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)     

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)     

Validation of the Classroom Behavior Inventory.

Used factor-analytic methods to assess construct validity of the Classroom Behavior Inventory (CBI) by L. M. Greenberg, et al, a clinically developed scale for rating behaviors associated with hyperactivity. Administration to 320 kindergarten males revealed that the CBI measures 3 dimensions of behavior: Hyperactivity, Hostility, and Sociability. Correlations of CBI ratings and classroom observations were used to measure concurrent validity. Significant concurrent validity was obtained only for the CBI impulsiveness category. The utility of the CBI in identification and treatment of Ss with behavior problems is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of the Hypochondriasis Domain: The Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits (MIHT).

Although hypochondriasis is associated with the costly use of unnecessary medical resources, this mental health problem remains largely neglected. A lack of clear conceptual models and valid measures has impeded accurate assessment and hindered progress. The Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits (MIHT) addresses these deficiencies with scales that correspond to a 4-factor model. The MIHT was built with construct validity as a guiding principle and began with an item pool that broadly assessed dimensions identified in the literature. The items were administered to large samples; factor analyses of the responses led to item pool revisions and scale refinements. Multiple studies validated the final MIHT scales and 4-factor model; these findings suggest that the MIHT will contribute to theory and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discriminative validity of parent report of hypomanic and depressive symptoms on the General Behavior Inventory.

It often is difficult clinically to differentiate bipolar disorder from other mental health conditions in young people. This study evaluated a parent report measure of depressive and hypomanic/biphasic symptoms. Parents of 196 youths, who were 5 to 17 years old and presented at an outpatient research center, completed an adapted General Behavior Inventory (GBI). Factor analyses suggested two dimensions, depression and biphasic/hypornania. Logistic regressions using these scales discriminated mood disorder versus disruptive behavior disorder or no diagnosis, unipolar versus bipolar disorder, and bipolar versus disruptive behavior disorder based on structured interviews. Classification rates exceeded 80%, and receiver operating characteristic analyses showed good diagnostic efficiency for the scales, with areas under the curve greater than .80. Results indicate that clinicians can use the parent-completed GBI to derive clinically meaningful information about mood disorders in youths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relation of the Vocational Preference Inventory to the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire.

How valid is the Holland Vocational Preference Inventory? The VPI, a short form of this inventory, and Form A of Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factor test were administered via mail to 783 boys and 394 girls and the scores intercorrelated. These "generally provided positive evidence for the construct validity of the VPI and its rationale." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal construct validity of Brief Symptom Inventory subscales in schizophrenia.

Longitudinal validity of Brief Symptom Inventory subscales was examined in a sample (N = 318) with schizophrenia-related illness measured at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years. Nonlinear factor analysis of items was used to test graded response models (GRMs) for subscales in isolation. The models varied in their within-time and between-times parameter constraints, with the homogeneous model being the least constrained, followed by the 2-parameter GRM and 1-parameter GRM. Results show that 4 subscales (Interpersonal Sensitivity, Hostility, Paranoid Ideation, Psychoticism) were consistent with the 1-parameter GRM, and 5 subscales (Somatization, Obsessive-Compulsive, Depression, Anxiety, Phobic Anxiety) were consistent with the 2-parameter GRM. There is evidence that the 9 subscales may be validly used to study change in single constructs over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Factor Structure of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory: Validity and Implications for Clinical Assessment.

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by impulsive antisocial deviance in the context of emotional and interpersonal detachment. A factor analysis of the subscales of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI) yielded evidence for 2 factors. One factor showed relations with external criteria mirroring those of the emotional-interpersonal facet of psychopathy, including high dominance, low anxiety, and venruresomeness. The other factor showed relations paralleling those of the social deviance facet of psychopathy, including positive correlations with antisocial behavior and substance abuse, negative correlations with socioeconomic status and verbal ability, and personality characteristics including high negative emotionally and low behavioral constraint. Findings support using the PPI to assess these facets of psychopathy in community samples and to explore their behavioral correlates and genetic-neurobiological underpinnings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Screening for Obsessive and Compulsive Symptoms: Validation of the Clark-Beck Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory.

The 25-item Clark-Beck Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (CBOCI) was developed to assess the frequency and severity of obsessive and compulsive symptoms. The measure uses a graded-response format to assess core symptom features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria and current cognitive-behavioral formulations. Revisions were made to the CBOCI on the basis of psychometric and item analyses of an initial pilot study of clinical and nonclinical participants. The construct validity of the revised CBOCI was supported in a subsequent validation study involving OCD, nonobsessional clinical, and nonclinical samples. A principal-factor analysis of the 25 items found 2 highly correlated factors of Obsessions and Compulsions. OCD patients scored significantly higher on the measure than nonobsessional anxious, depressed, and nonclinical samples. The questionnaire had strong convergent validity with other OCD symptom measures but more modest discriminant validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discriminant validity of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with concomitant executive function deficits often being the focus of empirical and clinical investigation. This study explored the validity of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form (BRIEF; Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000) for children with ADHD and a matched control sample. Fifty-eight children with ADHD (69% with comorbidity) and 58 matched controls were found to exhibit statistically (p     

Inferential structure of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory: Construct validity of the Big Four personality clusters.

Four studies investigated the dimensionality of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI; P. T. Costa & R. R. McCrae, 1992). In Study 1, four inferential dimensions and four clusters represented the NEO-FFI when 114 undergraduates freely sorted items into categories. Construct validity for four item-clusters derived from the inferential space was obtained in Study 2 based on self-report with 304 undergraduates. Study 3 validated these inferential clusters using self and peer reports for 420 undergraduates. Study 4 validated the cluster scales for predicting quality of life and significant social and cultural behaviours for 110 undergraduates. Implications for implicit personality theory, the number of dimensions issue in personality, and test construction are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acceptance in romantic relationships: The Frequency and Acceptability of Partner Behavior Inventory.

Despite the recent emphasis on acceptance in romantic relationships, no validated measure of relationship acceptance presently exists. To fill this gap, the 20-item Frequency and Acceptability of Partner Behavior Inventory (FAPBI; A. Christensen & N. S. Jacobson, 1997) was created to assess separately the acceptability and frequency of both positive and negative relationship behaviors. Data from 12,752 community individuals, 415 community couples, and 134 couples seeking marital therapy indicated that the FAPBI comprises four factors: Affection, Closeness, Demand, and Violation. These factors were consistent across gender, relationship type, and sexual orientation. Furthermore, the factors were internally consistent, correlated with relationship satisfaction, and differentiated couples seeking marital therapy from nondistressed couples in the community. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and Psychometric Properties of the Disability Application Appraisal Inventory.

This article describes the development and psychometric properties of an inventory to assess cognitive appraisal of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability application process, the Disability Application Appraisal Inventory (DAAI). Participants were 439 veterans seeking disability status for posttraumatic stress disorder through the VA and subgroups from that sample. The 3 DAAI scales assess (a) understanding of the disability application process (Knowledge scale) (b) expectations specific to the process (Negative Expectations scale) and (c) investment in obtaining disability status (Importance scale). The scales are internally consistent and largely uncorrelated. Test-retest correlations are adequate for the Negative Expectations and Importance scales. Evidence of factorial and construct validity is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"The Differentiation of Self Inventory: Development and initial validation": Errata.

Reports an error in "The Differentiation of Self Inventory: Development and initial validation" by Elizabeth A. Skowron and Myrna L. Friedlander (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1998[Jul], Vol 45[3], 235-246). In the January 1998 edition of the Journal of Counseling Psychology (Volume 45, Number 3, p. 246), the key to the Appendix was printed incorrectly. Please see the attached errata for further information. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1998-04269-001.) Despite the importance of Bowen theory (M. Bowen, 1976,1978; M. E. Kerr & Bowen, 1988) in the field of family therapy, there have been relatively few studies to date examining its constructs or propositions. To fill this gap, a self-report instrument, the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) has been developed. The DSI is a multidimensional measure of differentiation that focuses specifically on adults (age 25+), their significant relationships, and current relations with family of origin. Six-hundred and nine adults participated in a series of 3 studies, in which DSI scores—reflecting less emotional reactivity, cutoff, and fusion with others, and a greater ability to take an "I position"—predicted lower chronic anxiety, better psychological adjustment, and greater marital satisfaction. Other results consistent with Bowen theory are discussed, along with the potential contribution of the DSI for testing Bowen theory, as a clinical assessment tool, and as an indicator of psychotherapeutic outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychometric Properties of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI): A Replication With Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors.

This study examined the factor structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, discriminant validity, and discriminative validity of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI; E. B. Foa, A. Ehlers, D. M. Clark, D. F. Tolin, & S. M. Orsillo, 1999) in a sample of 112 individuals who had experienced a serious motor vehicle accident. Results generally supported the 3-factor structure of the PTCI: (a) Negative Cognitions About Self, (b) Negative Cognitions About the World, and (c) Self-Blame. Subscales reflecting negative thoughts of the self and world showed adequate internal consistency, as well as good concurrent, discriminant, and discriminative validity. However, difficulties with the subscale representing self-blame emerged, specifically poor concurrent and discriminant validity. Potential reasons for this finding are discussed. The PTCI seems to be a promising measure of negative and dysfunctional posttrauma cognitions, which deserves continuing attention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A factor analysis of the California Psychological Inventory.

Using test scores from 372 Ss, various statistical analyses indicated that a reduced set of 6 scales accounts for about ? of the total variance in the CPI. "… the reference scales provide more concise and less ambiguous definitions of the variables assessed by the CPI and have considerable promise as measures of the normal personality." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of the Refugee Trauma Experience Inventory.

This article reports the development and validation of a new self-report measure, the Refugee Trauma Experience Inventory (RTEI). This scale was designed to assess refugees’ traumatic experiences. The RTEI was administered to 226 Tibetan refugees (113 men and 113 women) residing in India. Principal-components analysis generated 3 factors—Survival Trauma, Ethnic Concern, and Deprivation–Uncertainty. Three subscales and the Total scale showed high internal consistency. The factors derived from this scale correlated moderately to strongly with theoretically related constructs such as intrusion, avoidance, rumination, and posttraumatic schema changes, namely negative cognitions about the self and world and self-blame, thus endorsing the RTEI’s convergent validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Validity indices for the Heston Personal Adjustment Inventory.

For a sample of 88 female freshmen, scores on the Heston PAI were correlated with ratings (faculty, counselor, dormitory head) on six personality traits named after the Heston scales, and raters were asked to note certain types of behavior considered symptomatic of difficulty in adjustment to college. "The correlations… indicative of association between trait scores and faculty ratings are considerably lower than similar indices reported from other studies cited in the… Manual… . Further, the inventory failed to discriminate between students who seemed to have considerable difficulty adjusting to college and those who did not… one must conclude that the… Inventory is of limited practical value for predicting adjustment to college life." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessing Consequences of Substance Use: Psychometric Properties of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences.

Negative consequences are an important component of the substance use change process, yet no standardized measure exists to assess consequences of use. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Drug Use Consequences, a self-report measure assessing drinking and drug use consequences. Participants (N=252) were assessed at entry into outpatient substance abuse treatment. Items loaded strongly on 1 factor, and internal consistency of the total scale was high. Fifteen items with the highest correlations with the total scale were chosen to represent the construct. The shortened measure exhibited good internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and detected change over time and may be the measure of substance use consequences that is lacking in the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The convergence and predictive validity of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory and the Personality Assessment Inventory among individuals with chronic pain.

Objective: To explore the convergence, redundancy, and validity of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) and the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) in a chronic pain treatment setting. Participants: Data from intake (N=235) and follow-up (N=187) for individuals with an average of 9 years of chronic pain who participated in a 20-day integrative treatment program were analyzed. Outcome Measures: Oswestry Disability Index, Beck Depression and Anxiety inventories, Rand Short-Form Health Survey, and clinician-rated ability to stand and carry. Results: Conjoint factor analyses suggested that the MPI and PAI combine to tap five orthogonal factors: Negative Affect, Support, Externalizing, Physical Dysfunction, and Impulsivity. MPI and PAI scales significantly related to various aspects of client functioning, although these scales were more limited in predicting clinician-rated markers and change during treatment. Conclusion: Results support the combined use of the MPI and PAI to understand patient heterogeneity and predict treatment outcome in chronic pain samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)