationship of social support source on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology. Participants included 83 married male combat veterans. Principal-axis factor analysis with equamax rotation observed four distinct latent factors for each source of support examined. ANOVAs were performed to determine the relationship of each source of support from the distinct latent factors on the level of PTSD. Results indicate that the level of PTSD is related to support received from a significant other, F(1, 81) 30.36, p .001, family, F(1, 81) 8.10, p .006, and military peers, F(1, 81) 6.70, p .011, but not friends, F(1, 81) 1.79, p .18. In general, higher levels of support from each category were associated with lower levels of PTSD in combat veterans. The results suggest that combat veterans distinguish between specific sources of social support, which may have a protective effect on the level of PTSD.

Metacognitive Inventory for nursing students in Taiwan: instrument development and testing

This paper is a report of the development and testing of an instrument that measures metacognitive abilities of nursing students. Metacognition refers to an individual's knowledge, awareness and command of thinking and learning strategies. Nursing students are challenged to think and learn in ways that will prepare them for practical work in a complex healthcare environment. Nursing educators have the responsibility to produce graduates who possess and use metacognitive skills to facilitate the solving of ill-structured problems using a variety of mental processes, such as reasoning, judgment and creativity. In 2007, the Metacognitive Inventory for Nursing Students was developed, based on previous instruments, and administered to a sample of 802 senior nursing students in two nursing colleges and a university in Taiwan. Principal axis factor analysis and other statistical tests were performed to test the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Preliminary analysis reduced the original 40 items to 28. Five factors were retained, accounting for 53·09% of the variance, and these five factors were identified as self-monitoring, self-modification, self-awareness, effective learning and problem-solving. The resultant Metacognitive Inventory achieved good internal consistency reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0·94 and the coefficient for the five factors ranged from 0·73 to 0·90. Nurse educators in Taiwan could use the Metacognitive Inventory for Nursing Students to assess students and facilitate metacognitive skill development in classrooms and in practice settings.

Development of the Ethnic and Racial Socialization of Transracial Adoptee Scale

Objectives: This study describes the development and initial validation of the 15-item Ethnic and Racial Socialization of Transracial Adoptee Scale (ERSTAS). Method: Using the model of Boykin and Tom on Black family socialization, the items were developed and validated using two different Asian adoptee samples. Results: Two subscales, ethnic socialization and racial socialization, were identified through principal axis factor (PAF) analysis. The ERSTAS and its subscales demonstrate strong internal consistency as well as discriminant validity and correlate significantly with ethnic identity measures. Although the racial socialization subscale was significantly related to self-esteem and depression, the total scale and the Ethnic Socialization subscale scores were not. Conclusions: The ERSTA is a relatively short, easy-to-use, and theoretically developed measure. The initial psychometric properties of the scale highlight its utility within the transracial adoptee group.

Disorganization/Cognitive and Negative Symptom Dimensions in the At-Risk Mental State Predict Subsequent Transition to Psychosis

The at-risk mental state (ARMS) is associated with a very high risk of psychosis, but it is difficult to predict which individuals will later develop psychosis on the basis of their presenting symptoms. We investigated psychopathological dimensions in subjects with an ARMS and examined whether particular symptom dimensions predicted subsequent transition to psychosis. The sample comprised 122 subjects (aged 16-35 years) meeting Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation clinic criteria for the ARMS recruited through Outreach and Support in South London, a clinical service for people with an ARMS. A principal axis factor analysis was performed on symptom scores, obtained at presentation from the Comprehensive Assessment of the At-Risk Mental State, using Varimax rotation. The relationship between dimension scores and transition to psychosis during the following 24 months was then examined employing Cox regression analysis. Factor analysis gave rise to a 5-factor solution of negative, anxiety, disorganization/cognitive, self-harm, and manic symptom dimensions, accounting for 37% of the total variance. Scores on the negative and on the disorganization/cognitive dimensions were associated with transition to psychosis during the follow-up period (P = 0.044 and P = 0.005, respectively). The symptoms of the ARMS have a dimensional structure similar to that evident in patients with schizophrenia except for the positive symptom dimension. The association between scores on the disorganization/cognitive and negative dimensions and later transition is consistent with independent evidence that formal thought disorder, subjective cognitive impairments, and negative symptoms are linked to the subsequent onset of psychosis.

Psychometric Properties of the Purdue Pharmacist Directive Guidance (PPDG) Scale in a Sample of Diabetes Patients in the Southwestern United States

Despite the fairly widespread adoption of the 10-item Purdue Pharmacist Directive Guidance Scale (PPDG) over the last decade, only one study has assessed its psychometric properties. The present study examined the validity and reliability of the scale in a sample of 99 diabetic patients in the Southwestern United States. Principal axis factor analysis with Varimax rotation yielded two factors, "Instruction" and "Feedback and Goal Setting," similar to those found when the scale was originally developed. Cronbach's alphas for the total scale and the two factors were 0.95, 0.95, and 0.92, respectively. The scale and the two factors correlated significantly and positively with number of visits by patients to the pharmacist in the past 3 mo. These results provide further evidence for the internal consistency, and construct and criterion-related validities of the scale.

PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE PURDUE PHARMACIST DIRECTIVE GUIDANCE (PPDG) SCALE IN A SAMPLE OF DIABETES PATIENTS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES1

Despite the fairly widespread adoption of the 10-item Purdue Pharmacist Directive Guidance Scale (PPDG) over the last decade, only one study has assessed its psychometric properties. The present study examined the validity and reliability of the scale in a sample of 99 diabetic patients in the Southwestern United States. Principal axis factor analysis with Varimax rotation yielded two factors, “Instruction” and “Feedback and Goal Setting,” similar to those found when the scale was originally developed. Cronbach's alphas for the total scale and the two factors were 0.95, 0.95, and 0.92, respectively. The scale and the two factors correlated significantly and positively with number of visits by patients to the pharmacist in the past 3 mo. These results provide further evidence for the internal consistency, and construct and criterion-related validities of the scale.

Hedonic and utilitarian shopping motivations among Portuguese young adult consumers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the main factors that explained the shopping motivations among Portuguese consumers and to categorize possible groups based on those dimensions. The paper also intends to confirm the results obtained in previous studies carried out in the USA, applying their measure instruments to a sample of young adult Portuguese consumers.Design/methodology/approachThe authors performed a quantitative analysis by means of a personal survey using a sample of Portuguese undergraduate students. Principal axis factoring and cluster analysis were carried out to identify main dimensions in shopping motivations and categorize shopper groups.FindingsThe paper identifies seven shopping dimensions: “Pleasure and gratification shopping”, “Idea Shopping”, “Social Shopping”, “Role shopping”, “Value Shopping”, “Achievement” and “Efficiency”. Based on these factors, the paper finds five groups of consumers: “Social shopper”, “Dynamic Shopper”, “Pragmatic Shopper”, “Moderate shopper” and “Involved Shopper”. The findings on the whole confirm the results obtained in previous studies carried out in the USA. This fact contributes to the validation of this motivations framework showing its application on different contexts.Practical implicationsThe paper may contribute to the knowledge of the South European consumer, and states some implications for the international retail chains that work, or intend to work, in this region. Based on the shopper groups, the paper suggests some marketing communication strategies and tactics for retailers.Originality/valueThe results confirm the results obtained in the USA by Arnold and Reynolds and Kim. These findings demonstrate the international applicability of those authors' scales. The paper also proposes a new Portuguese young adult consumer profile based on hedonistic and utilitarian shopping motivations.

Prevalence, self‐care behaviors, and self‐care activities for peripheral neuropathy symptoms of HIV/AIDS

As part of a larger randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual (n = 775), this study examined the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in HIV-infected individuals at 12 sites in the USA, Puerto Rico, and Africa. Neuropathy was reported by 44% of the sample; however, only 29.4% reported initiating self-care behaviors to address the neuropathy symptoms. Antiretroviral therapy was found to increase the frequency of neuropathy symptoms, with an increased mean intensity of 28%. A principal axis factor analysis with Promax rotation was used to assess the relationships in the frequency of use of the 18 self-care activities for neuropathy, revealing three distinct factors: (i) an interactive self-care factor; (ii) a complementary medicine factor; and (iii) a third factor consisting of the negative health items of smoking, alcohol, and street drugs. The study's results suggest that peripheral neuropathy is a common symptom and the presence of neuropathy is associated with self-care behaviors to ameliorate HIV symptoms. The implications for nursing practice include the assessment and evaluation of nursing interventions related to management strategies for neuropathy.

Significance of the 100-point scale to evaluate perceived tobacco dependence

Smoking cessation is one of the primary targets for risk reduction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It also leads to the prevention of workers' illness or disability. Validation of a 100-point scale to evaluate perceived tobacco dependence was conducted using a 10-item questionnaire (the Tobacco Dependence Screener; TDS), a 6-item questionnaire (Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence; FTND), and determining the salivary levels of cotinine at Japanese workplaces. A total of 1023 male smokers completed the TDS and FTND and scored themselves on the 100-point scale for tobacco dependence (Study 1). Of the subjects participating in Study 1, 282 male smokers from one workplace presented saliva samples, and the salivary nicotine and cotinine levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (Study 2). After conducting principal axis factor analysis, multiple regression analysis was employed to clarify the association between the score on the 100-point scale for perceived tobacco dependence and several factors such as age, the TDS score, the FTND score, and the salivary cotinine level. The mean age for the subjects was 40.3 years. The mean salivary cotinine level was 235.4 ng/ml, and it increased significantly with increase in the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the TDS and FTND were 0.77 and 0.64, respectively. A ROC analysis indicated a cutoff point for the score on the 100-point scale of 61, which yielded a positive result on the TDS ( 5) with 65.7% sensitivity and 70.0% specificity. When FTND 4 was adopted as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity became 68.7% and 73.2%, respectively. Three factors were extracted by principal axis factor analysis, explaining 42% of the total variation. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the score on the 100-point scale for evaluating tobacco dependence was positively associated with the TDS and FTND scores, and negatively associated with the age. The adjusted multiple correlation coefficient was 0.262. The 100-point scale, which is a simple and easy tool to evaluate tobacco dependence, must be used in combination with other tobacco dependence questionnaires such as TDS and FTND and also the salivary cotinine level as a biological marker of tobacco exposure to conduct multi-dimensional education to promote smoking cessation.

The Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndrome

ObjectiveThe Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndrome (SIPS) from Yale University is intended to diagnose prodromal syndrome of psychosis and to measure the severity of prodromal symptoms. Here, a Korean version of SIPS is presented, and its reliability, validity, and factor structures are examined using a representative Korean sample.MethodsThe Korean version of SIPS was administered to 40 participants over a period of 1 year. The inter-rater reliability and internal consistency of the SIPS were then evaluated. In addition, its factor structure was investigated using principal-axis factor analysis. Concurrent validity was explored using Pearson correlation coefficients with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).ResultsOf the 40 subjects, 12.5% developed psychotic disorders during the 1-year follow-up period. Inter-rater reliability was good (intra-class correlations=0.96), and internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha=0.83). A three-factor resolution displayed the best simple structure and accounted for 52.6% of all item variance. Factors 1 and 2 showed strong correlations with negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction, respectively, on the PANSS. Factor 3 was not correlated with any factor on the PANSS.ConclusionThe Korean version of SIPS is a reliable instrument for the assessment of prodromal symptoms in subjects and may be used to evaluate prodromal psychosis.

Evaluation of the factor structure and construct validity of scores on the Male Role Norms Inventory—Revised (MRNI-R).

This article reports the results of an evaluation of the factor structure, reliability, and construct validity of the Male Role Norms Inventory—Revised (MRNI–R). Results of a principal-axis factor analysis with 593 undergraduate participants (341 men, 251 women, 1 other) support the hypothesized factor dimensionality and, to a lesser extent, item placement. Evidence was found for internal consistency of the MRNI–R total score and the seven factor scores. Analyses of the men’s scores provided evidence for convergent validity through a significant correlation of the MRNI–R with the Male Role Attitudes Scale; for divergent validity, through the nonsignificant correlation with the Personal Attributes Questionnaire; and for concurrent validity, through the significant correlations with the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory, the Gender Role Conflict Scale, and the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale.

Learning About Leaders: Exploring and Measuring Leadership Qualities in Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

The purpose of this study is to describe leadership qualities of grandparents and other relatives raising children and to determine if the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) is appropriate for assessing leadership for grandparents and other relatives raising children. This study reports the results of the LPI and a factor analysis to describe leadership qualities and test psychometric properties of the LPI. Subjects are 60 kinship caregivers attending advocacy trips to a state legislature to speak to policymakers about their issues. Results indicate that grandparents and other relatives view themselves as leaders. The principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation extracted a five factor solution. The solution has good internal consistency and split-half reliability is robust. It appears that the LPI is a promising measure for use with kinship caregivers. More interventions are needed to foster the important quality of leadership among kinship caregivers.

Metacognitive Beliefs About Procrastination: Development and Concurrent Validity of a Self-Report Questionnaire

This article describes the development of a questionnaire on metacognitive beliefs about procrastination. In Study 1 we performed a principal axis factor analysis that suggested a two-factor solution for the data obtained from the preliminary questionnaire. The factors identified were named positive and negative metacognitive beliefs about procrastination. The factor analysis reduced the questionnaire from 22 to 16 items, with each factor consisting of 8 items. In Study 2 we performed a confirmatory factor analysis that provided support for the two-factor solution suggested by the exploratory factor analysis. Both factors had adequate internal consistency. Concurrent validity was partially established through correlation analyses. These showed that positive metacognitive beliefs about procrastination were positively correlated with decisional procrastination, and that negative metacognitive beliefs about procrastination were positively correlated with both decisional and behavioral procrastination. The Metacognitive Beliefs About Procrastination Questionnaire may aid future research into procrastination and facilitate clinical assessment and case formulation.

Psychometric Properties and the Predictive Validity of the Insomnia Daytime Worry Scale: A Pilot Study

The relationship between presleep worry and insomnia has been investigated in previous studies, but less attention has been given to the role of daytime worry and symptoms of insomnia. The aims of the current study were (a) to assess the psychometric properties of a novel scale measuring insomnia-specific worry during daytime and (b) to examine whether levels of daytime worry predict severity of insomnia symptoms. Participants (N = 353) completed the Insomnia Daytime Worry Scale (IDWS) and the Insomnia Severity Index. An explorative principal-axis factor analysis extracted two factors from the IDWS, accounting for 70.5% of the variance. The IDWS demonstrated good reliability. The total score of IDWS and both factors predicted levels of insomnia severity in two separate hierarchical regression analyses. This preliminary evidence suggests that the IDWS is a valid and reliable scale to measure daytime worry in insomnia.

Factorial Temperament Structure in Stuttering, Voice-Disordered, and Typically Developing Children

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the underlying temperamental structure of the Dutch Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ; B. Van den Bergh & M. Ackx, 2003) was identical for children who stutter (CWS), typically developing children (TDC), and children with vocal nodules (CWVN). A principal axis factor analysis was performed on data obtained with the Dutch CBQ from 69 CWS, 149 TDC, and 41 CWVN. All children were between the ages of 3;0 (years;months) and 8;11. Results indicated a 3-factor solution, identified as Extraversion/Surgency, Negative Affect, and Effortful Control, for each of the participant groups, showing considerable similarity to previously published U.S., Chinese, Japanese, and Dutch samples. Congruence coefficients were highest for CWS and TDC and somewhat more modest when comparing CWVN and TDC. The Effortful Control factor consistently yielded the lowest congruence coefficients. These data confirm that although stuttering, voice-disordered, and typically developing children may differ quantitatively with regard to mean scores on temperament scales, they are similar in terms of their overall underlying temperament structure. The equivalence of temperament structure provides a basis for further comparison of mean group scores on the individual temperament scales.

Development of the Inclusion Attitude Scale for High School Teachers

This study involved the development of a new scale to measure high school teacher attitudes toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education classrooms. A second aim was to examine the relationship of teachers’ professional development regarding inclusion, their years of experience with inclusion, access to instructional supports and resources, and gender to their attitudes toward inclusion. A principal axis factor analysis of the 27-item Inclusion Attitude Scale for High School Teachers yielded three factors accounting for 44.5% of the common variance. The coefficient alphas for the three factors and total scale were .91, .85, .77, and .92, respectively. Results of this web-based study suggest that high school teachers who have taken at least one special education course and those with several in-services about inclusion feel positively about it in comparison to teachers with no relevant coursework or in-services. Teachers with experience implementing inclusion in their own classrooms also report positive attitudes. Teachers with access to instructional resources, including curricular materials and fellow professionals with specialized skills, were positively inclined affectively and behaviorally to inclusion. Finally, male teachers reported more favorable attitudes than did female teachers. Limitations of the study and future directions for research are discussed.

Combining dimensional and categorical representation of psychosis: the way forward for DSM-V and ICD-11?

There is good evidence that psychotic symptoms segregate into symptom dimensions. However, it is still unclear how these dimensions are associated with risk indicators and other clinical variables, and whether they have advantages over categorical diagnosis in clinical practice. We investigated symptom dimensions in a first-onset psychosis sample and examined their associations with risk indicators and clinical variables. We then examined the relationship of categorical diagnoses to the same variables. We recruited 536 patients as part of a population-based, incidence study of psychosis. Psychopathology was assessed using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). A principal axis factor analysis was performed on symptom scores. The relationship of dimension scores with risk indicators and with clinical variables was then examined employing regression analyses. Finally, regression models were compared to assess the contribution of dimensions versus diagnosis in explaining these variables. Factor analysis gave rise to a five-factor solution of manic, reality distortion, negative, depressive and disorganization symptom dimensions. The scores of identified dimensions were differentially associated with specific variables. The manic dimension had the highest number of significant associations; strong correlations were observed with shorter duration of untreated psychosis, acute mode of onset and compulsory admission. Adding dimensional scores to diagnostic categories significantly increased the amount of variability explained in predicting these variables; the reverse was also true but to a lesser extent. Categorical and dimensional representations of psychosis are complementary. Using both appears to be a promising strategy in conceptualising psychotic illnesses.

Organizational citizenship behaviors in American and Portuguese public schools

PurposeOrganizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) have been studied in both private and public sector organizations in countries around the globe. The purpose of this study is to compare the perceptions of the OCB construct between American and Portuguese public secondary school teachers and test an operational measure of the construct for schools across the two cultures.Design/methodology/approachTeachers' perceptions of the OCB in their schools were measured using the Organizational Citizenship Behavior Scale. This operational measure, developed in the USA, was translated for use with Portuguese teachers. Data from samples of US and Portuguese secondary schools were compared. Principal axis factor analyses, reliability coefficients, and other descriptive data were used to verify the factor structures, number of factors, and reliability of the measure across these two cultures.FindingsBoth versions of the OCB Scale (American and Portuguese) were reliable and stable; they worked well for both high schools and middle schools in Portugal and in the USA. One factor of organizational citizenship emerged. The operational measure used to measure OCB in public schools in this study is reliable and stable, despite cultural differences.Practical implicationsOCB are important because they influence organizational effectiveness. Despite cultural variations, and dramatic historical differences in their public education systems, this operational measure of OCB was effective. It provides researchers and practitioners a reliable and valid measure to assess the OCB of school organizations.Originality/valueThis was the first attempt to determine the integrity of an operational measure of OCB across cultures. The construct has been studied in schools in different countries using different operational measures, which blurred the definition of the construct and made it difficult to study and compare to other variables of effectiveness.

Motives for the enlistment and demobilization of illegal armed combatants in Colombia.

This study explores and compares the motives for the enlistment and demobilization of illegal armed combatants in Colombia, members of guerrillas, and paramilitary groups. An exploratory principal-axis factor analysis was conducted on survey responses of 682 ex-combatants. Four factors emerged for the enlistment: fun and adventure, economic safety, retaliation, and promises. Six first-order factors explained demobilization: survival, physical–psychological safety, civilian safety, justice, self-determination, and belongingness. Factoring of first-order demobilization factors yielded two higher order factors: safety and social relationships. Logistic regression analyses revealed significant group differences in economic safety, promises, physical–psychological safety, justice, and self-determination. Implications for the prevention of enlistment and the promotion of demobilization are discussed.

Approaches to studying in higher education Portuguese students: a Portuguese version of the approaches and study skills inventory for students

This paper examines the validity of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students—short version (ASSIST; Tait et al. in Improving student learning: Improving students as learners, 1998), to be used with Portuguese undergraduate students. The ASSIST was administrated to 566 students, in order to analyse a Portuguese version of this inventory. Exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factor analysis followed by direct oblimin rotation) reproduced the three main factors that correspond to the original dimensions of the inventory (deep, surface apathetic and strategic approaches to learning). The results are consistent with the background theory on approaches to learning. Additionally, the reliability analysis revealed acceptable internal consistency indexes for the main scales and subscales. This inventory might represent a valuable research tool for the assessment of approaches to learning among Portuguese higher education students.