Reflecting interactions among personality items: Meehl's paradox revisited.

Regarding configural scoring, P. E. Meehl (see record 1951-00366-001) provided an artificial example in which 2 binary items were not individually correlated with the incidence of schizophrenia; yet, if item interactions were taken into account, the items could accurately predict schizophrenia. Relative to this paradox, the present study shows how substantial new information can be used by uncovering item interactions in personality scales. The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) was analyzed using data consisting of 472 binary CPI item scores taken from 5,219 high school students residing in small US cities in the 1950's, originally collected by H. G. Gough (1975). Results show that for most subscales, a substantial number of items interacted such that some item weights depended on how some other items were scored. Subsequent analyses indicated that identifying interacting items pointed toward interesting subscales and subgroups of individuals as well as augmented interactive scales that were substantially more reliable than existing scales. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Suspension "hypokinesia/hypodynamia" may decrease bone mass by stimulating osteoclast production in ovariectomized mice

The factorial structure of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS; A. T. Beck, A. Weissman, D. Lester, & L. Trexler, 1974) was examined in a nonclinical sample (N = 154) in Japan, and the relationships between dimensions of hopelessness and psychosocial variables were analyzed. A semistructured interview was used, as well as a questionnaire consisting of the BHS, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ; H. J. Eysenck & S. B. Eysenck, 1975), and the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI; G. Parker, H. Tupling, & L. B. Brown, 1979). A factor analysis with principal components solution after oblimin rotation yielded 2 factors--Doubt About a Hopeful Future (Factor 1) and Belief About a Hopeless Future (Factor 2). Significant, positive correlations were found between Factor 2 and (a) the number of emotional symptoms of depression in a 4-day depressive episode and (b) scores on the Neuroticism subscale of the EPQ. The Factor 1 score was significantly and negatively correlated with the Extraversion subscale of the EPQ and the Paternal Care subscale of the PBI.     

Grade level differences in factors of self-esteem.

Investigated the construct validity of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Factor analyses were performed using approximately 1,500 students in public schools in each of Grades 4-8. 3 factors emerged in the grade-level analyses that were related to the Self subscale proposed by S. Coopersmith. 2 factors represented negative attitudes toward the self, while 1 factor represented positive attitudes. Items that loaded into these factors were moderately congruent with the subscale items. 2 factors emerged related to the Home subscale. Items that loaded into these factors were highly congruent with the subscale items. 2 factors expressing bipolar attitudes emerged that were related to the School subscale. The items that loaded into these factors were moderately congruent with the subscale items. One factor emerged that expressed positive attitudes toward the self derived from peers. This factor was related to the Peer subscale through a moderate amount of common items. Grade-level differences were observed in the comparative amount of variance accounted for by factors, as well as the occurrence of factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Confirmatory factor analysis of a measure of intrapersonal empowerment.

Objective: To assess the factorial validity of the Personal Opinions Questionnaire (POQ), a self-report measure of intrapersonal empowerment, and to provide norms for vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients. Study Design: Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate a 4-factor model derived from a previous exploratory factor analysis of the POQ items. Participants: Four hundred seventy-three VR clients (53% female) from 3 district offices of a state rehabilitation agency. Instrument: The POQ (B. Bolton & J. B. Brookings, 1998), which yields 4 subscale scores (Personal Competence, Group Orientation, Self-Determination, and Positive Sense of Identity as a Person With a Disability) and a total empowerment score. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the validity of the 4 subscales as measures of separable components of intrapersonal empowerment and for the total score as an overall indicator of empowered status. Conclusions: Those using the POQ should compute the 4 subscale scores and the total score. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the validity of the California Psychological Inventory Socialization Scale: A multivariate approach.

Isolated groups homogeneous in role-taking ability and described them on dimensions of the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) Socialization (So) scale. Ss were 189 Swedish delinquent and nondelinquent 19-31 yr old males. 6 subscales were constructed by factor analysis. A latent profile analysis of responses to 18 items, selected from the subscales, yielded a low (n = 78 and a high (n = 106) socialization group. 75% of the delinquents were classified as the low group. In a discriminant analysis of subscale scores, the latent profile analysis groups were significantly separated. 5 subscale means were significantly different. Results support the validity of some of the subscales as indicators of the role-taking construct underlying the So scale. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Convergent validity of measures of cognitive distortions, impulsivity, and time perspective with pathological gambling.

The present study investigated the convergent validity of the Gamblers' Beliefs Questionnaire (GBQ; T. A. Steenbergh, A. W. Meyers, R. K. May, & J. P. Whelan, 2002), Gambling Passion Scale (GPS; F. Rousseau, R. J. Vallerand, C. F. Ratelle, G. Mageau, & P. J. Provencher, 2002), Eysenck Impulsivity Questionnaire (EIQ; S. B. G. Eysenck & H. J. Eysenck, 1978), and Stanford Time Perception Inventory (STPI; P. C. Zimbardo & J. N. Boyd, 1999) in reference to pathological gambling. The authors recruited 105 undergraduates representing categories of pathological gamblers, potential pathological gamblers, and nonpathological gamblers and administered the measures under neutral conditions. Both subscales of the GBQ and GPS and the Impulsivity subscale of the EIQ exhibited strong convergent validity, whereas the STPI showed weaker correspondence with symptoms of pathological gambling. Applications and limitations of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychometric properties of the California Psychological Inventory Socialization scale in treatment-seeking alcoholics.

Sociopathy has been identified as a prominent factor affecting the development and treatment of alcoholism. The present report examines the psychometric properties of a scale used to assess sociopathy, the California Psychological Inventory Socialization scale (CPI-So). The participants were 1,627 alcoholic adults taking part in a national trial of patient-treatment matching. The distribution of CPI-So scores was consistent with that of other studies of alcoholics, and the findings support the reliability and validity of the scale with this population. A principal-components analysis was generally consistent with similar analyses of nonalcoholic samples and identified 2 subscales that appear to tap previously described "personality" and "behavioral" dimensions of sociopathy. These subscales may be useful in further studies as potential bases for making patient-treatment matching decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of an attributional style questionnaire for adolescents.

We describe the development and psychometric characteristics of a new version of the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ; Seligman, Abramson, Semmell, & Von Baeyer, 1979)—a version called the Attributional Style Questionnaire for Adolescents (ASQ-A)—using 3 samples (Ns = 547, 438, and 240) of Spanish secondary school students. In Study 1, the initial pool of 87 items was reduced to 54. Study 2 further analyzed the 54 scale items and revealed that the Internality, Stability, and Globality subscale scores had good reliability, good factorial construct validity, and satisfactory associations with maladaptive mood ratings. In Study 3, the regression analyses showed good and specific predictive validities of ASQ-A subscales for the attributions that the adolescents made about a particular real-life stressful situation. Study 4 showed that over an 8-month period the changes in the Stability and Globality subscales depended on the intensity of stressful life events experienced in this period. Overall, the studies revealed that the new ASQ-A served as an appropriate instrument to assess attributional style in adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing attachment following divorce: Development and psychometric evaluation of the Divorce Reaction Inventory.

Describes the development and initial cross-validation of a 46-item questionnaire measure of postseparation attachment: the Divorce Reaction Inventory (DRI). A 5-component definition of attachment was derived from the clinical and theoretical literature, and an initial 70-item questionnaire was administered to a sample of 52 separated and divorced persons. 46 items that discriminated between independently formed attached and unattached criterion groups were included in a revised questionnaire and cross-validated on another sample of 51 separated and divorced persons. Ss were also administered the Beck Depression Inventory and the Interpersonal Dependency Inventory. The results revealed that the DRI had excellent split-half and internal consistency reliabilities, demonstrated adequate concurrent and discriminant validity, and performed in a theoretically predicted manner in 2 construct validity analyses. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality and social change: individual differences, life path, and importance attributed to the women's movement

This article identifies antecedent characteristics of individuals who found the women's movement important and then shows how finding it important was associated with personality change. Eighty-six women provided personality and life data as college seniors in 1958 or 1960, prior to the onset of the women's movement, and in 1981, after the movement gained momentum. A combination of openness, ambition, and dissatisfaction, as assessed by California Psychological Inventory (CPI; H. Gough, 1957/1966) in college, and subsequent life path from ages 28 to 43 significantly predicted importance attributed to the women's movement (IWM). On CPI scales, IWM was associated with significant increases on scales including Dominance, Self-Acceptance, Empathy, Psychological Mindedness, and Achievement via Independence. Correlates of IWM with self-reported feelings at ages 33 and 43 and observer-based personality ratings at age 43 supplemented analyses of personality change. Findings support the utility of examining the impact of social change on personality.     

A Depressive Symptom Scale for the California Psychological Inventory: Construct Validation of the CPI-D.

To facilitate life span research on depressive symptomatology, a depressive symptom scale for the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) is needed. The authors constructed such a scale (the CPI-D) and compared its psychometric properties with 2 widely used self-report depression scales: the Beck Depression Inventory and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Construct validity of the CPI-D was examined in 3 studies. Study 1 established content validity, classifying CPI-D items into Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition depressive symptoms. Study 2 used 3 large samples to gather evidence for reliability and validity: Correlational analyses demonstrated alpha reliability and convergent and discriminant validity; factor analysis provided evidence for discriminant validity with anxiety; and regression analyses demonstrated comparative validity with existing standard PI scales. Study 3 used clinician ratings of depression and anxiety as criteria for external validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Delineating the construct network of the Personnel Reaction Blank: Associations with externalizing tendencies and normal personality.

Integrity testing has long been utilized in personnel selection to screen for tendencies toward counterproductive workplace behaviors. The construct of externalizing from the psychopathology literature represents a coherent spectrum marked by disinhibitory traits and behaviors. The present study drew on a sample of male and female undergraduates to examine the construct network of the Personnel Reaction Blank (PRB; H. G. Gough, R. D. Arvey, & P. Bradley, 2004), a measure of integrity, in relation to externalizing as well as normal-range personality constructs assessed by the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ; A. Tellegen & N. G. Waller, 2008). Results revealed moderate to strong associations between several PRB scales and externalizing, which were largely accounted for by MPQ traits subsumed by Negative Emotionality and Constraint. After accounting for MPQ traits in the prediction of externalizing, a modest predictive increment was achieved when adding the PRB scales, particularly biographical indicators from the Prosocial Background subscale. The findings highlight externalizing as a focal criterion for scale development in the integrity testing literature and help delineate the construct network of the PRB within the domains of personality and psychopathology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity and reliability of a new questionnaire on patient satisfaction in rehabilitative therapy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine some psychometric properties of a new questionnaire measuring patients' satisfaction with respect to the quality of care during stay in a rehabilitation unit. The instrument (called SAT-16) is composed of 16 four-level items and 2 open-ended questions. The construct validity of the 16-item section was already demonstrated in a previous study based on factorial analysis. In this study the concurrent validity, further aspects of the construct validity and test-retest reliability were analyzed. METHODS: The SAT-16 was administered to 339 inpatients, admitted consecutively to a Rehabilitation Center. RESULTS: 262 questionnaires (77%) were returned, of which 221 with all items filled in. The SAT-16 correlated well with two other measures of satisfaction (CSQ-8 and global satisfaction regarding the hospital stay). The answers to two open-ended questions came out to be consistent with those to the 16 closed-ended questions. The high values for the indices of test-retest reliability (ICC and kappa) are evidence of the stability of the scores in two repeated administrations. CONCLUSIONS: The SAT-16 was found to be provided with good psychometric characteristics. It can be proposed as a valid instrument for use in clinical practice for the continuous quality improvement of inpatient medical rehabilitation programmes.     

Construction et validation de l'échelle de motivation en éducation (EME).

Studied the construction, psychometric properties, and validity of an instrument to measure motivation toward education—the EME. The scale consists of 7 subscales assessing 3 types of internal motivation (to know, to accomplish, and to experience sensations) and 3 types of external motivation (external, introjected, and identified regulation). Human subjects: 746 male and female Canadian adults (mean age 17.62–18.97 yrs) (college students). The EME was administered to 3 groups of students during class time. One group was given the scale twice to determine internal stability. Internal consistency, factorial structure, and construct validity were determined using factorial analysis and the LISREL VI statistical software package (K. G. Joreskog and D. Sorbom, 1984). (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Developing a measure of sluggish cognitive tempo for children: Content validity, factor structure, and reliability.

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a construct that some researchers believe may be extremely useful in understanding the inattentive subtype of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and may even help define a completely new disorder. However, the construct of SCT is as yet inadequately operationally or theoretically defined. The authors took the first steps toward developing an empirically supported measure of SCT in children. In Study 1, potential items to measure SCT were identified from a literature review, content validity of the items was evaluated by a group of experts, and a preliminary set of SCT items were selected. In Study 2, ratings completed by parents and teachers of 335 children (ages 4–13) were used to further develop and evaluate the SCT items by computing factor analyses, item-level analyses, reliability analyses, and preliminary validity analyses. The final SCT scale (14 items) produced a total scale score and 3 subscale scores: Slow, Sleepy, and Daydreamer. These scales were constructed with good content validity and were found to have strong reliability. Future directions include replication, extension into a clinical population, and further examination of validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computerized adaptive personality testing: A review and illustration with the MMPI-2 computerized adaptive version.

Computerized adaptive testing in personality assessment can improve efficiency by significantly reducing the number of items administered to answer an assessment question. Two approaches have been explored for adaptive testing in computerized personality assessment: item response theory and the countdown method. In this article, the authors review the literature on each and report the results of an investigation designed to explore the utility, in terms of item and time savings, and validity, in terms of correlations with external criterion measures, of an expanded countdown method-based research version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), the MMPI-2 Computerized Adaptive Version (MMPI-2-CA). Participants were 433 undergraduate college students (170 men and 263 women). Results indicated considerable item savings and corresponding time savings for the adaptive testing modalities compared with a conventional computerized MMPI-2 administration. Furthermore, computerized adaptive administration yielded comparable results to computerized conventional administration of the MMPI-2 in terms of both test scores and their validity. Future directions for computerized adaptive personality testing are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-psychology and the adolescent process: Measures of pseudoautonomy and peer-group dependence.

Developed 2 forced-choice, self-report scales for adolescents called Pseudoautonomy and Peer-Group Dependence with concepts from the self psychology of H. Kohut (1971, 1977). An original set of 47 grandiosity and 48 idealization items were administered to 114 psychiatric inpatients (mean age 15.5 yrs) and 118 high school students (mean age 16 yrs). Analysis showed that both scales were significant predictors of group membership; the overall classification attempt was correct 73% of the time; and the correlation between the scales was low. Findings support the potential validity of the scales for use in counseling with a clinical population of adolescents. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale: development and validation of the general measure

PURPOSE: We developed and validated a brief, yet sensitive, 33-item general cancer quality-of-life (QL) measure for evaluating patients receiving cancer treatment, called the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale. METHODS AND RESULTS: The five-phase validation process involved 854 patients with cancer and 15 oncology specialists. The initial pool of 370 overlapping items for breast, lung, and colorectal cancer was generated by open-ended interview with patients experienced with the symptoms of cancer and oncology professionals. Using preselected criteria, items were reduced to a 38-item general version. Factor and scaling analyses of these 38 items on 545 patients with mixed cancer diagnoses resulted in the 28-item FACT-general (FACT-G, version 2). In addition to a total score, this version produces subscale scores for physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being, as well as satisfaction with the treatment relationship. Coefficients of reliability and validity were uniformly high. The scale's ability to discriminate patients on the basis of stage of disease, performance status rating (PSR), and hospitalization status supports its sensitivity. It has also demonstrated sensitivity to change over time. Finally, the validity of measuring separate areas, or dimensions, of QL was supported by the differential responsiveness of subscales when applied to groups known to differ along the dimensions of physical, functional, social, and emotional well-being. CONCLUSION: The FACT-G meets or exceeds all requirements for use in oncology clinical trials, including ease of administration, brevity, reliability, validity, and responsiveness to clinical change. Selecting it for a clinical trial adds the capability to assess the relative weight of various aspects of QL from the patient's perspective.     

The theory and measurement of empathy.

Discusses several studies that (a) support the idea that empathy is an important aspect of interpersonal behavior and moral conduct and (b) provide further evidence for the validity of R. Hogan's (see record 1969-12966-001) empathy scale. In addition, Minres factor analyses were performed to determine the underlying structure of the empathy scale and its relationship to the California Psychological Inventory (CPI) from which it can be scored in a study with 260 male and 99 female undergraduates. The items on the scale were sorted into 3 factors: (a) tolerant, even-tempered disposition; (b) ascendant, sociable interpersonal style; and (c) humanistic sociopolitical attitudes. With regard to the CPI, the scale was most closely related to the factor labeled interpersonal adequacy. Characteristics of empathic persons and uses of the empathy scale in future research are discussed. (23 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)