Factor structure of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire.

Separate factor analyses of the items of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire for 419 undergraduate and graduate students yielded 4 factors for each instrument. The BSRI is seen as potentially more promising of independent measurement of constructs related to masculine–feminine identity but as still lacking in purity. The low scorer on BSRI Masculinity is seen as penalized, in that this scale contains several items interpreted as related to maturity or self-confidence. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Masculinity–femininity and encoding of nonverbal cues.

Three studies examined the within-sex relationship between masculinity–femininity and accuracy of encoding (sending) nonverbal cues. 246 undergraduates performed a variety of encodings tasks, and completed instruments including the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, Perceived Encoding Ability Scale, and Affective Communication Test. Encoding was operationally defined as intentional expression or involuntary "leakage" of affect. Both auditory (standard-content speech or content-filtered speech) and visual (facial expressions) channels were examined. More accurate encoders of intentional cues in both channels scored higher on femininity and lower on masculinity. Auditory leakage was also positively correlated with femininity and negatively correlated with masculinity; facial leakage was not correlated with the masculinity–femininity measures. Because the face is a highly controlled channel, facial leakage may be a relatively poor indicator of encoding ability and insensitive to the individual differences tapped by the masculinity–femininity measures. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor structure integrity of the Personal Attributes Questionnaire: An English–French comparison.

The Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) is one of the pre-eminent measures of gender-specific personality characteristics. To evaluate the PAQ'S viability 20 yrs after its creation, the authors assessed the dimensionality and psychometric properties of the original PAQ and a French version using samples of 637 English-speaking and French-speaking university administrators. The structure of the English form of the PAQ was supported for both women and men when the data were submitted to confirmatory analyses. Support was not as convincing for the dimensionality of the French form of the PAQ, however. Some evidence for expected differences in mean Instrumentality and Expressivity scores was found between women and men. Findings support the continued use of the English PAQ as a measure of Instrumental and Expressive personality traits. Further study of the French PAQ is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Masculinity, femininity, androgyny, and cognitive performance: A meta-analysis.

Reviewed studies on the relation between gender self-concept and performance on spatial, mathematical, and verbal tasks to evaluate S. C. Nash's (1979) hypothesis that individuals will perform better on cognitive tasks when their self-concepts match the gender stereotyping of the tasks. Meta-analytic techniques were used to estimate the average effect sizes and to determine the significance of the combined probabilities. The influence of Ss' sex and age, date of study, type of spatial task, and type of self-concept measure on these associations was also examined. In general, the results from spatial and mathematical tasks, which are usually stereotyped as masculine, support Nash's hypothesis. Higher masculine and lower feminine self-concept scores were associated with better performance. These relations were observed more consistently for females than for males. There was some evidence of better spatial and mathematical performance among adolescent boys who described themselves as feminine. Nash's hypothesis was not supported for verbal tasks. There was no evidence that androgyny, defined either as high masculine and high feminine scores or as a balance between masculine and feminine scores, is associated with better cognitive performance. (3? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Masculinity, femininity, and androgyny viewed and assessed as distinct concepts.

Evaluated (a) the equivalence of the scales of the short Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire (EPAQ), (b) the construct validity of the short BSRI and EPAQ as measures of well-being, (c) the validity of the concept of androgyny as an intrinsically interactive (rather than simply additive) concept, and (d) the utility and meaning of 2 special EPAQ measures—unmitigated agency and unmitigated communion. 172 college students participated. The short BSRI and EPAQ were empirically interchangeable when placed in a multitrait–multimethod matrix and 2 extrinsic convergent validation rectangles. A hierarchical multiple-regression analysis with interaction terms obtained with the Differential Personality Questionnaire provided only partial support for masculinity and femininity as measures of psychological well-being and no support for the significance of androgyny treated as an interaction of masculinity and femininity. Unmitigated agency and communion did not show the expected negative correlations with the mutual mitigation (interaction) of masculinity and femininity. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validating the Children's Behavior Questionnaire in Dutch children: Psychometric properties and a cross-cultural comparison of factor structures.

In this article, we examined the factorial validity of the Dutch translation of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) and the Very Short Form scores. In addition, we conducted cross-cultural comparisons of temperament structure. In total, 353 parents of 6- to 8-year-olds completed the instrument. The original higher order factor structure of the different CBQ forms was generally replicated and represented the three broad dimensions of temperament: Surgency/Extraversion, Negative Affectivity, and Effortful Control. For the Standard Form, results demonstrated a relatively high degree of factor similarity of the Dutch sample with other cultures (e.g., China and Japan). The findings provide evidence for applicability of the CBQ in Western Europe as a promising instrument to comprehensively assess reactive and self-regulative temperamental dimensions in young children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire—Revised: Psychometric examination.

This study examines the psychometric properties of the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire—Revised (CASQ–R; N. J. Kaslow & S. Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991), a 24-item shortened measure derived from the 48-item CASQ designed to assess children's causal explanations for positive and negative events. The data for this study come from 1,086 children, 9 to 12 years old, with equal representation of boys and girls and African American and Caucasian children. Approximately one half (n?=?475) of the youths also completed the CASQ–R 6 months later. Results revealed that although the CASQ-R was somewhat less reliable than the original CASQ, with moderate internal consistency reliability and fair test-retest reliability, it demonstrated equivalent criterion-related validity with self-reported depressive symptoms. Psychometric properties of the CASQ-R showed some variation by race, such that the overall composite demonstrated better internal consistency and criterion-related validity among Caucasian youths than among African American youths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intimacy and individuation in young adults: Development of the young adult version of the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire.

Reports a series of studies on the development of the young adult version of the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire (PAFS-QVC). The instrument includes 7 scales measuring individuation-fusion, intimacy-isolation, and personal authority-intimidation. In Study 1 (N?=?321 college students), exploratory factor analyses evaluated the conceptual scales and items. The theoretical scales were generally confirmed. Study 2 (N?=?712 college students) replicated the findings from Study 1 using confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was established through correlations with other measures of family relationships and psychological functioning. The PAFS-QVC discriminated between clinical and nonclinical samples, and gender differences were noted on the PAFS-QVC. Implications for use of the instrument in psychotherapy and intergenerational family systems theory are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personal responsibility and altruism in children.

Applied P. G. Zimbardo's (1970) deindividuation model to the study of prosocial behavior by asking 177 4–13 yr old Halloween trick-or-treaters in groups of 2–5 Ss to donate candy to hospitalized children under 3 conditions. The designation of personal responsibility for the amount donated was manipulated as follows: no child identified as responsible; one child identified as responsible; and each child identified as responsible. As predicted, personal responsibility increased the likelihood of contributing as well as the number of candies donated. Assigning individual responsibility increased the number of candies donated by each S only if they were in small groups. The absence of a similar outcome among Ss in large groups suggests that the greater social support and/or the greater potential for the diffusion of responsibility in these groups effectively countered the effect of the manipulation of responsibility. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Counselor Response Questionnaire.

A 15-item paper-and-pencil questionnaire measuring effectiveness in the selection of appropriate counselor responses to client statements was developed from a microcounseling orientation. The Counselor Response Questionnaire (CRQ) is intended primarily for measuring beginning counseling skills. The sample included 157 undergraduates in an introductory psychology course, 19 advanced undergraduates and graduate psychology majors with some training in counseling skills, 80 paraprofessional drug-abuse counselors, and 15 doctoral-level counselors and clinical psychologists. The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and factor structure of the CRQ are discussed, and the discriminant validity of the CRQ is supported by results from a discriminant analysis. Additional evidence of validity is given by the correlation of scores on the CRQ with rankings of paraprofessional counselor trainees on counseling effectiveness and with ratings of responses in a simulated counseling interview. The overall results indicate that the CRQ is a valid and efficient measure of beginning counseling skills. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Gamblers' Beliefs Questionnaire.

The Gamblers' Beliefs Questionnaire (GBQ) is a self-report measure of gamblers' cognitive distortions. GBQ test items were constructed on the basis of theory, empirical evidence, and expert review. Four hundred three adults completed the initial set of items, and 21 items werr selected to make up the final GBQ. The factor structure of the GBQ consisted of 2 closely related factors: Luck/Perseverance and Illusion of Control. The full scale showed good internal consistency (α?=?.92) and adequate test-retest reliability (r?=?.77). Problem and pathological gamblers scored higher than nonproblem gamblers on the GBQ and its factors. GBQ scores were moderately correlated with the duration of gambling sessions among problem and pathological gamblers, and there was no relationship between GBQ scores and social desirability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Conceptualization and measurement of patient change during psychotherapy: Development of the Outcome Questionnaire and Youth Outcome Questionnaire.

Suggests that the age of accountability has been thrust on psychotherapists by rising healthcare costs and the consequent growth of managed care. Accordingly, tracking psychotherapy outcomes is becoming a requirement for most practitioners. There are benefits in accepting and employing treatment outcome measurement as an integral part of clinical practice. The construction and psychometric characteristics of 2 measures of treatment outcome are described: the Outcome Questionnaire and the Youth Outcome Questionnaire, and the potential applications of outcome assessment from 2 perspectives, managed care administrators and clinicians, are illustrated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Morphological Development in Children's Writing.

This study focused on the development of children's control of morphological markers in their writing. The authors examined inflectional and derivational morphological forms within narratives written by 247 3rd and 4th graders. The majority of 3rd and 4th graders used inflectional forms consistently and accurately in their writing. In contrast, fewer students used derived forms, and significantly more 4th than 3rd graders used them accurately. Results indicate that children's control of morphological structures in their writing mirrors that in their speech: Inflectional morphology is largely mastered by age 9 or 10, but skills with derivational morphology continue to develop in middle childhood. The relationships among written morphological accuracy, reading, and spelling were also examined. Written morphological accuracy predicted reading and spelling performance at both grade levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personal space in nursery school children.

Examined personal space in 34 nursery school children by 2 methods. In one, unobtrusive observations of actual interpersonal distance choices in 4 different social situations were made. In the other, the same Ss chose interpersonal distances in 4 similar social situations represented symbolically by drawings. Results demonstrate that Ss already show regular variations in personal space based on acquaintance (acquaintances closer than strangers), sex (boys greater than girls), and social context (informal greater than formal). Three interactions were also significant. Projective and naturalistic observation measurement methods produced similar results, contrary to the conclusions of recent reviews. Conceptually, however, there may be 2 types of personal space—perceived and objective interpersonal distance. (French summary) (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of the Family Ritual Questionnaire: Initial reliability and validation studies.

In light of the increasing interest in the role of family rituals in promoting mental health, a self-report questionnaire was developed. The Family Ritual Questionnaire (FRQ) assesses family rituals across 7 settings ranging from dinnertime to religious celebrations and across 8 dimensions ranging from roles to symbolic significance. Four studies were conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the FRQ. Adequate internal consistency, construct validity in comparison to the Family Environment Scale (R. H. Moos and B. S. Moos, 1986), test–retest reliability, and within-family agreement were established. The symbolic significance associated with family rituals was positively related to adolescent self-esteem and negatively related to adolescent anxiety. Clinical implications for the importance of symbolic meaning associated with family rituals are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Uncivil Workplace Behavior Questionnaire.

This article describes the development and validation of a new measure of workplace incivility, the Uncivil Workplace Behavior Questionnaire (UWBQ). Participants included 5 samples of Australian adult employees (total N=368). Principal axis factoring of the UWBQ yielded 4 interpretable factors (Hostility, Privacy Invasion, Exclusionary Behavior, and Gossiping), all of which exhibited high internal consistency. The 4-factor structure received further support from a confirmatory factor analysis on a hold-out sample. A series of correlation and regression analyses revealed that the UWBQ subscales exhibited sound convergent, divergent, and concurrent validity. The psychometric properties of the UWBQ are contrasted with those of the Workplace Incivility Scale (L. M. Cortina, V. J. Magley, J. H. Williams, & R. D. Langhout, 2001), to the authors' knowledge the only other measure of the workplace incivility construct available to date. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the relationship of CPI femininity and intelligence.

Notes that the California Psychological Inventory includes a masculinity-femininity (M-F) measure, Fe, similar to other M-F scales. Although the test author suggests that Fe is positively related to intelligence for females but negatively for males, a review of the literature failed to substantiate this claim. The correlation of Fe and intellectual measures was low in magnitude and was not different in direction for the sexes. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire: Negative cognitive processes and depression among children.

The Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ [S. D. Hollon and P. C. Kendall; see PA, Vol 66:180]) assesses negative thoughts that are associated with depression among adults. In this study, the scale was extended to children. Internal consistency and validity of the ATQ were evaluated with 250 child psychiatric inpatient children (ages 6 to 13). Validity was evaluated by examining whether depressed and nondepressed children differed on the scale, whether performance was related to other measures of cognitive attributional processes, and whether the measure was more closely related to depression and cognitive processes than to other constructs predicted to be less central to negative thoughts. The ATQ showed high internal consistency and yielded moderate to high item–total score correlations. Convergent validity was supported by the finding that the ATQ correlated positively with severity of depression, hopelessness, and external locus of control and negatively with self-esteem. Discriminant validity was suggested, but not strongly supported, by higher correlations between ATQ and measures of depression and other cognitive processes than between the ATQ and severity of impairment, prosocial behavior, and positive affective experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of the Children's Apperceptive Story-Telling Test.

This study reports the development of the Children"s Apperceptive Story-Telling Test (CAST), which uses story telling to evaluate the emotional functioning of children ages 6–13. The CAST yields profile scores on 4 major factors (Adaptive, Nonadaptive, Immature, and Uninvested) and 15 adaptive, nonadaptive, and problem-solving scales. The CAST is an attempt to address the psychometric issues present with traditional apperceptive techniques in that it offers a nationally representative standardization sample (N?=?876); the development of an objective Likert-type scoring system based on an Adlerian theoretical model; colored picture stimuli reflective of contemporary family, peer, and school contexts; separate but equivalent stimulus pictures of boys and girls that have been subjected to studies on ethnic sensitivity; and demonstrated viable validity and reliability with school-based behavior-disordered children (N?=?322). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)