Development, reliability, and validity of the Measure of Sexual Identity Exploration and Commitment (MOSIEC).

Four studies were conducted on the development and validation of the Measure of Sexual Identity Exploration and Commitment (MoSIEC). Exploratory factor analysis of an initial item pool yielded a 22-item measure with 4 distinct factors assessing commitment, exploration, sexual orientation identity uncertainty, and synthesis/integration. Exploratory factor analysis findings support the argument that sexual identity is a broad, multidimensional construct and that the MoSIEC assesses the construct of sexual identity in a manner consistent with J. E. Marcia's (1966) model of identity development. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the stability of the MoSIEC factor structure, providing evidence of construct validity. Test-retest stability, internal consistency, and validity coefficients supported the use and continued development of the MoSIEC. Significant differences in levels of exploration and sexual orientation identity uncertainty were found among different sexual orientation identity groups, establishing the criterion-related validity of the MoSIEC. Implications for further development and use of the MoSIEC are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview: Development, reliability, and validity in an adolescent sample.

The authors developed the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI) and evaluated its psychometric properties. The SITBI is a structured interview that assesses the presence, frequency, and characteristics of a wide range of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, including suicidal ideation, suicide plans, suicide gestures, suicide attempts, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This initial study, based on the administration of the SITBI to 94 adolescents and young adults, suggested that the SITBI has strong interrater reliability (average κ = .99, r = 1.0) and test-retest reliability (average κ = .70, intraclass correlation coefficient = .44) over a 6-month period. Moreover, concurrent validity was demonstrated via strong correspondence between the SITBI and other measures of suicidal ideation (average κ = .54), suicide attempt (κ = .65), and NSSI (average κ = .87). The authors concluded that the SITBI uniformly and comprehensively assesses a wide range of self-injury-related constructs and provides a new instrument that can be administered with relative ease in both research and clinical settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII): Development, reliability, and validity of a scale to assess suicide attempts and intentional self-injury.

The authors describe the development of the Suicide Attempt Self-Injury Interview (SASII), an instrument designed to assess the factors involved in nonfatal suicide attempts and intentional self-injury. Using 4 cohorts of participants, authors generated SASII items and evaluated them with factor and content analyses and internal consistency statistics. The final measure was assessed for reliability and validity with collateral measures. The SASII assesses variables related to method, lethality and impulsivity of the act, likelihood of rescue, suicide intent or ambivalence and other motivations, consequences, and habitual self-injury. The SASII was found to have very good interrater reliability and adequate validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Relationship Quality Interview: Evidence of reliability, convergent and divergent validity, and incremental utility.

Relationship satisfaction and adjustment have been the target outcome variables for almost all couple research and therapies. In contrast, far less attention has been paid to the assessment of relationship quality. The present study introduces the Relationship Quality Interview (RQI), a semistructured, behaviorally anchored individual interview. The RQI was designed to provide a more objective assessment of relationship quality as a dynamic, dyadic construct across 5 dimensions: (a) quality of emotional intimacy in the relationship, (b) quality of the couple's sexual relationship, (c) quality of support transactions in the relationship, (d) quality of the couple's ability to share power in the relationship, and (e) quality of conflict/problem-solving interactions in the relationship. Psychometric properties of RQI ratings were examined through scores obtained from self-report questionnaires and behavioral observation data collected cross-sectionally from a sample of 91 dating participants and longitudinally from a sample of 101 married couples. RQI ratings demonstrated strong reliability (internal consistency, interrater agreement, interpartner agreement, and correlations among scales), convergent validity (correlations between RQI scale ratings and questionnaire scores assessing similar domains of relationship quality), and divergent validity (correlations between RQI scale ratings and (a) behavioral observation codes assessing related constructs, (b) global relationship satisfaction scores, and (c) scores on individual difference measures of related constructs). Clinical implications of the RQI for improving couple assessment and interventions are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Child Attachment Interview: A psychometric study of reliability and discriminant validity.

While well-established attachment measures have been developed for infancy, early childhood, and adulthood, a "measurement gap" has been identified in middle childhood, where behavioral or representational measures are not yet sufficiently robust. This article documents the development of a new measure--the Child Attachment Interview (CAI)--which seeks to bridge this gap. The CAI is a semistructured interview, in which children are invited to describe their relationships with their primary caregivers. The coding system is informed by the Adult Attachment Interview and the Strange Situation Procedure, and produces 4 attachment categories along with a continuous measure of attachment security based on ratings of attachment-related dimensions. The main psychometric properties are presented, including interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and discriminant validities, both for normally developing children and for those referred for mental health treatment. The CAI correlates as expected with other attachment measures and predicts independently collected ratings of social functioning. The findings suggest that the CAI is a reliable, valid, and promising measure of child-parent attachment in middle childhood. Directions for improvements to the coding system are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Teenage Inventory of Social Skills: Development, reliability, and validity.

Describes the development and the evaluation of reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of a newly designed self-report questionnaire for the assessment of adolescent social competence: the Teenage Inventory of Social Skills (TISS). Two-week test–retest reliabilities for positive and negative behavior scales were .90 and .72; internal consistencies were .88. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing TISS scales with self-monitoring data, ratings by peers, and sociometric data. Discriminant validity was examined by investigating correlations between scores on the TISS and social desirability, SES, and another paper-and-pencil self-report instrument (Conflict Behavior Questionnaire) thought not to be necessarily related to adolescent social behavior. Results provided adequate evidence for both the convergent and discriminant validity of the TISS scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP-118): Development, factor structure, reliability, and validity.

This article describes a series of studies involving 2,730 participants on the development and validity testing of the Severity Indices of Personality Problems (SIPP), a self-report questionnaire covering important core components of (mal)adaptive personality functioning. Results show that the 16 facets constituted homogeneous item clusters (i.e., unidimensional and internally consistent parcels) that fit well into 5 clinically interpretable, higher order domains: self-control, identity integration, relational capacities, social concordance, and responsibility. These domains appeared to have good concurrent validity across various populations, good convergent validity in terms of associations with interview ratings of the severity of personality pathology, and good discriminant validity in terms of associations with trait-based personality disorder dimensions. Furthermore, results suggest that the domain scores are stable over a time interval of 14-21 days in a student sample but are sensitive to change over a 2-year follow-up interval in a treated patient population. Taken together, the final instrument, the SIPP-118, provides a set of 5 reliable, valid, and efficient indices of the core components of (mal)adaptive personality functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sources of Family Annoyance (SOFA): development, reliability, and validity

The Sources of Family Annoyance (SOFA) is a brief questionnaire intended to measure chronic stressors experienced by fathers and mothers in the home. Two scales, Household Negatives and Child Negatives, were derived from factor analysis. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the instrument discriminated a group of parents of psychiatric clinic-referred children from nonreferred parents. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the instrument discriminated mothers who were receiving public assistance from mothers in a community sample. Results suggest that the SOFA is a reliable and valid brief parent stress assessment instrument that may be useful in family-based interventions to reduce stress and improve the course of pediatric illness.     

UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3): reliability, validity, and factor structure

In this article I evaluated the psychometric properties of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). Using data from prior studies of college students, nurses, teachers, and the elderly, analyses of the reliability, validity, and factor structure of this new version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were conducted. Results indicated that the measure was highly reliable, both in terms of internal consistency (coefficient alpha ranging from .89 to .94) and test-retest reliability over a 1-year period (r = .73). Convergent validity for the scale was indicated by significant correlations with other measures of loneliness. Construct validity was supported by significant relations with measures of the adequacy of the individual's interpersonal relationships, and by correlations between loneliness and measures of health and well-being. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a model incorporating a global bipolar loneliness factor along with two method factor reflecting direction of item wording provided a very good fit to the data across samples. Implications of these results for future measurement research on loneliness are discussed.     

Hunter and Hunter (1984) revisited: Interview validity for entry-level jobs.

Provides a reanalysis of the employment interview for entry-level jobs that overcomes several limitations of J. E. Hunter and R. F. Hunter's (see record 1984-30168-001) article. Using a relatively sophisticated multidimensional framework for classifying level of structure, the authors obtained results from a meta-analysis of 114 entry-level interview validity coefficients suggesting that (1) structure is a major moderator of interview validity; (2) interviews, particularly when structured, can reach levels of validity that are comparable to those of mental ability tests; and (3) although validity does increase through much of the range of structure, there is a point at which additional structure yields essentially no incremental validity. Thus, results suggested a ceiling effect for structure. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development and validation of a Coping with Discrimination Scale: Factor structure, reliability, and validity.

Four studies were conducted to develop and validate the Coping With Discrimination Scale (CDS). In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (N = 328) identified 5 factors: Education/Advocacy, Internalization, Drug and Alcohol Use, Resistance, and Detachment, with internal consistency reliability estimates ranging from .72 to .90. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (N = 328) provided cross-validation of the 5-factor model as well as evidence for validity of the scale. The validity evidence was similar across racial groups and for males and females. In Study 3, the estimated 2-week test–retest reliabilities (N = 53) were between .48 and .85 for the 5 factors. Education/Advocacy, Internalization, Drug and Alcohol Use, and Detachment were positively associated with active coping, self-blame, substance use, and behavioral disengagement, respectively, providing further support for validity of the CDS. Finally, incremental validity evidence was obtained in Study 4 (N = 220), where it was shown that the CDS explained variance in outcome variables (i.e., depression, life satisfaction, self-esteem, and ethnic identity) that could not be explained by general coping strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Large-sample confidence intervals for validity and reliability coefficients.

Large-sample confidence intervals (CI) for reliability, validity, and unattenuated validity are presented. The CI for unattenuated validity is based on the Bonferroni inequality, which relies on one CI for test–retest reliability and one for validity. Covered are four reliability–validity situations: (a) both estimates were from random samples; (b) reliability was from a random sample but validity was from a selected sample; (c) validity was from a random sample but reliability was from a selected sample; and (d) both estimates were from selected samples. All CIs were evaluated by using a simulation. CIs on reliability, validity, or unattenuated validity are accurate as long as selection ratio is at least 20% and selected sample size is 100 or larger. When selection ratio is less than 20%, estimators tend to underestimate their parameters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines: Psychometric properties and validity.

The Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines (DIB) developed by J. G. Gunderson and J. E. Kolb (1976) performed well in distinguishing 59 patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) diagnoses of borderline personality disorder from 31 psychotic inpatients and 50 personality-disordered outpatients (ages 16–55 yrs). However, there was no evidence to support the psychometric rationale for combining the 29 statements used to assess the borderline construct into the 5 area scores (social adaptation, impulse, affects, psychosis, and interpersonal relations) presently utilized in making a DIB borderline diagnosis. Findings do not replicate a previous discriminant function model (Gunderson and Kolb; see record 1979-23763-001) and suggest that further improvements in the construct validity of the DIB will require a clearer delineation of the features of the construct as well as additional studies of the psychometric properties of the present instrument. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS): Construction, reliability, and validity.

Racial microaggressions are subtle statements and behaviors that unconsciously communicate denigrating messages to people of color. In recent years, a theoretical taxonomy and subsequent qualitative studies have introduced the types of microaggressions that people of color experience. In the present study, college- and Internet-based samples of African Americans, Latina/os, Asian Americans, and multiracial participants (N = 661) were used to develop and validate the Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale (REMS). In Study 1, an exploratory principal-components analyses (n = 443) yielded a 6-factor model: (a) Assumptions of Inferiority, (b) Second-Class Citizen and Assumptions of Criminality, (c) Microinvalidations, (d) Exoticization/Assumptions of Similarity, (e) Environmental Microaggressions, and (f) Workplace and School Microaggressions, with a Cronbach's alpha of .912 for the overall model and subscales ranging from .783 to .873. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (n = 218) supported the 6-factor model with a Cronbach's alpha of .892. Further analyses indicate that the REMS is a valid measure of racial microaggressions, as evidenced by high correlations with existing measures of racism and participants' feedback. Future research directions and implications for practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reliability and validity of the Functional Outcome Questionnaire for Aphasia (FOQ-A).

Objective: To perform a psychometric evaluation of the Functional Outcome Questionnaire for Aphasia (FOQ-A), a 32-item instrument designed to assess the extent to which a person who has had a stroke performs several important functional communication behaviors. Research Design: The FOQ-A was administered to family caregivers of persons with a history of left hemisphere stroke (N = 91) undergoing a comprehensive screening assessment to determine their eligibility for participation in research trials for novel stroke rehabilitation interventions. Results: Statistical analyses provided strong support for the internal consistency reliability and the convergent and discriminant validity of the FOQ-A. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution, Basic Verbal Expression and Conversational Response Skills. Conclusions: The present findings build on earlier evidence indicating that the FOQ-A has good psychometric properties and considerable promise as a measure of functional communication in aphasia rehabilitation. Future research will focus on the test-retest reliability, criterion-oriented validity, and predictive validity of the instrument. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The reliability, validity, and design of the Defining Issues Test.

Administered the Defining Issues Test (J. R. Rest, 1974, 1975) to 365 Ss in 3 age groups: junior high, high school, and college. Each scale score discriminated significantly among age groups, as did the Principled Reasoning (P) score. The validity of the P-score with respect to age group was estimated to be .48, and its reliability was estimated to be .70. The design of the test is criticized on the grounds that (a) some stages have many more items associated with them than do other stages (hence, scale scores are not comparable with one another); (b) different dilemmas have different numbers of items from a given stage; (c) there is a significant order artifact for Stage 3 and Stage 4 items; and (d) this order effect interacts with age. Finally, there was evidence in 3 of 6 dilemmas that an S's decision was correlated with his stage of reasoning. It is suggested that the relation of stage to age could be clarified if the design of the test were changed to eliminate the possible effects of decision. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new HIV/AIDS-targeted quality of life (HAT-QoL) instrument: development, reliability, and validity

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to identify quality-of-life concerns, as reported by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive individuals, and to develop a measure to assess these concerns. METHODS: The HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-targeted measure was developed in two linked studies. In study one, group discussions with 42 HIV seropositive individuals were used to generate item content for the new measure. In study two, 201 HIV seropositive individuals were cross-sectionally studied to identify dimensions and to reduce the number of items of the quality of life questionnaire resulting from study one. RESULTS: Study one subjects (76% male; 66% white; 55% gay/bisexual) identified concerns captured by 76 items. Factor analysis indicated that responses of study two subjects (78% male; 42% white; 55% gay/bisexual) could be summarized by nine dimensions. Overall function, sexual function, disclosure worries, health worries, financial worries, HIV mastery, life satisfaction, medication concerns, and provider trust dimensions were refined by removing items using methods to maximize internal consistency and to minimize item redundancy. No substantial ceiling/floor effects existed, except for the provider trust dimension (43% received the highest score possible). All internal consistency coefficients were > or = 0.70, except those for the HIV mastery (0.57) and medication concerns (0.51) dimensions, as well as the sexual function dimension (0.56) in the non-AIDS subsample. Multitrait/multiitem assessment indicated scaling success rates that were high (> or = 91%) for eight of nine dimensions (HIV mastery revealed a lower but modest success rate of 79%). Validity assessments, using self-reported HIV disease severity and sociodemographic variables, indicated expected relationships for all dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Five dimensions of the new HIV/AIDS-targeted quality of life instrument (overall function, disclosure worries, health worries, financial worries, and life satisfaction) exhibited good psychometric properties, including low ceiling/floor effects, good internal consistency, and evidence for construct validity.     

Convergence and concurrent validity of DSM-III diagnoses and the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC).

Evaluated the relations of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) diagnoses and the parent-informant PIC within a sample of 839 behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents. In addition, the ability of DSM-III diagnoses and the PIC to predict teacher and clinician behavior ratings was compared. High proportions of children assigned specific DSM-III diagnoses obtained elevated scores on related PIC scales, although the overlap was imperfect. Also, covariation of the teacher and clinician behavior ratings was much stronger with the PIC than with DSM-III diagnoses. Implications of these findings for clinical practice with children are discussed. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)