Life-management strategies of selection, optimization and compensation: Measurement by self-report and construct validity.

The authors examined the usefulness of a self-report measure for elective selection, loss-based selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) as strategies of life management. The expected 4-factor solution was obtained in 2 independent samples ( N = 218, 14-87 years; N = 181, 18-89 yrs) exhibiting high retest stability across 4 weeks (μ, = .74-82). As expected, middle-aged adults showed higher endorsement of SOC than younger and older adults. Moreover, SOC showed meaningful convergent and divergent associations to other psychological constructs (e.g., thinking styles, NEO) and evinced positive correlations with measures of well-being which were maintained after other personality and motivational constructs were controlled for. Initial evidence on behavioral associations involving SOC obtained in other studies is summarized. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability, sensitivity to measuring change, and construct validity of a measure of counselor adaptability.

Conducted 3 studies with 44 practicing counselors (aged 24–42 yrs), 11 counselors-in-training, and 42 counselors whose experience ranged from MA-level trainees through PhD psychologists with 18 yrs postdoctoral experience as counselors to assess the psychometric adequacy of the Counselor Behavior Analysis Scale (CBAS). The CBAS measures the central explanatory construct of the adaptive counseling and therapy theory of the 2nd author and colleagues (in press), that is, counselor adaptability. Results suggest that counselor adaptability can be appropriately measured by the CBAS and that counselor adaptability is highly predictive of counseling outcome and is related to other counselor constructs (specifically empathy and talkativeness). (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Level validity of self-report whole-family measures.

This article introduces an approach to testing the level validity of family assessment instruments (i.e., whether a family instrument measures family functioning at the level of the system it purports to assess). Two parents and 2 adolescents in 69 families rated the warmth in each of their family relationships and in the family as a whole. Family members' ratings of whole-family warmth assessed family functioning not only at the family level (i.e., characteristics of the family as a whole) but also at the individual level of analysis (i.e., characteristics of family members as raters), indicating a lack of level validity. Evidence was provided for the level validity of a latent variable based on family members' ratings of whole-family warmth. The findings underscore the importance of assessing the level validity of individual ratings of whole-family functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the meaning and measurement of goal commitment.

Recent research by Tubbs and Dahl (1991) and Tubbs (1993) has proposed that discrepancy measures of goal commitment are superior to self-report measures. We explore the theoretical, practical, and empirical problems with discrepancy measures of goal commitment. We reanalyzed some of the relationships discussed by these authors using their data and demonstrate that the failure to control for ability leads to incorrect conclusions regarding the relative usefulness of discrepancy versus self-report measures. In addition, we conducted a separate study to further compare the usefulness of these different measures. Finally, we discuss the meaning of goal commitment and the role of goals in the motivational process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The construct validity of egocentrism.

Briefly explains construct validation and applies it to egocentrism. Conceptual and operational referents of this construct are organized into 3 categories: visual/spatial egocentrism (what does the other see), affective egocentrism (what does the other feel), and cognitive/communicative egocentrism (what is the other thinking). Several kinds of reliability information are reported, and construct validity is evaluated primarily by examination of the relationships among measures of egocentrism within and between categories. Although interrater reliability and interrater agreement were found to be uniformly high for all egocentrism measures examined in a review, and the measurement reliability was usually adequate, a few tasks were not internally consistent. Overall, the construct validity of egocentrism was not supported, since most task intercorrelations were low and often nonsignificant. An alternative interpretation of the data based on cognitive constructs and task- and response-specific variables is proposed. (2? p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validation of a new self-report measure of parental attributions.

Attributional theory and empirical evidence suggest that a tendency to make stable, global self-causal attributions for undesirable events is associated with negative outcomes. However, existing self-report measures of parental attributions do not account for the possibility that dysfunctional parent-causal attributions for child misbehavior might be important predictors of poor family functioning. To address these concerns, the authors developed and tested a new measure of both parent-causal and child-responsible attributions for child misbehavior in a sample of 453 community couples. Structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the new measure were examined. As expected, confirmatory factor analysis resulted in 2 factors, Child-Responsible (9 items) and Parent-Causal (7 items); the final model was cross-validated in a holdout sample. The final scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (αs = .81–.90), test–retest reliability (rs = .55–.76), and convergent and discriminant validity. Dysfunctional parent-causal and child-responsible attributions significantly predicted parental emotional problems, ineffective discipline, parent–child physical aggression, and low parenting satisfaction. Associations with parent–child aggression and parenting satisfaction were generally larger than with partner aggression and relationship satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validation of a self-report measure of unrealistic relationship expectations.

Cognitive models of intimate partner aggression implicate maladaptive relationship beliefs as antecedents to aggression and targets for intervention. However, existing self-report measures of relationship beliefs have failed to differentiate aggressive and nonaggressive individuals, raising questions about their assessment of and role in understanding aggression. To address these concerns, the authors developed and tested a new measure of unrealistic relationship beliefs in a sample of 453 community couples. Structural validity, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the new measure were examined. The final scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (αs=.83-.84), test-retest reliability (rs=.68-.74), and concurrent validity (small to moderate associations with predicted variables). Unrealistic relationship beliefs significantly differentiated aggressive and nonaggressive men, and this association remained significant after the authors controlled for other related variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the construct validity of open-field measures.

This article is a supplement to the summary by R. N. Walsh and R. A. Cummins (1976) of the current status of open-field measures of emotionality. The relevant factor-analytic and multifactor-experimental evidence is summarized. It is concluded that 3 lower order invariant factors underlie the 5 most extensively investigated open-field measures. Latency to move, locomotor activity, and penetration to the center are primarily indices of motor discharge. Open-field defecation is primarily an index of autonomic balance, and open-field urination is primarily an index of territorial marking. It is also concluded that the higher order factor of emotional stability is common to the 3 lower order factors. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The construct validity of the Category Test: Is it a measure of reasoning or intelligence?

Although the Category Test (W. C. Halstead, 1947) is generally described as a measure of abstract reasoning, determination of its construct validity has been difficult given methodological inconsistencies of previous studies. It has been suggested that the Category Test measures intelligence (G. J. Boyle, 1988), although others suggest it measures distinct reasoning processes (M. D. Kelly, D. K. Kundert, & R. S. Dean, 1992; K. Perrine, 1993). This study investigated the construct validity of the Category Test for 308 participants with heterogeneous cognitive dysfunction. A factor analysis using measures of reasoning (Category subtests), intelligence (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised; D. Wechsler, 1981), memory (Wechsler Memory Scale--Revised; D. Wechsler, 1987), and other "problem solving" abilities (Trail Making Test; Army Individual Test Battery, 1944; Tactual Performance Test; W. C. Halstead, 1947) indicated the Category subtests to load on 3 factors distinct from intelligence (and other neuropsychological measures), labeled as follows: Symbol Recognition/Counting (Subtests 1 and 2); Spatial Position Reasoning (Subtests 3, 4, and 7); and Proportional Reasoning (Subtests 5 and 6). Clinical implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hepatitis B validity of drug users' self-report.

Although drug users' self-report has provided data for much of the published literature about drug use, little is known about self-report validity when participants are asked about diseases that are associated with drug abuse, such as hepatitis. Injecting drug users and crack cocaine smokers (N?=?669) were recruited in Anchorage, Alaska, and asked whether they had been diagnosed previously with hepatitis B. These self-report data were compared to various hepatitis B and C seromarkers as measures of validity of self-report expressed as sensitivity and specificity. Results indicate that although test-retest reliability for self-report is high (.905) and specificity is high (96.06% for hepatitis C virus, or HCV), sensitivity is low (23.74% for HCV). Thus, because of its low sensitivity, self-report of hepatitis should be used only as a prevalence estimate lower bound. More than half of the drug users who had contracted hepatitis had never been told that they were infected. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More misgivings about the Matching Familiar Figures Test as a measure of reflection-impulsivity: Absence of construct validity in preadolescence.

As part of an ongoing longitudinal study, Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFFT) performance was assessed in 52 girls and 54 boys at age 11 yrs and related California Child Q-Set evaluations obtained both concurrently and at age 14 yrs. Using hierarchical multiple regression, the relative influence of MFFT latency and error scores in the personality domain were compared. Results show that MFFT latency, by itself, accounted for almost no incremental variance in personality evaluations after error had been partialed out. However, the contribution of MFFT error was appreciable and unique—it was significantly related in many ways to behavior, even after its shared variance with latency had been partialed out. Only for girls were significant MFFT latency-by-error interaction effects observed. It is concluded that the results, consistent with those obtained for the same sample of children 7 yrs earlier and consistent also with the results of many other investigators, are incompatible with the original interpretation of the MFFT. The results are also incompatible with the J. Kagan and S. B. Messer (see record 1975-21125-001) conjecture that developmental changes occur in the meaning of MFFT performance. Evidence is offered for a competence, rather than a conceptual tempo, interpretation of the MFFT. The propriety of continuing to use the MFFT as an index of reflection-impulsivity is strongly questioned. (54 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The construct validity of social desirability.

Replies to A. L. Edwards (see record 1990-13700-001) and J. A. Walsh (see record 1990-13747-001) about R. Hogan and R. A. Nicholson's (see record 1989-00097-001) article on construct validity and social desirability (SD) in personality measurement. Nicholson and Hogan argue that SD does not contaminate self-reports of personality and that there is no lack of differential validity among instruments for SD to explain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validation of a self-report measure of somatic health

The primary purpose was to assess the validity of a new self-report inventory of general somatic health status. In addition, we sought to examine the influence of social desirability and negative affectivity on health reports and to learn whether asking respondents to report concrete, memorable aspects of illness episodes such as seeing a doctor or staying home in bed for all or most of a day would enhance validity. The somatic component of the Cornell Medical Index was used as a criterion measure of health status because that Index has been shown to reflect medical records with great accuracy. Scores on the new health inventory correlated highly with the Cornell somatic scores, and this relationship was independent of negative affectivity and social desirability. The addition of the "concrete, memorable" aspects of illness accounted for no additional variance in the Cornell Index somatic scores beyond that accounted for by mere reporting of the presence of the symptom or illness. This study offers evidence supporting the validity of the Inventory of Health Status as a predictor of somatic health independent of social desirability and negative affectivity and also indicates that a simple indication of whether the patient had the symptoms is sufficient.     

Exploring the construct validity of the eating disorder continuum.

Although many counseling psychologists conceptualize eating disturbances along a continuum of degree, there appears to be a dearth of research exploring the construct validity of this eating disorder continuum hypothesis (L. B. Mintz et al., 1997). Specific psychological, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics known to be related to clinical eating disorders (C. Fairburn, 1995; D. M. Garner, 1991) were examined in 2 studies undertaken to explore whether these characteristics vary by eating disorder continuum placement. In Study 1, Neuroticism, as measured by the NEO–Five Factor Inventory (FFI), was found to vary by continuum placement in a sample of 169 women. In Study 2, 8 out of 9 Eating Disorder Inventory–2 (EDI–2) subscales and dieting locus of control varied significantly by continuum placement for a sample of 135 women. Scores on Neuroticism and many EDI–2 subscales (i.e., on which higher scores are more indicative of disordered eating) increased in a linear fashion, and women adopted a more internal dieting locus of control as the severity of disturbed eating increased, supporting the construct validity of the eating disorder continuum. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Examining the construct validity of the Eating Disorder Inventory.

The construct validity of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) was examined in 3 samples. An archival clinic sample (n=318) of women completed the EDI, a structured interview, and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory--II (MCMI-II). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) indicated that neither null nor 1-factor models of the EDI fit item-level or item-parcel data. The proposed 8-factor model did not fit at the item level but did fit item-parcel data. Reliability estimates of the 8 scales ranged from .82 to .93, and low-to-moderate interscale correlations among the eating and weight-related scales provided partial support for convergent validity. EDI personality scales showed moderate interscale correlations and were associated with MCMI-II scales. A final CFA of the EDI scales supported a 2-factor model (Eating and Weight, Personality) of the 8 EDI scales. Strong associations between depression and several EDI scale scores were found in a treatment study sample (n=50). The archival clinic sample scored significantly higher on the 8 EDI scales than the nonpatient college comparison sample (n=487). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence for the convergent validity of two self-report metamemory questionnaires.

Examined the convergent validity of two metamemory questionnaires: the Metamemory in Adulthood questionnaire (MIA) and the Memory Functioning Questionnaire (MFQ). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that each instrument yields a higher-order factor labeled Memory Self-Efficacy (MSE) with approximately a .9 factor correlation. The analysis also showed convergence of the two questionnaires' scales measuring self-reported strategy use and perceived change in MSE. Simultaneous factor analysis in multiple cross-sectional age groups indicated that MSE has age-invariant factor loadings, although there was an age-related increase in the correlation of the MSE and Change factors. Additional models suggested (a) age differences in metamemory scales are primarily produced by age differences in MSE and (b) a minor method factor in the MFQ, producing both the less-than-perfect correlation of the two MSE factors and a reduced sensitivity of the MFQ to age differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The construct validity of depressive personality disorder.

This study examined the construct validity of depressive personality disorder (DPD; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Adult Psychiatric outpatients (N=900) underwent comprehensive Axis I and II evaluations and provided data on 4,768 of their 1st-degree relatives. Despite modest overlap, DPD was not redundant with any Axis I or II disorder. Participants with DPD exhibited more Axis I and Axis II comorbidity, and greater psychosocial dysfunction, than participants without DPD. Relatives of participants with DPD had higher rates of mood disorders, alcohol abuse, and antisocial personality. Results are consistent with findings of several other similar investigations. The authors argue that DPD is a valid construct and should be conceptualized as a personality disorder as opposed to a mood disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence concerning the construct validity of conceptual level as a personality variable.

100 female 12th graders from Southern Ontario, classified as either high, moderate, or low in conceptual level (CL) by the Paragraph Completion Test, were examined for differences in integrative complexity as well as movement toward interpersonal maturity. Ss completed the Wonderlic Intelligence Test, Rasmussen Ego Identity Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. After controlling for intelligence, the higher CL group exhibited significantly superior performance on the more complex aspects of an impression formation task and higher ego identity and lower anxiety scores. Correlational analysis revealed that CL tended to be related to higher level task measures and to ego identity and anxiety, while intelligence tended to be related to less complex aspects of the impression task. Intelligence itself was unrelated to ego identity and anxiety. Findings support the construct validity of CL as outlined by D. E. Hunt at al (1977). (French summary) (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A factor analytic study on the validity of a union commitment scale.

A 28-item version of the union commitment scale developed by M. E. Gordon et al (see record 1980-33572-001) and by R. T. Ladd et al (see record 1983-02449-001) was administered to 98 Black and 104 White South African miners. Using a factor analytic technique, 5 orthogonal factors were extracted: Union Loyalty, Responsibility to the Union, Organization/Work Loyalty, Belief in the Union, and Union Instrumentality. There were no significant racial differences in the dimensionality of union commitment, although Blacks showed lower Responsibility to the Union. The concurrent validity of the constructs of commitment was supported by correlations between the factors of union commitment and measures of behavioral participation. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)