Psychological Measurement Scales Research Articles

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health Among the General Population: A Narrative Review

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has infected millions of people worldwide, resulting in a global burden for long-term care of sufferers. The impact of COVID-19 has affected the mental health of innumerable people. Emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all parts of our mental health, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Additionally, it affects how people respond to stress and make good decisions. For instance, depression raises the risk of a wide range of physical health issues, especially chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions worldwide, leaving a global burden for the long-term care of COVID-19 survivors. Therefore, it is imperative to study the shortterm (post-COVID) and long-term effects of COVID-19, specifically as the local and systemic pathophysiological outcomes of other coronavirus-related diseases (such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome - MERS and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 - SARS-CoV-2) have been well-documented. Mental health was evaluated using four psychological measurement scales to assess fear of COVID-19, depression, general anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. The worldwide social and economic upheaval has resulted in the worst recession since the Great Depression. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale can be used to evaluate the psychological impact and mental health status. The main themes include the biology of stress and the effect of infection on the brain. Adversity can cause anatomical and functional changes in the brain. Although cortisol, for example, can alter brain architecture, tolerable stress is mitigated by protective systems and interpersonal connections that promote adaptive coping. The risk of physical and mental illness, as well as cognitive decline, may increase due to toxic stress, which is often caused by prolonged activation. From a behavioural standpoint, it is essential to understand burnout, compassion fatigue, grief, and other psychological processes and strategies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has adversely affected the mental states of people. The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with significantly high levels of psychological distress that meet the threshold for clinical relevance. Mitigating the harmful effects of COVID-19 on mental health is an international public health priority

Psychological responses of medical staff during COVID-19 and the adjustment effect of brief mindfulness meditation

BackgroundCOVID-19 has posed an unprecedented threat to public health and remains a critical challenge for medical staff, especially those who have been fighting against the virus in Wuhan, China. Limited data have been reported regarding the psychological status of these medical staff members. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the mental health status of medical staff and the efficacy of brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) in improving their mental health. MethodsA survey was conducted between April 18 and May 3, 2020. Upon completing the pre-test, participants in the treatment group received a 15-min BMM intervention every day at 8 p.m. Post-test questionnaires were completed after 16 days of therapy. The questionnaire comprised demographic data and psychological measurement scales. The levels of pre and post-test depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Athens Insomnia Scale, respectively. ResultsA total of 134 completed questionnaires were received. Of the medical staff, 6.7%, 1.5%, and 26.7% reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, respectively. Public officials from military hospitals reported experiencing greater pressure than private officials (t = 2.39, p = 0.018, d = 0.50). Additionally, BMM treatment appeared to effectively alleviate insomnia (t = 2.27, p = 0.027, d = 0.28). ConclusionsThe medical staff suffered negative psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMM interventions are advantageous in supporting the mental health of medical staff.

Questionnaires and salivary cortisol to measure stress and depression in mid-pregnancy.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, with cortisol as its final metabolite, has been proposed as a potential underlying biological mechanism for associations between depression and stress symptoms during pregnancy and adverse perinatal outcomes. In this study, we explored associations between salivary cortisol as a potential biomarker for stress and depressive symptoms and several self-completed psychological measurement scales among pregnant women. In total, 652 pregnant women participating in the PRegnancy and Infant DEvelopment (PRIDE) Study completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised (PRAQ-R), and Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (TPDS) and collected a single awakening salivary cortisol sample around gestational week 17. Odds ratios, Spearman's correlation coefficients (ρs) and Cohen's Kappa coefficients (κ) were calculated to examine the associations between the EDS, PHQ-2, PRAQ-R, TPDS, and maternal cortisol levels. The overall correlation coefficient between the score on the EDS and the salivary cortisol level was 0.01 (p = 0.89) with κ = -0.01 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.08-0.06). We did not observe agreement between the PHQ-2 and cortisol levels either (κ = 0.06 (95% CI -0.02-0.14)). The results for the PRAQ-R and TPDS were similar with overall correlations with maternal cortisol levels of ρs = 0.01 (p = 0.81) and ρs = 0.06 (p = 0.35) and agreements of κ = 0.02 (95% CI -0.06-0.09) and κ = -0.02 (95% CI -0.11-0.07), respectively. Maternal awakening salivary cortisol levels and measures of maternal psychological distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and pregnancy-related anxiety, assessed by self-completed questionnaires, did not seem to be related in mid-pregnancy.

Validity and reliability of the Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) Scale in Turkish

Objective: This study aims to adapt the Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) Scale into Turkish and to investigate its psychometric properties. The scale was developed to assess positive childhood experiences and has recently gained more importance in the literature. Method: A total of 175 adults with a mean age of 25.1 years participated in this study. A Turkish version of the BCEs was prepared and administered with other psychological measurement scales. To investigate the construct validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted, and criterion-related validity was tested using the Symptom Check List 90 and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Internal consistency and test-retest coefficients were calculated to assess the reliability of the scale. Results: The Turkish version of the scale was found to consist of two factors that were related with psychopathological symptom severity and life satisfaction, as was expected. In addition, reliability values for the 10-item scale were satisfactory. The internal consistency coefficient was 0.61, the test-retest validity coefficient was 0.91. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the Turkish version of the BCEs Scale can be used as a valid and reliable tool in Turkey. Psychometric properties of the scale were also found to be similar to the original English version.

Effects of health education on fat intake behaviors and its psychology in students with different BMI

Objective To compare the effects of health education on fat intake behavior and its psychology in students with different BMI, provide evidence for improving individual healthy education. Methods A experimental epidemiology was used, Twenty-nine secondary school classes were randomly selected by multi-stage cluster sampling from two cities in Zhejiang province.Overweight or obesity group included all students who were judged overweight or obesity, normal group included students who were judged normal and basic matched by age, grade, sex and stage of baseline.Intervention based on transtheoretical mode was conducted on two groups and intervention results were measured by the adolescent fat intake behavior of psychological measurement scales(Chinese version). Chi-square tests, T-tests, non-parameters tests and binary logistic regression were performed for data analyses. Results Stage of students with overweight or obesity and with normal BMI all moved forward after intervention, while the proportion of stage advance for students with overweight or obesity was further than students with normal BMI.Change strategy(2.60±0.79), pros(3.58±0.90) and self-efficacy(3.01±0.72)of students with overweight or obesity better than students with normal BMI in baseline((2.34±0.86), (3.08±0.91), (2.79±0.81))while difference was not significant after intervention.Logistic regression analysis discovered that the promotion of change strategy moved stage forward for students with normal BMI(OR=2.168, 95%CI: 1.560-3.014)and promotion of self-efficiency moved stage forward for students with overweight or obesity(OR=1.801, 95%CI: 1.026-3.159). Conclusion The intensity and duration of psychological intervention is essential to be reinforced for students with normal BMI, while for students with overweight and obesity, psychological intervention should be promoted in combination with social support. Key words: Transtheoretical Model; BMI; Student

Psychological and Family Well-Being of Unaccompanied Mexican Child Migrants Sent Back From the U.S. Border Region of Sonora-Arizona

This study explores the psychological and family well-being of Mexican undocumented and unaccompanied children sent back through the U.S. border region of Sonora-Arizona. Procedures included exploring children’s own accounts using semi-structured interviews with 13 minors (9-17 years old) conducted at border shelters within Mexico. Based on previous qualitative findings, psychological measurement scales were administered to 53 participant children and adolescents during the second phase. There were statistically significant correlations between number of crossing attempts and resilience, as well as between number of days in the shelter and depression. The findings suggest that children possess psychological resources to face distress and negative affect caused by family separation, unaccompanied travel, and crossing experiences. These findings contribute to informing future public health policy and programs directed at the increasing population of unaccompanied minor migrants.

Emotions experienced in retail outlets: A proposed measurement scale

The affective states experienced by consumers in stores are numerous, heterogeneous and specific. In order to measure them, most researchers use Anglo-Saxon psychological measurement scales. However, these carry several limitations and are ill-suited to the retail environment. The purpose of this research was to create a scale with which to measure the emotions experienced in retail outlets. Following a brief analysis of the literature on affective states and the measurement thereof, we turn our attention to the emotions experienced in-store by consumers. We then use a qualitative phase and two quantitative studies to propose a six-dimensional measurement scale (well-being, escapism, nervousness, pleasure, calm and constriction) that has been adapted to the retail environment. The reliability and convergent, discriminant and predictive validity of the scale are all wholly satisfactory.

Evaluation on the Chinese version of adolescent fat intake behavior of psychological measurement scale and its reliability and validity

To develop a suitable fat intake behavior of psychological measurement scales for the Chinese adolescents and evaluate its validity and reliability. According to the multi-stage stratified cluster sampling principle, a total of 3 600 junior students were recruited from the classes in 12 selected high schools in Hangzhou, Wuhan and Xi'an from March to May, 2012. Based on introducing and translating the original scale abroad, Chinese version of adolescent fat intake behavior of psychological measurement scales was utilized in field investigations. The reliability was assessed, using Cronbach's α and split-half reliability; while exploratory factor analysis used to test its validity, with entries-dimension correlation coefficient (IIC), correlation coefficient between the scores and the dimension, and the dimension of correlation coefficient test content validity. The valid subject of the study was 3 448(of whom males were 52.4% (1 806/3 448) and female were 47.6% (1 642/3 448)), while the mean age was (14.85 ± 1.46) years old. The internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α) for total scale score and four domains were 0.922,0.933, 0.660, 0.773 and 0.869 respectively, whose split-efficacy reliability were separately 0.927, 0.933, 0.790, 0.624 and 0.889. Data from the exploratory factor analysis revealed the following dimensions:the entries were all inclusive, with the cumulative contribution rate at 59.453%, 56.062% and 52.668%, respectively. The results of IIC showed that in the four dimensions, the contained entries between Spearman correlation coefficient have statistically significant, with the r value range of 0.584-0.793, 0.665-0.818, 0.654-0.765 and 0.622-0.747 severely, while other dimensions from weak to moderate relationships, the r value ranged from -0.028 to 0.614. The reliability and validity of the adolescent fat intake behavior of psychological measurement scales (Chinese version) were good, and could be used to measure the fat intake behavior of psychological conditions in Chinese adolescents.

Are psychophysical scales of intensities the same or different when stimuli vary on other dimensions? Theory with experiments varying loudness and pitch.

Most studies concerning psychological measurement scales of intensive attributes have concluded that these scales are of ratio type and that the psychophysical function is closely approximated by a power function. Experiments show, for such cases, that a commutativity property must hold under either successive increases or successive decreases provided, e.g., all other independent dimensions are fixed. A good deal of data support this conclusion. However, little or no attention has been paid to whether or not such subjective intensity scales differ when an independent dimension such as frequency (pitch in audition, color in vision, etc.) is varied. Using a simple and favorably tested theoretical model for global psychophysics, the authors arrive at a necessary and sufficient cross-dimension, commutativity condition for a common intensity ratio scale to exist. For example, the data show that the loudness of a tone at frequency f and another tone at frequency g can each be viewed as arising from a common property of loudness over intensity/frequency pairs. Comparing one version of cross-dimensional commutativity with the corresponding 1-dimensional commutativity property discriminates between a general representation of the ratio scale property and a special case of it. Does the theory extend to other intensive continua (prothetic attributes)? If so, which ones? And does it extend to cross-modal matching?

A Study Of The Distribution Of Sample Coefficient Alpha With The Hopkins Symptom Checklist: Bootstrap Versus Asymptotics

Sample coefficient alpha is commonly reported for psychological measurement scales. However, how to characterize the distribution of sample coefficient alpha with the Likert-type scales typically used in social and behavioral science research is not clear. Using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, the authors compare three characterizations of the distribution of the sample coefficient alpha: the existing normal-theory-based distribution, a newly proposed distribution based on fourth-order moments, and the bootstrap empirical distribution. Their study indicates that the normal-theory-based distribution has a systematic bias in describing the behavior of the sample coefficient alpha. The distribution based on fourth-order moments is better than the normal-theory-based one but is still not good enough with finite samples. The bootstrap automatically takes the sampling distribution and sample size into account; thus it is recommended for characterizing the behavior of sample coefficient alpha with Likert-type scales.

Bedwetting, behaviour and self-esteem: a review of the literature.

The aim of this review was to examine the empirical evidence on the impact of bedwetting and its treatment on a child's self-esteem and behaviour. The inclusion criteria for this review were empirical studies conducted on children, aged 5-16 years old, with primary nocturnal enuresis using measures of self-esteem or behaviour. Studies utilizing psychological measurement scales completed by children were the main focus although those that used scales completed by parents were also included. The electronic databases from 1981 to 1999 were searched, and hand searching of the literature dating back to 1973 was conducted using the reference lists of key papers. Fifteen empirical studies matched the inclusion criteria. There was only one randomised-controlled trial and the rest of the studies were cohort, case-control or cross-sectional design. Evidence of sample bias predominantly due to the use hospital-based and/or 'volunteer' subjects was found in five studies. A further five studies used birth cohort data, which excludes important variables such as the impact of treatment. Four studies used single parent-reported measures, which may under or over-estimate the problem. No large cohort studies were available which compare the self-esteem of bedwetting children with matched controls. The most interesting line of enquiry is pursued by studies looking at whether self-esteem improves with successful treatment. However, the use of self-selected subject groups does not make the current evidence convincing and more work is required to determine outcomes for all children. There is empirical evidence for increased behavioural problems in bedwetting children. Studies conducted on younger children report less behavioural problems with more reported in studies conducted on older children with complex wetting disorders. This may point towards wetting being the primary problem, but more work is needed, as causation in any direction is difficult to ascertain from the literature.

The adaptation of psychological scales

The exchange of knowledge and information is rapidly progressing and the intercultural interaction is gradually developing in these days. The psychological scales developed for a culture can also be used in different ones. Therefore, it must be answered that how appropriate in another culture the scale is?, how strong the psychometrics of scale (reliability and validity are)? and how accurately the scale reflects the psychological properties of new culture?. Adaptation is to translate the scale into another language and to search answers to these questions above. The aim of this study is to depict the adaptation process of psychological measurement scales, the projects of TIMMS, TIMMSR, OECD/PISA, the reason of adaptation instead of developing a measurement scale, International Test Commision (ITC), ITC activities and test adaptation guide