State–trait anxiety and existential fear: an empirical analysis

The Fear Checklist consists of 18 items (e.g. intimacy, loss of control, failure) a respondent checks to signify areas that have been or currently are personal sources of concern and/or apprehension. Total scores on the Fear Checklist, along with scores on each of its three subscales (Social, Control, Identity), were correlated with the state (A-State) and trait (A-Trait) anxiety scales of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Both the A-State and A-Trait scales demonstrated significant association with the total Fear Checklist score (r_stat =0.48, r_trait=0.50) and each of its three subscales in a group of 135 male federal prisoners. Despite substantial overlap between the A-State and A-Trait scales (r=0.76), each achieved significant partial correlations with the total Fear Checklist score when the other scale was controlled (i.e. the A-Trait score was controlled in the state anxiety–fear relationship and the A-State score was controlled in the trait anxiety–fear relationship). These results lend preliminary support to the notion that existential fear, as measured by the Fear Checklist, is sensitive to both dispositionally (A-Trait) and situationally (A-State) based anxiety, although the majority of variance shared by the STAI and Fear Checklist was common to both STAI scales.     

Development of a Japanese version of the emotional skills and competence questionnaire

The present study described development of a Japanese version of the Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire and examined the relations of scores with those on Big Five scales of personality and self-esteem scales. The participants were 615 undergraduates. Factor analysis led to the shortened version of 24 items in three subscales. Although Cronbach alphas were low for the subscale, Manage and Regulate Emotion, values were satisfactory for the other two subscales, Express and Label Emotion and Perceive and Understand Emotion. Total scores of this version were positively correlated with score for self-esteem, Extraversion, and Openness but negatively correlated with scores on Neuroticism. This shorter Japanese versions shows suitable internal consistency and content validity, but other reliabilities and validities must be examined precisely.     

Item level validity of the Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale

Using a random sample of children in grades one through six as well as a sample of children referred for social or emotional problems, the item level validity of the Devereux Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale was assessed. Results indicated that Devereux responses for normal children tended to be skewed, with the item means falling near the positive end of the response continuum and with narrow standard deviations. Item means in the referred sample were closer to the center of the distribution and tended to have larger standard deviations. When item-to-subscale correlations were considered, the Devereux items, in general, were significantly correlated with their home subscale. Thirty-two of the 45 items on the scale had home scale correlations that were significantly higher than any other subscale correlation for that item. K-R 20 coefficients for subscales ranged from .74 to .89. Because the 9 items that had very poor subscale correlations were clustered on 4 of the 11 original subscales, it was recommended that these subscales be eliminated. The result would be a 31-item scale that measures seven different factors.Authorship is equal.     

Relationship between changes in acute exercise-induced feeling states,self-motivation,and adults' adherence to moderate aerobic exercise

A 14-wk. field study was conducted to estimate a correlation between feeling-state changes induced by moderate (50 to 74% VO2 max; 20 to 30 min.) bouts of cardiovascular exercise and attendance in a new exercise program. Three groups of men and women (ns=22 to 24) were formed for comparative analysis based upon participants' self-motivation (high, medium, low), as measured by the Self-motivation Inventory. Analysis indicated that for the low self-motivation group, attendance was positively correlated with before-to-after exercise difference scores in the Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory subscales of Positive Engagement (r(s)=.48), Revitalization (r(s)=.47). and Tranquility (r(s)=.41) and negatively correlated with difference scores in the Physical Exhaustion subscale (r(s)=-.62). Conversely, for the high self-motivated group generally weaker correlations in the opposite direction were found for each subscale. No definitive pattern was found for the medium self-motivation group. Multiple regression analyses conducted with scores on each Exercise-induced Feeling Inventory subscale supported the moderating effect of Self-motivation Inventory score on exercise attendance: Multiple R2s =.20 to .27. Although limited amounts of the total variance in exercise attendance was explained, practical implications are drawn for prescribing exercise by feeling states. Limitations and replication of results using different types samples and types of exercise are discussed.     

A psychometric examination of the multidimensional perfectionism scale

The Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), developed by Frost, Marten, Lahart, and Rosenblate (1990), was constructed using an all female sample at an elite university. This study examined the psychometric properties of the instrument using a more typical sample (n=278) of college students from a large state university and a small liberal arts college, both located in the South. Significant differences were found on the overall MPS score as well as six of the seven subscales between this sample and that of Frostet al. No gender differences were found for any of the MPS scores. Internal reliability was found to be .88 for the total score, with subtests ranging from .57 to .95. Interscore correlations were relatively consistent with the Frostet al. sample except for a negative correlation between the PS subscale and the total score. There was a strong confirmation of the underlying factor structure reported by Frostet al. The overall impression was that the MPS is a psychometrically sound instrument of potential value in studying the construct of perfectionism.     

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHORT FORM OF THE FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES SCALE

Development and testing of a 36-item version of the Feminist Perspectives Scale are reported. Study 1 ( N = 209) found high internal consistency for Femscore (α= .85). Alpha was greater than .70 for several subscales, although some showed reliability sufficient only for testing large groups. Test-retest correlations for all but one subscale were between .77 and .87. Validity was demonstrated by correlations between short and long forms (Femscore r = .87), among subscales, and with demographic/attitudinal variables. In Study 2 ( N = 95), relationships to the Attitudes toward Women Scale (AWS) and Bern Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) were examined. The AWS was correlated negatively with the Conservative subscale and positively with the Liberal Feminist and Fembehave subscales. BSRI femininity was also positively correlated with the latter two subscales.     

Hindi Translation of the Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire: A Cross-Cultural Replication of Sex Differences

Abstract

The Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ) was translated into Hindi and administered to 246 male and 191 female university students. It measures six animal-learning paradigms corresponding to Gray's (1987) three-emotion systems model of personality. Sex differences previously reported from the United Kingdom and Japan were replicated: Women scored significantly higher on the Active Avoidance and Flight subscales, men on the Approach subscale. In the Indian sample, women scored higher than men on the Extinction subscale; this difference, although in the same direction, was not significant in the United Kingdom and Japan. In India, as in Japan and the United Kingdom, women were relatively punishment sensitive, and men were relatively reward sensitive. Consistent with Gray's model, scores on Fight and Flight subscales were positively correlated, as were Passive Avoidance and Extinction subscale scores; however, contrary to the model were the negative correlation between subscale scores for Approach and Active Avoidance and the positive correlation between subscale scores for Approach and Passive Avoidance, also observed previously in the United Kingdom and Japan.     

A measure of parental stress in mothers with small children: dimensionality, stability and validity

Self-reported parental stress was investigated in three samples of mothers with small children, using a Swedish version of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Dimensionality in experienced stress using items from six PSI Parent Domain subscales and eight new items was examined in factor analyses of data from a nationwide representative sample. Cross-validation proved the chosen factor pattern to be stable. Based on an oblique 5-factor solution new subscales were constructed. A second order factor analysis indicated influence from a higher order factor, seen as a general parental stress construct. High alpha coefficients revealed that homogeneous subscales had been formed. Test-retest correlations indicated good stability over a mean time period of 30 days. Influences from maternal background variables were found, but no relation to child age or gender. Global estimates of parental stress, reported child problems, mothers' scoring on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and two measures of social support all correlated significantly with overall parental stress, and with some subscales. The justification of the subscale approach to parental stress was discussed. It was concluded that the PSI in its present form could be used as a reliable and valid instrument for measuring experienced parental stress in mothers of young children.     

Comparative validity of the MMPI-2 Wiener-Harmon subtle-obvious scales in male prison inmates

The Wiener-Harmon subtle-obvious MMPI subscales (Wiener, 1948; Wiener & Harmon, 1946) have been the subject of considerable debate. In this study, we examined the intercorrelations among full clinical scale T scores and their subtle and obvious subscales in an offender population. Low subtle to full-scale correlations were observed, suggesting that these items contribute little to full-scale scores. Further, we explored the criterion validity of the MMPI-2 subtle-obvious scales in this forensic sample. The results demonstrated that the obvious scales of the MMPI-2 had greater criterion validity than the subtle scales when compared to crime history data. Scores on the subtle subscales were unrelated to crime history. The Ma-O subscale demonstrated the strongest association to crime history data. The findings from this study add to a mounting body of evidence indicating that when respondents are in a position to understand item content, and can therefore provide a direct self-appraisal, responses are most predictive of clinical criteria.     

The Relationship Between Racial and Ethnic Identity in Black Adolescents: The Cross Racial Identity Scale and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure

Ethnic identity and racial identity are related terms that are often used interchangeably, although the theoretical models differ. In this study, we examined the relationship between ethnic identity attitudes operationalized by Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM; Phinney, 1992) scores and racial identity attitudes operationalized by Cross Racial Identity Scale (CRIS; Vandiver et al., 2000) scores in a sample of 143 adolescents. Bivariate analyses indicated that scores on the MEIM's Ethnic Identity subscale had modest positive correlations with Afrocentricity scores of the CRIS and negative correlations with Assimilation and Self-Hatred scores. Other Group Orientation scores from the MEIM were positively related to Multicultural scores on the CRIS and negatively related to Anti-White scores. A canonical correlation yielded 2 interpretable functions labeled Black Racial/Ethnic Identification and Grounded Multiculturalism. Black Racial/Ethnic Identification was characterized by high proethnic and pro-racial scores and low scores on non-ethnic/racial subscales, and Grounded Multiculturalism was characterized by high pro-ethnic scores as well as high pro-other scores.     

Examining the validity of the Academic Motivation Scale by comparing scale construction to self-determination theory

This study examined the construct validity of the Academic Motivation Scale. Specifically, subscale correlations were examined to assess whether support for a continuum of self-determination would be provided. The three types of Intrinsic Motivation were significantly and positively correlated with each other .67, .62, and .58, while the three types of Extrinsic Motivation were significantly and positively intercorrelated .50, .49, and .45. The former subscales, however, correlated higher with Introjected Regulation than Identified Regulation, suggesting that Introjected Regulation may be indicative of more self-determined behavior than has previously been believed. Also, the Intrinsic Motivation To Accomplish subscale had a stronger relationship with two of the Extrinsic Motivation subscales, Identified Regulation and Introjected Regulation, than did the Extrinsic Motivation subscales with each other. This suggests that the differences between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation are not as obvious as has been believed. Also, contrary to self-determination theory, Amotivation had a stronger negative correlation with Identified Regulation (r = -.31) than with any of the Intrinsic Motivation subscales (rs = -.27, -.19, and -.11).     

Underlying correlation structures of parental stress, general health and anxiety

A partial least square regression (PLSR) was performed on the Swedish Parenthood Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ) sum score and subscales on incompetence, role restriction, social isolation, spouse relationship and health problems, using 42 items from the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and 20 items from the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-X1). The dataset contained 227 fathers and 301 mothers of children aged 1.0-6.6 years from a population-based study on parental psychological distress in the general Norwegian population, and all items correlated positively with SPSQ. Subscales on spouse relationship, incompetence, social isolation and role restriction related to items on state anxiety and depression. The SPSQ subscale on health problems related to GHQ items on somatic symptoms and social dysfunction. The STAI-X1 item "not feeling rested" had a particularly important effect on parental stress. Underlying correlation structures between parental stress and items from STAI-X1 and GHQ were explored, but only the SPSQ sum score could be acceptably predicted. PLSR as a statistical methodology was found useful for health and psychometric data.     

Reliability and Validity of a Newly Constructed Multiple-Choice Creativity Instrument

An alternative method for testing creativity was investigated. A multiple-choice paper-and-pencil test called the Abedi–Schumacher Creativity Test (CT) was developed in an attempt to shorten the amount of time required for the administration and scoring of creativity tests. This instrument was translated into Spanish and was administered with the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) and the Villa and Auzmendi Creativity Test (VAT) to 2,270 students in Spain. Teacher ratings of student creativity were also examined. Significant but low correlations were found between the 4 CT subscale scores and the students' academic achievement measures and TTCTsubscale scores. The reliability coefficient of the CT subscale scores was at an acceptable level; however, the correlation coefficients between the CT and the TTCT and VAT were moderate or higher. The results of this study have influenced further modification of the CT test items.     

Measuring Clarity of and Attention to Emotions

To clarify what is actually measured by the trait version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, &; Lushene, 1970), we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of various models and evaluated convergent and discriminant validity. The best fit was obtained with both a bifactor model, comprising 2 specific factors plus a general factor, and a 1-construct, 2-method model. The total score and the 2 method subscales of the STAI trait version were more strongly correlated with depression than with anxiety. In the bifactor model with 2 specific factors, the depression subscale showed stronger correlations with measures of depression than with measures of anxiety. The correlation of the hypothetical anxiety subscale with measures of depression was equivalent to or higher than its correlation with measures of anxiety. These results suggest that the questionnaire does not strictly evaluate anxiety but, rather, negative affect.     

Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale: Development and Initial Evidence

In this study, the Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale (PPGS) was developed with Latter-day Saints (Mormons) across two samples. Sample 1 (N = 421) was used for EFA to select items for the Perceived Standards from God (5 items) and the Perceived Discrepancy from God (5 items) subscales. Sample 2 (N = 420) was used for CFA and cross-validated the 2-factor oblique model as well as a bifactor model. Perceived Standards from God scores had Cronbach alphas ranging from .73 to .78, and Perceived Discrepancy from God scores had Cronbach alphas ranging from .82 to .84. Standards from God scores were positively correlated with positive affect, whereas Discrepancy from God scores was positively correlated with negative affect, shame and guilt. Moreover, these two PPGS subscale scores added significant incremental variances in predicting associated variables over and above corresponding personal perfectionism scores.     

Rating Scales for the Assessment of Empathic Communication in Medical Interviews (REM): Scale Development,Reliability, and Validity

Empathy has been shown to affect the quality of care by enhancing the physician–patient relationship and promoting effective communication. In this study, the newly developed Rating Scales for the Assessment of Empathic Communication in Medical Interviews (REM), designed to assess empathy and confrontation in physician–patient interactions, were subjected to preliminary psychometric testing. Particular attention was paid to face validity, reliability, sensitivity, and practicality. A total of 118 volunteers were asked to assess transcribed interactions between physicians and a standardized patient using the REM. In order to assess the convergent validity of the REM, the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code (MITI) and the Behavior Change Counseling Index (BECCI) were used. Factor analysis identified two subscales, reflecting empathy and confrontation. Interrater reliability coefficients for items ranged from r = .82 to .97; Cronbach’s alphas for the two subscales were .89 and .88, respectively. The convergent validity was supported by substantial correlations between the REM scores and the MITI scores and by significant correlations between the REM scores and the BECCI score. The REM demonstrated good psychometric properties suggesting the rating scales might be useful in clinical practice, research endeavors, and medical education. Further research is necessary to assess the test-retest reliability as well as the predictive validity of this instrument.     

The state-trait anxiety inventory, trait version: does it really measure anxiety?

To clarify what is actually measured by the trait version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970), we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of various models and evaluated convergent and discriminant validity. The best fit was obtained with both a bifactor model, comprising 2 specific factors plus a general factor, and a 1-construct, 2-method model. The total score and the 2 method subscales of the STAI trait version were more strongly correlated with depression than with anxiety. In the bifactor model with 2 specific factors, the depression subscale showed stronger correlations with measures of depression than with measures of anxiety. The correlation of the hypothetical anxiety subscale with measures of depression was equivalent to or higher than its correlation with measures of anxiety. These results suggest that the questionnaire does not strictly evaluate anxiety but, rather, negative affect.     

Psychological and physical variables as predictors of coping strategies

26 women and 17 men between the ages of 26 and 62 yr. of age and diagnosed as having chronic illnesses were administered four questionnaires to assess physical and psychological variables and coping strategies: the Sickness Impact Profile, the Time Reference Inventory, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control. The Jaloweic Coping Scale assessed coping strategies. Canonical correlation indicated a single-factor link (Wilks' lambda) between scores on the first 3 tests, and the subscales of the coping scale. A significant but small correlation of .31 between the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control subscale, Powerful Others, and the coping subscale of Emotion-focused strategies was observed, that with the subscale Chance and the coping subscale confrontive strategies was negative. A second canonical correlation deleting the Time Reference Inventory score of age extension and including the three Sickness Impact Profile subscales was significant and positive for the Composite score and the subscale Palliative of the Jaloweic Coping Scale. Such data suggest that individuals who have a locus of control orientation of Powerful Others respond to chronic illness with emotionally based behaviors. In addition, chronically ill individuals who are physically dysfunctional tend to respond with palliative coping strategies.     

Assessing Alexithymia: Psychometric Properties and Factorial Invariance of the 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale in Nonclinical and Psychiatric Samples

The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is a self-report questionnaire designed to measure the three components of alexithymia; difficulty identifying feelings in the self (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF), and externally orientated thinking (EOT). We examined the scale’s psychometric properties in Australian nonclinical (N = 428) and psychiatric (N = 156) samples. In terms of factorial validity, confirmatory factor analyses found the traditional 3-factor correlated model (DIF, DDF, EOT) to be the best and most parsimonious solution, but it did not reach adequate levels of goodness-of-fit in either sample. Several EOT items loaded poorly on their intended factor, and a reverse-scored item method factor was present; the factor structure of the scale was invariant across both samples. A higher-order factor model (with a single higher-order factor) was slightly inferior to the correlated models, but still tenable. The total scale score and DIF and DDF subscales displayed sound internal consistency, but the EOT subscale did not. We conclude that the TAS-20 has, for the most part, adequate psychometric properties, though interpretation should focus only on the total scale score and DIF and DDF subscales; we recommend the EOT subscale score not be used. Implications for clinical use and future revision of the scale are discussed.