Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Cronbach's Alpha (cronbach + alpha)
Terms modified by Cronbach's Alpha Selected AbstractsDistress and coping in cancer patients: feasibility of the Icelandic version of BSI 18 and the WOC-CA questionnairesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 1 2006E. HJÖRLEIFSDÓTTIR rnt, doctoral student The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of two instruments within an Icelandic context, the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI 18) and the Ways of Coping Inventory , Cancer Version (WOC-CA) with specific focus on gender and type of treatment and coping techniques among cancer patients during time of treatment. The sample consisted of 40 cancer patients in three oncology outpatient clinics in Iceland, 53% were women and 47% men. The majority of the participants belonged to the age group 51,70. Cronbach alpha, means, confidence intervals and standard deviations were used for analysis as well as Mann,Whitney U -test for testing differences between genders in relation to psychological distress and coping. Anxiety was the factor causing the greatest distress, mainly reported by patients receiving chemotherapy. More women experienced depression than men, women (18.4%), men (8.3%). Distancing was the most frequently reported coping strategy, and men seemed to focus on the positive side more often than women did (P < 0.01). Although the results should be approached with caution, as the sample size was small, they do provide support for the strength of the measurements. Also the findings indicate that gender differences should be taken into account. [source] Validation of interactive voice response system administration of the short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaireINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 4 2009Manuel Y. Lam BA Abstract Background: The Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ) is a written, self-administered instrument measuring quality of life in IBD. We assessed the validity of an interactive voice response system (IVRS) as a new mode of administering the SIBDQ. Methods: An IVRS was designed using prerecorded questions to collect data via touchtone telephone. Subjects with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were randomized into 2 groups with different orders of administration: written, self-administered followed by IVRS (S-I) or IVRS followed by written, self-administered (I-S). Half of the S-I group was also randomized to receive a second IVRS. Sixty-four subjects were studied: 30 in S-I, 34 in I-S. Results: The mean SIBDQ scores were not different between written and IVRS modes (P = 0.26) with r = 0.93. IVRS scores were lower in active than inactive CD (36.1 ± 9.6 versus 54.7 ± 8.6, P < 0.001) and lower in active than inactive UC (40.8 ± 9.6 versus 59.8 ± 10.0, P < 0.001). Mean scores correlated highly with disease activity indices, and were not different between first and second IVRS administrations (P = 0.85) with r = 0.92. IVRS had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.90). Conclusions: IVRS administration of the SIBDQ yields results similar to written self-administration, with excellent procedural validity, test,retest reliability, and internal consistency. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009) [source] Validation of a memory inventory for the assessment of awareness of memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease in Chinese elderlyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 10 2006Victor Wing Cheong Lui Abstract Background This paper describes the development and validation of the Memory Inventory for Chinese (MIC), for measuring the awareness of memory deficits in the Chinese population with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The MIC was developed with focus group discussion and pilot testing. It has a patient and a caregiver version. A consecutive series of 79 new out-patients with the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorder Association (NINCDS-ADRDA) criteria of probable and possible AD and 20 non-demented elderly subjects were recruited. Results A high internal consistency was found, with Cronbach alpha of 0.89 for the patient version and 0.90 for the caregiver version of MIC. The inter-rater reliability was satisfactory. For validity assessment, the caregiver score of the MIC correlated significantly with cognitive score of the subject as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (rp,=,,0.37; p,<,0.01). The Memory Deficit Awareness Score, calculated by subtracting the patient score from the caregiver score, correlated significantly with clinician ratings of awareness of memory impairment (rs,=,,0.67; p,<,0.01). Conclusions The MIC appears to be a culturally appropriate and valid instrument for the measurement of awareness of memory deficits in Chinese patients with AD. Potential applications of the MIC should be further explored in other subtypes of dementia and in prospective studies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Psychometric Properties of the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale and the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in Older WomenJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008Kristine M.C. Talley MS OBJECTIVES: To compare the psychometric properties of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE). DESIGN: Secondary analysis using baseline and 12-week data from a randomized, controlled trial on fall prevention. SETTING: Upper Midwest metropolitan area with assessments conducted in participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 272 noninstitutionalized female Medicare beneficiaries aged 70 and older at risk of falling. MEASUREMENTS: Participants self-administered the ABC, SAFE, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form Survey. During a home visit, a nurse practitioner administered the Berg Balance Test and Timed Up and Go, measured gait speed, and asked about falls and chronic illnesses. RESULTS: Baseline internal consistency measured using Cronbach alpha was 0.95 for the ABC and 0.82 for the SAFE. Baseline concurrent validity between the ABC and SAFE measured using a correlation coefficient was ,0.65 (P<.001). ABC and SAFE scores were significantly correlated at baseline with physical performance tests and self-reported health status. The ABC had stronger baseline correlations than the SAFE with most measures. Neither instrument demonstrated responsiveness to change at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: The ABC and SAFE demonstrated strong internal-consistency reliability and validity when self-administered. The ABC had stronger associations with physical functioning and may be more appropriate for studies focused on improving physical function. Both instruments demonstrated ceiling effects, which may explain the lack of responsiveness to change in relatively nonfrail older women. Instruments sensitive to measuring lower levels of fear of falling are needed to capture the full range of this phenomenon in this population. [source] Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire (CIMP-QUEST): reported topographic symptoms in MCI and dementiaACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2010R. Åstrand Åstrand R, Rolstad S, Wallin A. Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire (CIMP-QUEST): reported topographic symptoms in MCI and dementia. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 121: 384,391. © 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objective,,, The Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire (CIMP-QUEST) is an instrument based on information obtained by key informants to identify symptoms of dementia and dementia-like disorders. The questionnaire consists of three subscales reflecting impairment in parietal-temporal (PT), frontal (F) and subcortical (SC) brain regions. The questionnaire includes a memory scale and lists non-cognitive symptoms. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were examined in 131 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia at a university-based memory unit. Methods/Results,,, Cronbach alpha for all subscales was calculated at r = 0.90. Factor analysis supported the tri-dimensionality of CIMP-QUEST's brain region-oriented construct. Test,retest reliability for a subgroup of cognitively stable MCI-patients (n = 25) was found to be r = 0.83 (P = 0.0005). The correlation between the score on the cognitive subscales (PT + F + M) and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly was r = 0.83 (P = 0.0005, n = 123). The memory subscale correlated significantly with episodic memory tests, the PT subscale with visuospatial and language-oriented tests, and the SC and F subscales with tests of attention, psychomotor tempo and executive function. Conclusions,,, CIMP-QUEST has high reliability and validity, and provides information about cognitive impairment and brain region-oriented symptomatology in patients with MCI and mild dementia. [source] A novel scale for measuring mixed states in bipolar disorderCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 6 2009Jonathan Cavanagh Abstract Objectives: Conventional descriptions of bipolar disorder tend to treat the mixed state as something of an afterthought. There is no scale that specifically measures the phenomena of the mixed state. This study aimed to test a novel scale for mixed state in a clinical and community population of bipolar patients. Methods: The scale included clinically relevant symptoms of both mania and depression in a bivariate scale. Recovered respondents were asked to recall their last manic episode. The scale allowed endorsement of one or more of the manic and depressive symptoms. Internal consistency analyses were carried out using Cronbach alpha. Factor analysis was carried out using a standard Principal Components Analysis followed by Varimax Rotation. A confirmatory factor analytic method was used to validate the scale structure in a representative clinical sample. Results: The reliability analysis gave a Cronbach alpha value of 0.950, with a range of corrected-item-total-scale correlations from 0.546 (weight change) to 0.830 (mood). The factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution for the manic and depressed items which accounted for 61.2% of the variance in the data. Factor 1 represented physical activity, verbal activity, thought processes and mood. Factor 2 represented eating habits, weight change, passage of time and pain sensitivity. Conclusions: This novel scale appears to capture the key features of mixed states. The two-factor solution fits well with previous models of bipolar disorder and concurs with the view that mixed states may be more than the sum of their parts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message: There is no clinical scale that specifically measures the phenomena of the bipolar mixed state. This new scale includes clinically relevant symptoms of both mania and depression in a bivariate scale. The scale appears to capture key features of the mixed state and endorses the view that mixed states may be more than the sum of their parts. [source] Psychometric Properties of the Mentor Role Instrument when Used in an Academic Medicine SettingCLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2010Terri Collin Dilmore Ph.D. Abstract The Ragins and McFarlin Mentor Role Instrument (RMMRI) was originally developed to measure perceptions of mentoring relationships in research and development organizations. The current study was designed to evaluate the RMMRI's reliability and validity when the instrument was administered to clinical and translational science trainees at an academic medical center. The 33-item RMMRI was administered prospectively to a cohort of 141 trainees at the University of Pittsburgh in 2007,2008. Likert-scale items focused on perceptions of five mentoring roles in the career dimension (sponsor, coach, protector, challenger, and promoter) and six mentoring roles in the psychosocial dimension (friend, social associate, parent, role model, counselor, and acceptor). Outcome items included overall perceptions of mentoring satisfaction and effectiveness. Of 141 trainees, 53% were male, 66% were white, 22% were Asian, and 59% were medical doctors. Mean age was 32 years. Analyses showed strong within-factor inter-item correlations (Pearson Coefficients of 0.57,0.93); strong internal consistency (Cronbach alphas of 0.82,0.97); confirmatory factorial validity, as demonstrated by confirmatory factor analysis of the two mentoring dimensions, 11 mentoring roles, and 33 RMMRI items; and concurrent validity, as demonstrated by strong correlations (Pearson Coefficients of 0.56,0.71) between mentoring dimensions, satisfaction, and effectiveness. This article concludes that the RMMRI shows reliability and validity in capturing the multidimensional nature of mentoring when administered to clinical and translational science trainees in the academic setting. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 104,108 [source] The Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale: development and initial psychometric evaluationJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 8 2010Lynda A. Tyer-Viola tyer-viola l.a. & duffy m.e. (2010) The Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale: development and initial psychometric evaluation. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(8), 1852,1863. Abstract Title.,The Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale: development and initial psychometric evaluation. Aim., This paper is a report of the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale. Background., Previous research has identified that attitudes toward persons with HIV/AIDS have been judgmental and could affect clinical care and outcomes. Stigma towards persons with HIV has persisted as a barrier to nursing care globally. Women are more vulnerable during pregnancy. An instrument to specifically measure obstetric care provider's attitudes toward this population is needed to target identified gaps in providing respectful care. Methods., Existing literature and instruments were analysed and two existing measures, the Attitudes about People with HIV Scale and the Attitudes toward Women with HIV Scale, were combined to create an initial item pool to address attitudes toward HIV-positive pregnant women. The data were collected in 2003 with obstetric nurses attending a national conference in the United States of America (N = 210). Content validity was used for item pool development and principal component analysis and analysis of variance were used to determine construct validity. Reliability was analysed using Cronbach's Alpha. Results., The new measure demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha estimates = 0·89). Principal component analysis yielded a two-component structure that accounted for 45% of the total variance: Mothering-Choice (alpha estimates = 0·89) and Sympathy-Rights (alpha estimates = 0·72). Conclusion., These data provided initial evidence of the psychometric properties of the Pregnant Women with HIV Attitude Scale. Further analysis is required of the validity of the constructs of this scale and its reliability with various obstetric care providers. [source] Relationship between various clinical outcome assessments in patients with blepharospasm,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 3 2009Joseph Jankovic MD Abstract The objective was to analyze the metric properties of the Jankovic Rating Scale (JRS) and a self-rating patient response outcome scale, the Blepharospasm Disability Index (BSDI©), in blepharospasm patients. Data from a randomized, double-blind, active-control clinical trial in 300 patients with blepharospasm treated with either botulinum toxin type A (Botox®) or NT201 (Xeomin®) were used to evaluate the metric properties of the JRS and the BSDI compared with the Patient Evaluation of Global Response (PEGR) and Global Assessment Scale (GAS). The internal consistency of the BSDI was high, Cronbach's Alpha = 0.88, and the retest reliability of the BSDI single items was adequate, Spearman's rank coefficient = 0.453 < r < 0.595. The correlation between JRS sum score and BSDI weighted mean score was r = 0.487 (baseline) and r = 0.737 (control visit), respectively. Using the GAS and PEGR, the results suggest that a change of 2 points in the JRS and of 0.7 points in the BSDI are clinically meaningful. JRS and BSDI are objective indicators of clinical efficacy as suggested by their good validity when compared with physicians' and patients' rating scales. Both, JRS and BSDI, can be used to reliably assess blepharospasm in treatment trials. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society [source] Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) project: evaluation in 10 London primary schoolsCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2005S. Edmunds Abstract Aims To assess the feasibility of implementing the Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) questionnaire, developed to capture the multiple dimensions of the health of children in their first year at school, and to evaluate data quality, reliability and validity. Methods Parents of 278 year-1 children, from 10 primary schools in two London boroughs, received a parent questionnaire and school nurses completed a separate questionnaire from health and education records for children whose parents consented. Additional data on free school meal eligibility and ethnicity were obtained from the two Local Education Authorities. The parent questionnaire included the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and four dimensions of the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form-28 (CHQ-PF28). Results Response rate was 61%. The association between school free school meals eligibility and response rate in each school approached significance (r = ,0.62, P = 0.05). Data completeness of the parent questionnaire was high (mean 98%). Data completeness of the school nurse questionnaire was more variable (mean 82%). Cronbach's Alpha was greater than 0.6 for four of the five SDQ scales and greater than 0.7 for the two CHQ-PF28 multi-item scales. Relative to parents with qualifications, parents with no qualifications rated their children as having significantly more conduct problems, peer problems, and overall mental health problems (P < 0.01) as assessed by the SDQ, and significantly lower global health (P < 0.01) as assessed by the CHQ-PF28. Children with special educational needs and children with long-standing illness or disability were rated as having significantly lower global health (P < 0.05) than children without these. Sample tables of inter-school and inter-borough comparison of key findings demonstrate considerable differences in physical and mental health status. Discussion The questionnaire was acceptable to parents and school nurses, and feasible to implement within existing school resources. Initial tests of internal reliability and validity are satisfactory. These data have the potential to inform interventions and service provision at school and borough level, and public health trends over time. [source] Cross-cultural evaluation of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale in JapanDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 1 2004Ikuyo Yamamoto M.D. Abstract The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) [Shear et al., 1997] is rapidly gaining world-wide acceptance as a standard global severity measure of panic disorder, however, its cross-cultural validity and reliability have not been reported yet. We developed the Japanese version of the PDSS and examined its factor structure, internal consistency and inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity among Japanese patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. We also established rules of thumb for interpreting PDSS total scores, taking the Clinical Global Impression severity scale as the anchoring criterion. The identical one-factor structure of the PDSS was confirmed among the Japanese patients as among the United States patients. Both internal and inter-rater reliability was excellent (Cronbach's alpha was 0.86, and ANOVA ICCs were all above 0.90). Concurrent validity of the PDSS items with self-report questionnaires tapping similar or overlapping domains was satisfactory (Pearson correlation coefficients were mostly above 0.5). Using the anchor-based approach, the following interpretative guides are suggested: among those with established panic disorder diagnosis, PDSS total scores up to 10 correspond with "mild," those between 11 and 15 with "moderate," and those at or above 16 correspond with "severe" panic disorder. The present findings support the cross-cultural generalizability of panic disorder symptomatology and of the PDSS, in particular. Depression and Anxiety 20:17,22, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Beliefs about medications: measurement and relationship to adherence in patients with severe mental disordersACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 1 2009H. Jónsdóttir Objective:, To determine if the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) has satisfactory psychometric properties in patients with severe mental disorders and if their scores differ from those of patients with severe medical disorders. To investigate if the scores are related to medication adherence. Method:, Two hundred and eighty psychiatric patients completed the BMQ and reported how much of their medication they had taken the past week. Serum concentrations of medications were analyzed. BMQ scores were compared with those of patients with chronic medical disorders. Results:, Cronbach's alpha was satisfactory for all subscales. The psychiatric group scored lower on the necessity of taking medication than the medical group. Non-adherent patients felt medication to be less necessary and were more concerned about it than adherent patients. The necessity subscale predicted adherence fairly well. Conclusion:, The BMQ has satisfactory psychometric properties for use in patients with severe mental disorders. The constructs measured by the BMQ are related to adherence in these patients. [source] Development and validation of the Diabetes Obstacles Questionnaire (DOQ) to assess obstacles in living with Type 2 diabetesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2007H. Hearnshaw Abstract Aims To develop and validate an easy-to-use questionnaire to identify obstacles to self management in Type 2 diabetes. Methods The Diabetes Obstacles Questionnaire (DOQ) was developed from earlier research and the literature. It was completed by 180 people with Type 2 diabetes, recruited from 22 general practices in the UK. Responders also completed a quality-of-life questionnaire (ADDQoL) and the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale. Results From analysis of the 176 usable questionnaires, 36 items of the original 113 items were deemed redundant. The remaining 77 items were assembled into eight sub-scales covering Medication, Self Monitoring, Knowledge and Beliefs, Diagnosis, Relationships with Health-Care Professionals, Lifestyle Changes, Coping, and Advice and Support. Each sub-scale had a factor structure of no more than three factors, had Cronbach's alpha of more than 0.75, and a Kaiser,Meyer,Olkin of more than 0.75. Each sub-scale correlated significantly with the PAID scale (P < 0.01), demonstrating criterion validity. Construct validity was shown by significant correlation between HbA1c and the sub-scales which relate to managing blood glucose levels: Self Monitoring, Relationship with Health-Care Professionals, Lifestyle Changes and Coping. Construct validity was further shown by significant correlation between QoL scores and Medication, Lifestyle Changes and Coping. Discussion The DOQ, comprising eight sub-scales, is a usable, valid instrument for both clinical and research settings. It helps to identify in detail the obstacles which an individual finds in living with Type 2 diabetes. [source] Assessing motivation to change in bulimia nervosa: the bulimia nervosa stages of change questionnaireEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2007Esteve Martinez Abstract Objective To assess motivation to change in adolescent patients with bulimia nervosa through the Bulimia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (BNSOCQ), an instrument adapted from the Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ) already validated in anorexic patients. Method Subjects were 30 bulimia nervosa patients (mean age,=,16.3 years) who were receiving treatment at an eating disorders unit. The evaluation instruments were: the BNSOCQ, the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BNSOCQ was re-administered 1 week later to evaluate test-retest reliability. Results The BNSOCQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha,=,0.94) and one week test-retest reliability (Pearson's r,=,0.93). Negative significant correlations were found between the BNSOCQ and several EDI-2 scales (Pearson's r between ,0.51 and ,0.84) and the BDI (r,=,,0.74). Conclusion The study provides initial support for the reliability and validity of the BNSOCQ as a self-report instrument for assessing motivation to change in adolescents with bulimia nervosa. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] A neurological examination score for the assessment of spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2008C. Kieling Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are characterized by a heterogeneous set of clinical manifestations. Our aims were to assess the neurological features of SCA3, and to describe and test the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a comprehensive Neurological Examination Score for Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NESSCA). The NESSCA was administered to molecularly diagnosed SCA3 patients at an outpatient neurogenetics clinic. The scale, based on the standardized neurological examination, consisted of 18 items that yielded a total score ranging from 0 to 40. The score's interrater reliability and internal consistency were investigated, and a principal components analysis and a correlation with external measures were performed. Ninety-nine individuals were evaluated. Interrater reliability ranged from 0.8 to 1 across individual items (P < 0.001); internal consistency, indicated by Cronbach's alpha, was 0.77. NESSCA scores were significantly correlated with measures of disease severity: disease stage (rho = 0.76, P < 0.001), duration (rho = 0.56, P < 0.001), and length of CAG repeat (rho = 0.30, P < 0.05). NESSCA was a reliable measure for the assessment of distinct neurological deficits in SCA3 patients. Global scores correlated with all external variables tested, showing NESSCA to be a comprehensive measure of disease severity that is both clinically useful and scientifically valid. [source] Oral Impacts on Daily Performance in Norwegian adults: validity, reliability and prevalence estimatesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2005A. N. Åstrøm The Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) instrument was translated into Norwegian and reviewed for cultural and conceptual equivalence by a group of bilingual academics. A sample of employees from the University of Bergen completed the Norwegian OIDP frequency questionnaire twice. A total of 173 and 108 subjects participated in the first and the second administration, respectively, of this questionnaire. A two-stage proportionate random sample, comprising 2,000 residents (age-range 16,79 yr), was drawn from the national population register by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Information became available for 1,309 persons who completed telephone interviews. The Norwegian OIDP preserved the overall concept of the English version. Test,retest reliability, in terms of Cohen's kappa, was 0.65, and Cronbach's alpha was high (, 0.80). In both samples, variations in the OIDP scores were apparent in relation to self-reported oral health and number of remaining teeth, supporting construct and criterion validity of the inventory. Only three of the OIDP interviews were discarded, which supports face validity. A total of 18.3% confirmed that they had at least one oral impact. Age-specific rates were 17.5%, 19.0%, 17.9% and 18.4% among 16,24, 24,44, 45,66 and 67,79-yr-old participants. The satisfactory psychometric properties provide evidence for the cross-cultural use of the OIDP. The presence of a distinct floor effect indicates poor sensitivity of the OIDP to detect improvements of oral health-related quality of life at a population level. Prevalence estimates were low, suggesting that the current oral health status has little impact on the daily performance of the Norwegian adult population. [source] The Diabetes Continuity of Care Scale: the development and initial evaluation of a questionnaire that measures continuity of care from the patient perspective,HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2004Lisa R. Dolovich PharmD MSc Abstract The purpose of the present study was to develop and pilot test a questionnaire to assess continuity of care from the perspective of patients with diabetes. Seven patient and two healthcare-provider focus groups were conducted. These focus groups generated 777 potential items. This number was reduced to 56 items after item reduction, face validity testing and readability analysis, and to 47 items after a preliminary factor analysis. Readability was assessed as requiring 7,8 years of schooling. Sixty adult patients with diabetes completed the draft Diabetes Continuity of Care Scale (DCCS) at a single point in time to assess the validity of the instrument. Patients completed the draft DCCS again 2 weeks later to assess test,retest reliability. A provisional factor analysis and grouping according to clinical sense yielded five domains: access and getting care, care by doctor, care by other healthcare professionals, communication between healthcare professionals, and self-care. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) for the whole scale was 0.89. The test,retest reliability was r = 0.73. The DCCS total score was moderately correlated with some of the measures used to establish construct validity. The DCCS could differentiate between patients who did and did not achieve specific process and clinical indicators of good diabetes care (e.g. Hba1c tested within 6 months). The development of the DCCS was centred on the patient's perspective and revealed that the patient perspective regarding continuity of care extends beyond the concept of seeing one doctor. Initial testing of this instrument demonstrates that it has promise as a reliable and valid measure in this area. [source] Development of a Scale to Measure Patients' Trust in Health InsurersHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002Article first published online: 18 MAR 200 Objective.,To develop a scale to measure patients' trust in health insurers, including public and private insurers and both indemnity and managed care. A scale was developed based on our conceptual model of insurer trust. The scale was analyzed for its factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and other psychometric properties. Data Sources/Study Setting.,The scale was developed and validated on a random national sample (n=410) of subjects with any type of insurance and further validated and used in a regional random sample of members of an HMO in North Carolina (n=1152). Study Design.,Factor analysis was used to uncover the underlying dimensions of the scale. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was established by Pearson or Spearman correlations and t tests. Data Collection.,Data were collected via telephone interviews. Principal Findings.,The 11-item scale has good internal consistency (alpha=0.92/0.89) and response variability (range=11,55, M=36.5/37.0, SD=7.8/7.0). Insurer trust is a unidimensional construct and is related to trust in physicians, satisfaction with care and with insurer, having enough choice in selecting health insurer, no prior disputes with health insurer, type of insurer, and desire to remain with insurer. Conclusions.,Trust in health insurers can be validly and reliably measured. Additional studies are required to learn more about what factors affect insurer trust and whether differences and changes in insurer trust affect actual behaviors and other outcomes of interest. [source] Validation of the Severe Impairment Battery for patients with Alzheimer's disease in KoreaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 7 2006Guk-Hee Suh Abstract Objective To examine the reliability and the validity of the Korean version of the SIB (SIB-K); and to determine its usefulness in patients with severe dementia. Methods Sixty-five patients (56 women, nine men) who lived in a nursing home and met the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edn, for the dementia of the Alzheimer's type were selected. Following clinical examination and evaluation using the Korean version of the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB-K), the Korean versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) and the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-K-cog) were applied as comparators. Results The mean scores on the SIB-K were 63.9 (SD,=,29.1), with a possible maximum of 100 points. Patients with MMSE scores from 0 to 4 points showed wide range of the SIB score from 4 to 62. The internal consistency of the SIB-K obtained by the Cronbach's alpha was 0.98. The inter-rater and test,retest reliabilities of the SIB-K obtained by the Spearman's rho were 0.99 and 0.97, respectively. Correlation between the SIB-K and the MMSE-K was 0.87, while correlation between the SIB-K and the ADAS-K-cog was ,0.76. Conclusions This study indicates that the Korean version of the SIB is a reliable, valid and useful test for measuring cognition of severely demented patients at a point where other conventional tests lose their sensitivity and show a floor effect. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Validation of the modified telephone interview for cognitive status (TICS-m) in HebrewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 5 2003Michal Schnaider Beeri Abstract Introduction The validity of the Hebrew version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-Modified (TICS-m) for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), for dementia, and for cognitive impairment (either MCI or dementia) was investigated. Methods Of the 10,059 who took part of the Israel Ischemic Heart Disease Cohort, 1902 of the 2901 survivors in 1999 had TICS-m interviews. Those with a score of 27 or below and a random sample with a score of 28 or 29 were invited to have a physician's examination for the diagnosis of dementia. The analysis was performed on the 576 who agreed. Results Based on physician's diagnosis, 269 were diagnosed as suffering from dementia, 128 as suffering from MCI, and 179 were diagnosed with no cognitive impairment. The TICS-m Hebrew version's internal consistency was very high (Cronbach's alpha,=,0.98) and showed a strong convergent validity with the MMSE (r,=,0.82; p,<,0.0005). The sensitivity was 100% for each of the conditions. Finally, after controlling for age, education and hearing impairment, TICS-m was a strong predictor of dementia, MCI and cognitive impairment. Conclusion At a cut-off of 27/50 the Hebrew version of the TICS-m is a useful screening instrument to identify subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment, dementia and cognitive impairment (MCI or dementia). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Psychometric properties of an interviewer-administered version of the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) among Dutch, Moroccan and Turkish respondentsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2009T. Fassaert Abstract The Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) is an instrument that is widely used to screen for mental disorders, but information is lacking on its psychometric qualities in non-Western samples. This study used a population-based sample (N = 725) to assess the reliability and validity of the K10 across ethnic groups in an urban area. The results were generally supportive of the K10 as a reliable and valid instrument to screen for anxiety and depression in all three groups. Cronbach's alpha was high (0.93) and the results indicated the existence of a solid single factor structure. Item bias in relation to ethnic background was minor. In each group, there was good criterion validity with respect to one-month DSM-IV diagnosis for depressive and/or anxiety disorder. The results nevertheless highlight the importance of cross-cultural validation, as we found different cut-off values for ethnic subgroups to obtain optimal sensitivity and specificity for detecting depressive and/or anxiety disorders. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Psychometric testing of the Swedish version of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment InstrumentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 3 2007Margareta Minhage OT We examined whether the Swedish adaptation of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument (PGCMAI) developed by Lawton meets criteria for reliability and validity in an elderly Swedish population with locomotor disability. Data were collected, using the mid-length version of the instrument, from 199 elderly people with locomotor disability in two Swedish counties. Reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha and construct validity was tested by means of exploratory factor analysis. Comparison was made with the Standardized Practical Equipment (SPE) test. Factor analysis identified eight factors, which were comparable to the original eight domains. There was a logical correlation between the PGCMAI and the SPE test. Further psychometric testing is recommended on other groups of elderly people. [source] Relevance of Cues for Assessing Hallucinated Voice ExperiencesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 3 2003Margaret England PhD PURPOSE. To assess psychiatric nurses' views of the importance of itemized content represented on an Inventory of Voice Experiences (IVE) for ongoing assessment of atypical auditory sense perception in people who hear voices. METHODS. Over 6 months, 317 experienced psychiatric nurses rated 58 assessment cues for hallucinated voice experiences. Cronbach's alpha, Cohen's kappa, and Bartko's intraclass correlation coefficients were used to measure concordance of the nurses' judgments against two hypothetical standards derived for purposes of the study. FINDINGS. There was moderate support for both the internal consistency of the nurses' judgments concerning the importance of itemized content represented on the WE and overall equivalence of the content. There was modest-to-moderate concordance of the nurses' original and subsequent judgments but a lack of concordance of the nurses' judgments with equally weighted judgments of the principal investigator even though the judgments of the investigator were based on extant literature and published reports of voice hearers. CONCLUSIONS. Results may reflect the effects of repeated testing, but it also is possible that some nurses did not have enough knowledge or professional experience to quantify judgments about the importance of hallucinated voice descriptions tied to the items on the WE. The findings are being used to refine the IVE. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Findings provide nurses with opportunities for discerning specific characteristics, antecedents, and consequences of voice hearing along with their implications for health and well-being. Discernment of this information will facilitate identification of more specific and meaningful options for helping voice hearers manage their voices. Search terms: Auditory hallucinations, schizophrenia [source] The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire: validation in a New Zealand cohortINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 4 2010Katherine JENKS Abstract Aim:, To examine the validity of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (ASQoL) in a New Zealand population with defined axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). Once validated, the ASQoL will be included as an outcome measure in a proposed multicentre New Zealand study. Methods:, Five healthy participants were interviewed to identify any issues related to local dialect or linguistic comprehension of the questionnaire. Cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with four participants with SpA to assess the relevance and comprehensiveness of the questionnaire. Internal consistency was established by determining the Cronbach's alpha. Finally, convergent validity of the ASQoL was assessed by testing the correlation with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and patient global visual analogue scale (VAS) scores in a cohort of 63 SpA patients. Results:, The language used in the ASQoL was considered clear, comprehensible and accessible to speakers of New Zealand English. The questionnaire displayed content validity for patients with SpA. The ASQoL had good internal consistency in the present sample (, = 0.854). A positive correlation was found between the ASQoL and the BASFI (rho = 0.635, P < 0.001), BASDAI (rho = 0.521, P < 0.001) and patient global assessment VAS (rho = 0.546, P < 0.001), providing evidence that the ASQoL has convergent validity among patients with SpA in New Zealand. Test,retest reliability was good over 16 weeks (rho = 0.730, P < 0.001). Conclusions:, The ASQoL has been demonstrated in this study to be feasible, internally consistent and to have content and convergent validity in a New Zealand population of patients with axial spondyloarthritis; it is a measure of quality of life which is both easy to employ and reliable. [source] Cigarette dependence questionnaire: development and psychometric testing with male smokersJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 10 2010Chih-Ling Huang huang c.-l., lin h.-h. & wang h.-h. (2010) Cigarette dependence questionnaire: development and psychometric testing with male smokers. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(10), 2341,2349. Abstract Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to develop and test a theoretically derived Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire for adult male smokers. Background., Fagerstrom questionnaires have been used worldwide to assess cigarette dependence. However, these assessments lack any theoretical perspective. A theory-based approach is needed to ensure valid assessment. Methods., In 2007, an initial pool of 103 Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire items was distributed to 109 adult smokers in Taiwan. Item analysis was conducted to select items for inclusion in the refined scale. The psychometric properties of the Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire were further evaluated 2007,08, when it was administered to 256 respondents and their saliva was collected and analysed for cotinine levels. Criterion validity was established through the Pearson correlation between the scale and saliva cotinine levels. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test construct validity. Reliability was determined with Cronbach's alpha coefficient and a 2-week test,retest coefficient. Results., The selection of 30 items for seven perspectives was based on item analysis. One factor accounting for 44·9% of the variance emerged from the factor analysis. The factor was named as cigarette dependence. Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire scores were statistically significantly correlated with saliva cotinine levels (r = 0·21, P = 0·01). Cronbach's alpha was 0·95 and test,retest reliability using an intra-class correlation was 0·92. Conclusion., The Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire showed sound reliability and validity and could be used by nurses to set up smoking cessation interventions based on assessment of cigarette dependence. [source] Insomnia Severity Index: psychometric properties with Chinese community-dwelling older peopleJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 10 2010Doris S.F. Yu yu d.s.f. (2010) Insomnia Severity Index: psychometric properties with Chinese community-dwelling older people. Journal of Advanced Nursing,66(10), 2350,2359. Abstract Aim., This paper is a report of a study to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Insomnia Severity Index. Background., Despite the high prevalence of insomnia in older people and its detrimental impact on well-being and healthcare costs, this problem is almost always undetected and consequently under-treated. The Insomnia Severity Index is psychometrically sound in measuring perceived insomnia severity. However, it has had very limited application in non-White populations. Methods., An instrument validation study was carried out between October 2008 and April 2009. The Insomnia Severity Index was translated into Chinese using Brislin's model and administered to a convenience sample of 585 older Chinese people recruited from three community centres for elders. Other instruments were also administered, including the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results., Cronbach's alpha of the Chinese version of the Insomnia Severity Index was 0·81, with item-to-total correlations in the range of 0·34,0·67. Construct validity was supported by its moderate relationship with the Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and sleep efficiency. The Chinese version of the Insomnia Severity Index also indicated more severe level of insomnia in older people who reported depressed mood on the Geriatric Depression Scale. Discriminant validity was supported as the Chinese version of the Insomnia Severity Index could discriminate poorer sleepers from normal sleepers. Exploratory factor analysis identified a two-factor structure for the Chinese version of the Insomnia Severity Index in measuring the severity and impacts of insomnia on the Chinese older people. Conclusion., The Chinese version of the Insomnia Severity Index is a culturally-relevant and psychometrically-sound instrument for assessing severity and impact of insomnia in Chinese community-dwelling older people. Nurses can use this tool to assess older people's perceptions of insomnia. [source] Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure: psychometric testing with Chinese nursing studentsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 12 2009Jian Wang Abstract Title.,Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure: psychometric testing with Chinese nursing students. Aim., This paper is a report of the psychometric testing of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure with Chinese nursing students. Background., Although the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure has been widely used to measure educational environments in the healthcare professions, no psychometric evaluation of the measure with Chinese nursing students has been reported. Method., Data from 214 nursing students were collected during a 2-month period between December, 2004 and January, 2005. Exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and Cronbach's alpha were examined. Results., Five factors were found by principal components analysis with Oblimin with Kaiser Normalization rotation. The original factor names were maintained, but items in each factor changed. These five factors all achieved eigenvalues >1, and in total accounted for 52·186% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0·623 to 0·9 across factors, with an overall alpha of 0·949. Conclusion., The Chinese version of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure could be a valuable measurement for nursing educators in professional development programmes and nursing curriculum design. Further studies need in different Chinese nursing schools and larger sample sizes to be conducted to validate its stability and factor structure. [source] Nursing attitudes towards acute mental health care: development of a measurement toolJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 5 2005John A. Baker BNurs MSc MPhil RN Aim., This paper reports the development, piloting and validation of a tool to measure attitudes for use with nursing staff working in acute mental health care units. Background., The quality of care provided for service users in acute mental health care has come under both scrutiny and severe criticism. The attitudes of staff working in these environments have been cited as a contributory factor in poor care. No measure of attitudes specific to acute mental health has been reported. Methods., A 64-question measure was constructed and distributed to a sample of qualified and unqualified nurses drawn from seven mental health care units in the North of England. Exploratory factor analysis and a number of other statistical tests were performed to validate the questionnaire. Results., Preliminary analysis reduced the original 64 questions to 37. Five components were retained, accounting for 42% of the variance, and the five rotated factors were identified. The resultant ,Attitudes Towards Acute Mental Health Scale' (ATAMHS) achieved good internal reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0·72. Conclusion., The construction and validation of the ATAMHS measure will enable improved understanding of the attitudes of nursing staff working in acute mental health care settings to occur. This measure is available for use in a clinical area of nursing in which attitude change is of fundamental importance for future development of care. [source] Developing a Chinese quality of life in dementia instrument for patients with early-to-moderate dementia: an exploratory test of validityJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 15-16 2010Yi-Chen Chiu Aims., The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese Dementia Quality of Life instrument, which included testing the different pathways through theoretical quality of life domains (self-esteem, feelings of belonging and sense of aesthetics) to reach outcomes of positive and negative affect. Background., Perceived quality of life in dementia has been conceptualised based on dementia stages. However, the relationships among quality of life domains are unclear in patients with dementia with a Mini-Mental State Examination >10. Design., Cross-sectional study. Methods., Older people (n = 110) were consecutively recruited from memory disorder clinics and community wellness centres (controls). Of these participants, 27 were controls, 39 were diagnosed with questionable dementia and 44 with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. The instrument was back translated and validated. Results., The instrument has good overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0·84,0·94). Item-total correlation coefficients, indicating construct validity, were all significant, except for one item. anova showed that controls, patients with questionable dementia and those with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease differed significantly in scores on Sense of Aesthetics subscale. Instrument total score and scores on three of five subscales (not Feelings of Belonging) differed significantly between control and dementia groups, but not between patients with questionable dementia and those with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Factor analyses showed two inconsistencies with the instrument's prior conceptualisation, namely the Self-Esteem and Negative Affect subscales. The Positive Affect path model was supported but not the Negative Affect path model. Conclusions., This patient-reported Dementia Quality of Life instrument has acceptable psychometric properties in Taiwanese patients with dementia with a Mini-Mental State Examination score >10. Relevance to clinical practice., The Chinese Dementia Quality of Life instrument can be used to assess subjective quality of life in Taiwanese patients with dementia with a Mini-Mental State Examination score >10. [source] Care dependency of children in EgyptJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 3 2008Hanan Tork RN Aims., This study aimed to modify the Care Dependency Scale so that it could be used for children, to apply its Arabic version to Egyptian children to test the reliability and validity of the modified scale and to compare the care dependency of disabled and non-disabled Egyptian children. Background., A higher dependence of children in their daily tasks undoubtedly places a greater burden on their caregivers. To estimate the extent of the problem of care dependency, data from different countries and proper standard instruments are required. Method., The Care Dependency Scale was modified for children by Delphi technique. This study assessed the care dependency of non-disabled children compared with children with physical and mental disabilities using the modified version of the Care Dependency Scale for paediatrics. The total sample included 260 Egyptian school-age children (50·8% of whom were disabled and 49·2% were non-disabled). Results., Reliability was examined in terms of internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha (0·91). Inter-rater reliability revealed moderate to very good Kappa statistics between 0·57,0·89. Content validity and criterion validity were evaluated. Differences regarding care dependency were found between disabled and non-disabled children. Conclusion., The psychometric properties of the Care Dependency Scale for paediatrics support its usefulness in measuring the care dependency of children in Egypt. This study provides an Arabic version of the Care Dependency Scale for paediatrics that is easy to administer and may be useful to measure the care dependency in various Arabic countries. Relevance to clinical practice., The findings raise concerns regarding the extent to which disabled and also non-disabled school-age children are care dependent leading to an increased burden of care on nurses or on caregivers in general. The Care Dependency Scale for Paediatrics can help nurses conduct an appropriate assessment of children's care dependency so that any nursing care can be planned according to the children's needs. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||