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Psychometrically Sound (psychometrically + sound)
Selected AbstractsAppraisal of Social Concerns: A cognitive assessment instrument for social phobiaDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2004Michael J. Telch Ph.D. Abstract The current study describes the validation of a new cognitive assessment measure for social phobia, entitled the Appraisal of Social Concerns (ASC). Item content is relevant to a range of social situations. The ASC can be used to tailor interventions to patients' idiosyncratic concerns. Data are presented from both clinical (n=71) and non-clinical (n=550) samples. Preliminary data indicate that the ASC has good internal consistency and test,retest reliability. The construct validity of the ASC is comparable to that of well-established measures in use with social phobics. A strength of the ASC is its sensitivity to the effect of treatment. An exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors tapping concerns about negative evaluation, observable symptoms, and social helplessness. Subscale scores were strongly correlated. Preliminary findings suggest that the ASC is a psychometrically sound, time efficient instrument that can be used for both clinical and research purposes. Depression and Anxiety 19:217,224, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [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] Assessing Drinking Outcomes in Alcohol Treatment Efficacy Studies: Selecting a Yardstick of SuccessALCOHOLISM, Issue 10 2003Linda Carter Sobell Background: Although the number of alcohol treatment efficacy trials has mushroomed, there is no consensus on how best to measure outcomes. To advance the goal of establishing cross-trial consistency in measuring outcomes in clinical efficacy studies, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism convened a panel of experts and charged them with exploring, debating, and, ultimately, selecting a "sentinel" or "optimal" outcome measure to be used in future alcohol treatment studies. The goal of this article, one in a series of several presented at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism conference, is to discuss (1) the rationale underlying selection of an optimal outcome measure, (2) the necessary characteristics of an optimal outcome measure, (3) the utility of selecting an optimal measure, and (4) which drinking assessment methods could be used to collect data to portray the optimal outcome measure. Methods: At a minimum, the criteria for an "optimal" measure include that it be psychometrically sound. In addition, it should have considerable currency in the field, thereby increasing its prospects for adoption. The measure should also be consistent with the concepts of greatest interest and relevance to the field (e.g., directly reflect the fundamental goal of alcohol treatment). In light of these highly desired features, percent of days heavy drinking was chosen at the conference as a practical and relevant measure of alcohol treatment outcome. Conclusions: Percent of days heavy drinking should be the optimal measure of alcohol treatment outcome. Currently, daily drinking estimation methods are the most useful for gathering data that can reflect the optimal measure. In addition, data gathered by daily drinking estimation methods can be used to study a variety of other outcome variables of interest to clinical researchers. [source] More than smile sheets: Rasch analysis of training reactions in a medical centerPERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 3 2009Daniel McLinden EdD Reaction questionnaires administered at the conclusion of a training program are a common method of evaluation. Because such questionnaires are often constructed and analyzed in an ad hoc manner, their usefulness is often difficult to gauge. However, if properly constructed and analyzed, such instruments can help to make clear the strengths and weaknesses of programs. This article presents a framework for questionnaire development and analysis to ensure that such questionnaires are psychometrically sound and useful for decision making. The data used for this research were from over 5,000 questionnaires completed by individuals at the conclusion of educational programs. The Rasch model was used to evaluate the data. Results suggest that the posttraining questionnaire is a valid and reliable indicator of program quality. In addition, the Rasch analysis provided empirically based methods for diagnosing needed improvements to assessment instruments. [source] Assessment of psychiatric patients' competency to give informed consent: Legal safeguard of civil right to autonomous decision-makingPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 5 2000Toshinori Kitamura FRCPSYCH Abstract Amendment of the Mental Health and Welfare Law in Japan will limit admission for medical care and protection only for those individuals who are incapable of giving consent to admission. This is a first in the history of the Japanese mental health legislation. By reviewing the law and psychiatric literature, it is argued that: (i) informed consent is a legal transaction that embodies the idea of an individual's right to autonomous decision-making in medical settings; (ii) health professionals have a duty to protect those individuals who cannot decide medical matters because of lack of capacity to do so; (iii) some patients are marginally incompetent so assessment of their competency is essential in protecting patients' civil rights; (iv) in order for a competency assessment to be reliable (and hence fair) the method should be psychometrically sound; (v) at the same time, in order for a competency assessment to be valid, the structure of a competency assessment should match the patient's psychological, cultural, and social background; and (vi) because informed consent is a process rather than a cross-sectional event, a competency assessment should be performed in everyday practice. The use of a brief and semistructured interview to assess patients' competency to give informed consent may meet all of the requirements described. [source] Assessing spiritual growth and spiritual decline following a diagnosis of cancer: reliability and validity of the spiritual transformation scalePSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Brenda S. Cole Abstract This study assessed the factor structure, reliability, and validity of an instrument designed to assess spiritual transformations following a diagnosis of cancer,the Spiritual Transformation Scale (STS). The instrument was administering to 253 people diagnosed with cancer within the previous 2 years. Two underlying factors emerged (spiritual growth (SG) and spiritual decline (SD)) with adequate internal reliability (alpha=0.98 and 0.86, respectively) and test,retest reliability (r=0.85 and 0.73, respectively). Validity was supported by correlations between SG and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) Positive Affect Subscale (r=0.23, p<0.001), the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (r=0.57, p<0.001), and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (r=0.68, p<0.001). SD was associated with higher scores on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (r=0.38, p<0.001) and PANAS-Negative Affect Subscale (r=0.40, p<0.001), and lower scores on the PANAS-Positive Affect Subscale (r=,0.23, p<0.001), and the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (r=,0.30, p<0.001). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the subscales uniquely predicted adjustment beyond related constructs (intrinsic religiousness, spiritual coping, and general post-traumatic growth). The results indicate that the STS is psychometrically sound, with SG predicting better, and SD predicting poorer, mental and spiritual well-being following a diagnosis of cancer. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Measuring Community Coalition Effectiveness Using the ICE© InstrumentPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2006Mary E. Cramer ABSTRACT This article presents the development and psychometric testing of the Internal Coalition Effectiveness (ICE) instrument, which was based on the conceptual model Internal Coalition Outcome Hierarchy. Sixty-one items were derived from literature about successful coalitions, and the ICE instrument was tested for reliability and validity. A national panel of eight experts conducted content validity. Remaining tests involved a sample of 61 members and leaders of a large midwestern coalition (77% response rate, n = 47). Content validity involved a two-stage process for rigorous item development and quantification (0.88, p < 0.05). Internal consistency was based on bivariate Pearson's correlation of 0.30,0.70 for two-item scales and Cronbach's ,(, = 0.70). Construct validity was assessed by correlation analysis, independent Student's t tests, and informal coalition feedback. The final 30-item version of ICE is psychometrically sound. Findings were shared with the local coalition, and, in support of the instrument's validity, members and leaders found this information useful for promoting coalition sustainability by identifying internal strengths and areas for improvement. The ICE instrument adds to the body of literature by measuring critical constructs of coalition effectiveness and has significant application for public health nurses working as evaluators for coalitions engaged in community health programing. [source] Assessing Negative Consequences in Patients with Substance Use and Bipolar Disorders: Psychometric Properties of the Short Inventory of Problems (SIP)THE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON ADDICTIONS, Issue 6 2007Rachel E. Bender BA The Short Inventory of Problems (SIP), a questionnaire that measures negative consequences of alcohol use, has not been validated among substance users with co-occurring psychiatric illness. This study examined the psychometric properties of the SIP in 57 outpatients diagnosed with substance use disorder and bipolar disorder. We modified the items to assess drugs in addition to alcohol and, further, we added corresponding items to assess consequences of bipolar disorder. This modified version of the SIP was psychometrically sound, and may be useful in patients with both disorders. A greater understanding of perceived negative consequences may enhance outcome assessment in dually diagnosed populations. [source] | ||||||||||